Many of the engineered woods I have seen look barely better than a laminate. Are there any you can recommend that one would be hard pressed to tell from a solid wood install?? Manufacturer, model?
I am interested in an engineered floor, but have not yet seen one that impresses me. I got samples from BR111 of their Triangulo and then I also got a sample of the same wood in a solid and there is no doubt that the solid looks much better! I am interested in a medium/darker toned wood with definite reddish highlights after it has matured. Our location will have very little, if any UV if that makes a difference. I loved Bloodwood, the Santos Mahogany and also liked the Amendoim from the magazine photo I saw, but the sample was much lighter (all BR111).
I don't want to say that cost is no object, but since we expect to live in the house for 30+ years, we are willing to pay for an engineered product that looks and wears at the top levels. Your help and experience are appreciated!

Hi,
I am also wondering about the same thing. I was thinking about BR111 Triangulo Engineered Santos Mahogany but when I compare the sample to the solid, it is so much different. The solid has lots of color variation, and the engineered did not. It was all one color and just not as impressive overall. I don't know what to do and I have to decide in one week. I really hope someone will chime in here and give us their opinions.

I was looking at Hartco the other day and I thought the engineered and solid samples almost looked the same.

Owens Plank
Mirage
Mullican
Lauzon
Studio B

Thank You Floorguy!!

A lot depends on the wear layer. The thicker 3-5 mm top wear layer products are so much nicer and give you the depth to look exactly like solid 3/4 wood. Most of the cheaper engineered stuff has a rotary "sliced" top layer - it's not sawn cut.

But even some products that have a very thick top layer and a 7-10 multi ply backing can still look "plasticky". The top coat and how they apply it can make a big difference in how the product looks. So you'll just have to get some different samples.

The names are much appreciated!! Thank you.

Also, tried to find the Studio B on the Bruce website and wasn't able to locate any with that designation.

slew,

Feel free to PM me. I have a few brand names I can pass along to you that are quite nice that I got samples of, especially if you like Santos.

I tried the PM but maybe it didn't get through.

Would love to get some names!!

Do a google for Bruce Studio B. It came up with a lot of hits.

Even the search on Bruces website had 56 hits, but I could not go anywhere from there to find them.

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Studio B no longer exists (almost for two years based on this reply to my e-mail to Armstrong)

"Thank you for contacting Armstrong World Industries, Inc. The product
listed below has been discontinued September of 2005. "

Yeah, that's a shame. 1/4" solid sawn hardwood veneer over 9 ply baltic birch plywood backing. An excellent floor. It was called Phoenix when is was sold by Firebird (also now defunct). It was an import made in Holland and was reasonably priced till Bruce got it and added 3 bucks a foot to the cost. Who knows, maybe Armstrong just bought it to get rid of some competition.

Gary, any suggestions for other engineered hardwood that has a deep top layer and looks great in the Santos Mahogany, Jotoba, Bloodwood kinds of family?? Previous recommendations on this board have been:
Owens Plank
Mirage
Mullican
Lauzon

Those are all good but I'd have to give a nod to Owen's and have it finished in place.