The location of where you will install your new hardwood floor can be divided into three categories:
• On Grade - at ground level
• Above Grade - any second level or higher
• Below Grade - any floor below ground level, including basements or sunken living rooms.
The construction of an ENGINEERED hardwood gives it enhanced structural stability and moisture resistance that allows it to be installed at any grade level. Engineered is produced with three to five layers of hardwood. Each layer is stacked in a cross-grain configuration and bonded together under heat and pressure. As a result, engineered wood flooring is less likely to be affected by changes in humidity.
Traditional SOLID hardwood flooring, however, is not as well suited for high-moisture areas such as bathrooms or below-grade installations because it expands and contracts with changes in your home’s relative humidity.