I am about to have it installed--glued to vinyl over concrete. Moisture level OK. Does it wear well? Does it dent easily? What are the pros and cons on engineered flooring?
I am a kitchen designer and have experience working with and selling flooring as well. A lot of my clients are doing wood or engineered wood in the kitchen these days. The way I see it, every type of flooring has its pros and cons. Tile for example, is very resisitant to water damage and seems perfect for a kitchen environment! However, it comes with its draw backs; it chips if you drop something on it and it cracks as the house settles. It is also cold. Some people will do vinyl in the kitchen (some people call it linolium). This product holds up well to foot traffic, but it is a soft material. If you drop a knife on it, it will stick right in. Then you've got wood and engineered wood. Some people shy away from these products because they think they will get seriously water damaged. My opinion; no need to worry. Obviously, if you have a major leak under the sink or dishwasher, address it quickly. You should address something like that quickly REGARDLESS of what type of floor is under it. But as far as a little bit of water goes...like you drop a beverage on the floor, don't worry about it. Clean it up, but don't panic. If it sits there for a few minutes while you go find a towel or sponge, its no big deal. If your dog comes in out of the rain and leaves a puddle you don't notice for an hour or two, don't worry. The wood/ engineered wood is tightly sealed. It will not start disolving and warping before your eyes! It holds up just fine. The advantage of engineered wood over hardwood? You don't have to refinish it. It doesn't wear down the way hardwood does. Engineered wood floors have been very popular in Europe for a long time. Much longer than its been around in the states. It's actually an old and reliable technology, so don't worry. It would have gone out of style a long time ago if it didn't work. So rest assured you've made a good choice! Good luck and enjoy :)
know dont think i have lol tc
