CasaVerde: Engineered vs Hardwood Flooring

Hi Everyone-
We're back after our brief, summer jaunts!....Here's some house-keeping updates:

• Bante Design now has its own YouTube channel! Check it out & subscribe to be kept up-to-date on all new video postings. Feng Shui and healthy home "video minis" and interviews of those in the know will be added. Check it out here.
• We have "rebranded" the CasaVerde website to DeAnnaRadaj.com.  This site will be everything that I'm working on: CasaVerde, Feng Shui Fabulous, my blog, videos and new programs. This is different from the Bante Design site in that its focus is on the other "non design related" projects I work on.
• I'm now the Furniture Examiner for Examiner.com. Check out & subscribe to my column and read what's hot in furniture and other design trends.
• We are also able to stream LIVE video via uStream. If you want this as an option for DURING the radio show, let me know and we'll set up. We'll also be using this for workshops, mastermind groups and other projects.

OK...on to the subject at hand...most people think as engineered flooring as cheap & inexpensive...while it is cheaper than hardwood (in most cases) it is due to the ENTIRE plank not being made of hardwood.  When deciding between engineered vs hardwood flooring, look at HOW the bottom, unseen portion of the engineered plank is put together...Is it just 1 piece of a softwood (birch?) with a 4/5" piece of hardwood attached?  (NOT good) Or is it at  LEAST 3 pieces of a softwood laid in a criss-cross pattern, for stability with a hardwood piece attached? 

***You want AT LEAST 3 layers of wood criss-crossed for stability and to help increase floor durability & lifetime.  This will also help to minimize the expansion/contraction of the wood due to humidity fluctuations in the space.***

Also, when deciding what to purchase, that you can only sand/stain hardwood up to 3x to change the look or repair scratches until you hit the nails and subfloor.  This is where you have to weigh the "waste" factor as in hardwood flooring, this unseen, bottom portion IS hardwood.  In engineered flooring this is the softwood-so not so much waste and not as expensive.

Lastly, something new in flooring is the laser jet cutting capability that is being used to "laser cut" designs into the wood and inlaying other species of wood, or even stone or metal for a REALLY unique look.  A design is scanned into a computer, and the machine literally cuts out the design in the wood that is fed through...It's AMAZING!  This is perfect for foyers, hallways or even dining rooms where you can "cut" a rug to help anchor the table.  While rather expensive, this is an incredible way to create a focal point, make your mark on your home and add something that not many people currently have in their home.  If interested, see waht cost would be to do ina small space and go from there.  I've also seen designs where they utilize this for a "border" around a room and then lay a traditional wood floor for the body of the room.

***Check out Paris Ceramics and ITLAS for their flooring offerings***

Until next time....DeAnna