Engineered Hardwood Floors - are several layers of wood stacked and glued together under heat and pressure to form a wood plank. They range in thickness from 5/16” to 9/16” and from 2 ¼” to 7” in width. Engineered planks are usually made from 3 to 7 layers (plies) stacked with grains running perpendicular to each other then laminated together to become one board. The top finish layer can be cut from a variety of domestic or exotic hardwood species and are generally factory prefinished with polyurethane or an aluminum oxide finish. The cross-graining lamination process results in a flooring product that is dimensionally stable and not greatly affected by moisture, compared to solid wood floors. These floors do not expand and contract like solid wood products. Engineered wood is more dimensionally stable than solid hardwood because the layers keep the movement in balance. Because it is less inclined to swell and shrink, engineered wood can be installed in areas where solid wood cannot, such as over concrete or in high-moisture areas. It can easily be used in kitchens, powder rooms and utility rooms. Engineered floors can be installed on any grade level of the home; below grade, on grade or above grade. Installation options are nail down, staple down, glue down, or floating.