• Solid Hardwood: Milled from a single solid piece of timber. While it can be sanded multiple times, solid wood is prone to warping, cupping, and gapping when exposed to subterranean moisture or Pacific Northwest seasonal humidity shifts. It cannot be installed over concrete slabs or radiant heat.
• Engineered Hardwood: Features a real hardwood top veneer (lamella) bonded over a multi-ply cross-grained wood core. This cross-ply construction gives it exceptional dimensional stability, resisting moisture and temperature changes. It can be installed on any level of the home, including over concrete slabs and over radiant heating.
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Yes, depending on the thickness of the top real wood wear layer (lamella):

• 1mm–2mm Wear Layer: Cannot be fully sanded; can only be lightly screened and recoated.
• 3mm–4mm Wear Layer: Can be fully sanded and refinished 1 to 2 times over its lifespan.
• 5mm–6mm Wear Layer: Equivalent to solid hardwood; can be sanded and refinished 3 to 4 times.

We recommend choosing engineered planks with a minimum 3mm to 4mm wear layer for long-term durability.

er be installed directly over a below-grade concrete slab. Solid wood naturally absorbs subterranean moisture and ground humidity, causing the planks to warp, cup, buckle, and harbor mold over time. If you desire real wood aesthetics, high-grade 100% waterproof LVP or specialized engineered hardwood with a moisture-sealed subfloor assembly are the recommended alternatives.

The best installation method depends on your subfloor:

• Full-Coverage Glue-Down: The gold standard over concrete slabs. Using flexible elastomeric adhesives bonds the floor securely while providing an integrated sound and moisture barrier.
• Nail-Down (with Assist Glue): Ideal over wood subfloors. Cleat-nailing combined with serpentine adhesive lines ensures a rock-solid, squeak-free floor.
• Floating: Planks are clicked or glued together over an acoustic underlayment pad. Good for quick installations or over sound-rated condo subfloors.

Yes! Engineered hardwood is the preferred wood flooring option for heated flooring systems. Its cross-ply core structure minimizes the expansion and contraction caused by under-floor heat. We ensure that heating thermostats are set with a maximum floor limit (typically 80°F–82°F) to protect the wood finish.

Engineered hardwood is easy to maintain. Sweep or vacuum regularly using a soft brush attachment (avoid vacuum beater bars). Clean spills immediately. Mop as needed using a damp microfiber mop with a pH-neutral hardwood cleaner. Never use steam mops, wet string mops, harsh chemical detergents, or wax-based polishes, as standing water and harsh chemicals can dull or damage the protective factory finish.

An engineered hardwood installation typically takes 3 to 6 days of active on-site work for a 1,000-square-foot footprint, following a mandatory 3- to 5-day on-site material acclimation period. This includes subfloor prep, adhesive/nailing application, plank setting, stair wrapping, and baseboard installation.

Installing engineered hardwood correctly requires precise subfloor leveling, moisture testing, and master finish carpentry that go far beyond basic floor laying. A low-tier installer who skips subfloor moisture barriers or fails to acclimate wood will cause planks to buckle, cup, or hollow within months. Levite Construction Co. is a full-service, licensed design-build general contractor. We handle every step with precision subfloor prep, elastomeric moisture protection, premium materials, and master trade execution built to stay flat, quiet, and beautiful for generations.