When it comes to flooring options, engineered wood stands out as a popular choice for many homeowners, especially when compared to the high price of traditional wood flooring options.
Seamlessly blending organic natural beauty with phenomenal durability and longevity, the best engineered wood floors make for a versatile flooring material for use in a variety of spaces throughout your home.
However, it’s very important to note that not all engineered wood flooring is created equally, which makes it important to understand what goes into making the best-engineered wood flooring. That way, you can make an informed decision on which brand and style is best suited for use in your home.
With that in mind, here’s what you need to know about finding the best engineered wood floor for your needs, as well as our top product pick from the best engineered wood flooring brands in our range!
What goes into making the best engineered wood floors?
Before highlighting our top picks from the best engineered wood flooring brands, let’s first dive into the key elements that contribute to making a high-quality engineered wood flooring product.
Below are the four most important areas to consider when looking to buy this flooring material:
1. The wear layer
The top surface of every engineered wood plank, the wear layer is typically formed of a singular piece of solid hardwood designed to match or closely mimic the styles of traditional wood planks while also providing durability and strength to the product in question.
As the name implies, the wear layer needs to be able to withstand the daily wear and tear that comes with constant home foot traffic. So, by opting for a reputable brand, you can be sure that you’re purchasing an engineered wood product that uses 100% solid hardwood in its wear layer for maximum resilience.
2. The undercore
Sitting directly beneath the wear layer, the undercore layer plays perhaps the most crucial role in determining how stable your new floorboards will be. After all, the weaker your plank’s core, the more likely it is to break or sink.
For this reason, the majority of premium brands use a multi-laminate hardwood ply for their engineered wood undercores, enhancing the floor’s structural integrity through precise layering for greater stability and longevity.
3. The finish
As you may have already seen, engineered wood flooring is available in a variety of finishes, each of which offers a distinct aesthetic and protective properties to match your home décor and extend its lifespan.
For example, some boards are pre-treated with a stained finish, adding colour and character to the wood to create a polished wood effect. Alternatively, others are styled to showcase the natural beauty of the timber through minimal interference.
Unlike the wear layer and undercore, the right finish for your engineered wood planks depends entirely on your preferences and your current home décor, so you should take the time to browse what’s available so you can find the right finish to complete your desired flooring style.
4. Ease of installation
While not directly related to the physical properties of engineered wood, how easy your chosen planks are to install can play a major role in whether or not they are the best engineered wooded floor for your particular project.
From glued installation to tongue-and-groove or click systems, there are numerous installation methods out there, and some are certainly more user-friendly than others. However, opting for a method like click-flooring can save time, money, and effort during the purchase and fitting process.
Our favourite engineered wood products of 2025
From real wood tops to ambience-improving aesthetics, here are our top engineered wood planks of 2025 that can suit any home décor: