Engineered hardwood is made of layers with 100% natural wood on top, wood on the bottom, and a highly stable core in the middle. The core consists of 5 to 7 layers of plywood, pressed together in a crisscrossed pattern. It’s what makes engineered hardwood flooring less likely to shift, expand or contract when exposed to environmental changes in temperature, moisture and humidity.

Engineered hardwood offers many of the same design options as solid. Additionally, you may find designs that are only possible with engineered wood, such as softer exotic species, specialty textures, certain surface treatments, color effects and extra-wide planks.

Engineered hardwood flooring can go in the same rooms as solid hardwood, but its engineered construction also makes it a great choice for basements and over radiant heating and concrete floors. (Still, avoid bathrooms and laundry rooms.) Because engineered hardwood is slightly thinner than most solid hardwood, it can also be good for projects where your hardwood floor needs to match the height of an adjoining floor or accommodate a thin space beneath kitchen appliances.