MSI's Engineered Hardwood Flooring Faqs Answered: Everything You Need To Know

Ladson^™ Clayborne Engineered Wood Flooring

At MSI, we understand that choosing the right flooring for your home is a significant decision. Engineered hardwood flooring has become increasingly popular due to its durability, versatility, and stunning appearance. In this comprehensive FAQ guide, we answer the most common questions about MSI's engineered hardwood flooring to help you make an informed decision.

What is Engineered Hardwood?

McCarran^™ Milledge Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered hardwood is a type of flooring that consists of multiple layers, with a top layer of real hardwood veneer bonded to a core of engineered materials. This construction provides greater stability and moisture resistance compared to solid hardwood, while still offering the natural beauty and warmth of genuine wood flooring.

MSI's Engineered Flooring Collection includes the Ladson and McCarran collections, featuring 100% real wood from top to bottom. These luxury hardwood floors have an engineered core, making them highly stable in various environments. With a satin finish and MSI-exclusive CrystaLux Ultra^™ Protection, they offer a protective finish that ensures ultimate durability and longevity, guarding against everyday wear and tear. Additionally, these flooring options are slip-resistant, creating a safe environment for all family members, and are backed by industry-leading warranty options for added peace of mind.

MSI offers two main collections of engineered hardwood:

Ladson Collection: The Ladson collection features engineered hardwood planks measuring 7.5" x 75" with varying lengths. It has a 1/2" engineered construction with a 2MM top layer of premium sliced cut wood.

McCarran Collection: The McCarran collection offers ultra-wide engineered hardwood planks measuring 9.5" x 86" with varying lengths. It has a 5/8" engineered construction with a 4MM top layer of premium sawn cut wood.

Both collections are engineered with MSI's exclusive CrystaLux Ultra^™ finish, a durable protective coating that provides superior resistance against everyday wear and tear, scratches, dents, and stains.

How to Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors?

To keep your MSI engineered hardwood floors looking their best, follow these cleaning tips:

- Sweep or vacuum daily to remove dirt and debris

- Use a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for hardwood floors

- Avoid harsh chemicals, excessive water, and steam mops which can damage the finish

- Clean up spills immediately with a slightly damp cloth

- Use rugs and mats in high-traffic areas for added protection

- See full care and maintenance guide for details

Can You Sand and Refinish Engineered Hardwood?

Ladson^™ Tualatin Blonde Engineered Wood Flooring

The ability to sand and refinish engineered hardwood depends on the thickness of its wear layer. Here's a breakdown of the refinishing potential based on wear layer thickness:

- .5 to 1mm wear layer: Cannot be sanded and refinished. These floors can only be recoated with a layer of urethane to refresh their appearance.

- 2 to 3mm wear layer: Can be lightly sanded and refinished 1 to 2 times over its lifespan.

- 4mm wear layer: Provides the most durability, supporting 2 to 3 rounds of sanding and refinishing throughout its lifetime.

For MSI's engineered hardwood collections, it is recommended to keep the original Crystalux Ultra^™ finish intact for optimal performance.  However, if desired, the Ladson series features a 2mm top layer, which means it can typically be refinished 1-2 times. The McCarran collection, with its thicker 4mm top layer, offers even more longevity, potentially allowing for 2-3 refinishing cycles. Always consult with a flooring professional before attempting to sand or refinish your engineered hardwood to ensure the best results and avoid damaging the floor.

How to Install Engineered Hardwood?

There are various ways you can install engineered wood, from full spread adhesion to stapling/nailing, or even floating.  It is a very high performing and versatile product.  See MSI’s engineered hardwood installation instructions for full details.

Is Engineered Hardwood Waterproof?

Engineered hardwood is not a waterproof product. Standing water and excessive moisture can damage engineered floors over time. Clean up spills promptly and avoid installing in areas prone to frequent water exposure. For waterproof options visit the Everlife® product range at www.everlifeflooring.com.

Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring Real Wood?

McCarran^™ Thornburg Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring combines the aesthetic appeal of traditional hardwood with improved durability and dimensional stability. This innovative flooring solution consists of multiple layers, with a genuine hardwood veneer as the topmost layer, providing an authentic wood appearance and texture. The core of engineered hardwood is composed of plywood layers arranged with their grains perpendicular to each other. This cross-layered structure is the key to its enhanced stability and resistance to environmental changes. The manufacturing process involves bonding these layers using heat and pressure, resulting in a product that is less prone to warping or expansion compared to solid hardwood.

How Long Does Engineered Hardwood Last?

With proper care and maintenance, engineered hardwood flooring can last a lifetime and beyond in residential settings. Longevity factors include quality of the product, wear layer thickness, amount of foot traffic, and wear-and-tear.

Engineered floors with thicker wear layers can last longer because they can be refinished multiple times.

What Does MSI's Engineered Hardwood Warranty Cover and How Long Is the Warranty?

MSI offers comprehensive warranty coverage for its Ladson^™ and McCarran^™ engineered hardwood flooring collections. Both series come with a lifetime limited structural warranty, ensuring the integrity of the flooring's construction over time. For the Ladson^™ series, MSI provides a 30-year limited residential warranty and a 5-year light commercial warranty. The McCarran^™ series offers a lifetime limited residential warranty and a 10-year light commercial warranty. These warranties protect against manufacturing defects and guarantee that the wood surface will not wear through under normal use conditions. It's important to note that the warranty applies only to the original purchaser and is non-transferable, see full warranty for details.

McCarran^™ Whitlock Engineered Wood Flooring

MSI's engineered hardwood flooring collections offer a perfect blend of beauty, durability, and practicality for modern homes and light commercial spaces. With their innovative construction and advanced protective features, these floors provide long-lasting performance while maintaining the timeless appeal of natural wood. Whether you're renovating your home or working on a commercial project, MSI's engineered hardwood options present a versatile and stylish flooring solution.

Want to learn more about MSI's W Engineered Hardwood Flooring? Chat with us online, visit a nearby MSI showroom, or find a local authorized MSI retailer for more information. Our experts are ready to help you choose the perfect flooring solution for your space and guide you through the selection and installation process.