Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered Wood Flooring Installation & Replacement

FLOORecki installs engineered hardwood flooring throughout Chicago and the suburbs — a stable, real-wood option built for basements, over concrete, over radiant heat, and anywhere solid hardwood isn't the right fit.

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Floors + Stairs Specialist

Engineered hardwood is real wood — a genuine hardwood veneer bonded to a multi-layer engineered core. It looks and feels like solid hardwood once installed, but the layered construction makes it far more dimensionally stable in conditions where solid wood struggles: below-grade installations, over concrete slabs, and rooms with radiant floor heating.

We've installed engineered wood throughout Chicago and the North Shore — from full main-floor replacements to basement installations where solid hardwood simply wasn't an option. It's a real-wood floor with the practical flexibility solid hardwood can't offer in every situation.

Recent project: A 1,800 sq ft engineered hardwood replacement on the North Shore (Wilmette/Winnetka area) — full main-level replacement with on-site evaluation of subfloor condition before installation.

Engineered Wood vs Solid Hardwood

✓ Choose Engineered Wood When:

→ Installing in a basement or below-grade room
→ Installing directly over a concrete slab
→ Your home has radiant floor heating
→ Moisture levels in the subfloor are a concern
→ You want wide plank widths (8"+) without the stability risk of solid wood
→ You want a faster installation with prefinished options

Choose Solid Hardwood When:

→ Installing on a wood subfloor, above grade
→ You want the option to refinish many times over decades
→ Matching existing solid hardwood elsewhere in the home
→ Budget allows and stability isn't a concern

Where Engineered Wood Makes the Most Sense

🏠

Basements & Lower Levels

More resistant to the humidity fluctuations common below grade than solid hardwood.

🧱

Over Concrete Slabs

Can be installed directly over concrete with proper vapor barrier — solid hardwood typically can't.

🔥

Radiant Floor Heating

The engineered core handles the expansion and contraction from heat cycling far better than solid wood.

📏

Wide Plank Installations

Wide plank (7"-9"+) engineered flooring is far more stable than the same width in solid hardwood.

Our Process

Every engineered wood project starts with an on-site evaluation — checking subfloor condition, moisture levels, and whether a vapor barrier is needed before installation. We test moisture in both the existing subfloor and the new material, and acclimate the flooring to your home's conditions before installation begins.

Installation method depends on the specific product and substrate — engineered wood can be glued down, floated, or in some cases nailed, depending on the core construction and what's beneath it. We handle all install methods and recommend the right approach for your specific situation rather than defaulting to one method for every job.

Installation Methods We Use

Engineered wood is most commonly installed using glue-down (full-spread adhesive — required over concrete and for wide plank) or floating floor systems (planks click together over a foam underlayment — common in basements). The right method depends on your subfloor and the specific product. For a full breakdown of all four hardwood installation methods — including nail-down and staple-down used for solid wood — see our Installation Methods guide.

Typical Pricing

Estimated ranges — engineered wood installation

Installation labor $3.00 – $5.00 / sq ft

Material (engineered, per sq ft) $4.00 – $9.00 / sq ft

Vapor barrier (over concrete, if needed) $0.50 – $1.00 / sq ft

Old flooring removal $0.75 – $2.00 / sq ft

Engineered wood material typically costs 15–25% less than solid hardwood in the same species. Final pricing depends on substrate condition, moisture testing results, and installation method required. Use our Instant Quote tool for a ballpark estimate.

Common Questions

Can engineered wood be refinished like solid hardwood?

It depends on the wear layer thickness. Engineered wood with a thicker wear layer (2mm+) can typically be lightly sanded and refinished once, sometimes twice. Thinner wear layers (under 2mm) generally can't be sanded — they're designed to be cleaned and recoated instead. We can check your specific product's wear layer during an evaluation.

Is engineered wood as durable as solid hardwood?

The wear surface is real hardwood, so day-to-day durability against scratches and wear is similar to solid wood with the same species and finish. The difference is in long-term refinishing flexibility — solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished many more times over its life than engineered flooring.

Do I need a vapor barrier for installation over concrete?

In many cases, yes. We test moisture levels in the concrete slab before installation. Depending on the reading, a vapor barrier is required between the slab and the new flooring to prevent moisture-related issues down the road. This isn't an optional upsell — it's based on the actual moisture test results for your specific slab.

What's the difference in cost between engineered and solid hardwood?

Engineered wood material typically runs 15–25% less than solid hardwood in the same species, since less premium wood is used per square foot in the engineered core construction. Installation labor is comparable between the two, though the specific install method (glue-down vs floating vs nail-down) can affect labor pricing.

Can you match engineered wood to my existing solid hardwood floors?

We can get very close in species and stain color, though an exact match between engineered and solid hardwood isn't always perfect due to differences in how the wear layer takes stain compared to solid wood. We bring samples and do a test area before committing to the full installation so you can see the match in your home's lighting.