We are in the beginning stages of remodeling at least half our home at one time. We want hardwood, but thought we could cut cost by buying engineered. Can anyone give me an idea of what to look for when I'm guaging wear layer on engineered wood?

Quality engineered floors cost as much or more than solid hardwood flooring. Depending on where you live, having unfinished flooring installed, sanded and finished in place may be less than factory finished floors. In the south, labor costs are less for site finish than on the west coast.

As Gary says much depends on where you live. Engineered hardwood is generally more expensive than solid. Where I'm from (Ontario Canada) prefinished solid 3/4" is less money installed than 3/4" site finished.

Art

Engineered is a good choice if... Your going over concrete, or you have moisture problems in a basement, or crawl space, and still there is a limit on the amount of moisture.

Other then that, solid hardwood will be less expensive, because of the milling process only for a solid, unlike the construction time to make an engineered board, before it gets milled.

The only reason engineered was ever made, is because concrete foundations, became the norm, in most regions of the nation.

Engineered floors with birch plywood is a good choice, more stable and no distortion.