Engineered Wood

The best alternative to natural wood flooring is engineered or laminated wood. Using the same wood species as real wood planks, engineered wood comes in different tones that very much resemble the real ones. They can also be mixed and matched for an interesting look.
Although quite expensive, this wood has been processed or “engineered” with better wear protection than natural wood. They also have high tolerance for scratches and impacts. If ever they are bruised, most engineered wood flooring can be sanded and refinished like real wood as they have a thick wear layer. They are also the best to use in areas prone to spills and moisture, like kitchens since they have very high moisture resistance.
Installation of engineered wood is just like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Their edges are routered with tongue and groove joints, locking together effectively. Hence, most do not require adhesives for installation, although some do require nailing and gluing down. One of its advantages is that it can be installed on top of other flooring materials like ceramic or vinyl, making it unnecessary to dismantle old flooring.