Hardwood floors are the gold standard of flooring, but the price tag can be off-putting for many consumers. If you’re on a tight budget, you can still enjoy the beauty of hardwood flooring at a much more affordable price by purchasing engineered hardwood. One leading brand to consider in your quest for the perfect flooring is Somerset engineered hardwood.
Engineered hardwood flooring like the products offered by Somerset differ from solid hardwood flooring in that it is made using a thin wood veneer affixed to a high-quality piece of plywood. The result is a more affordable flooring product.
But is the money you save on Somerset hardwood flooring worth it… or is it worth investing more in a different brand or type of flooring?
In this guide, we’re going to look at the benefits and drawbacks of Somerset engineered hardwoods. We’ve pored through consumer reviews, the company website, and other resources to help you make the most informed purchasing decision for your flooring project.
Read on to learn more about Somerset engineered hardwoods to determine if this product is right for you.
Is Somerset Engineered Hardwood Durable?
The first question that may pop into your mind is exactly how durable is Somerset engineered hardwood flooring? Because engineered hardwood isn’t a solid piece of wood but instead is a thin wood veneer attached to plywood, products like the ones created by Somerset are less expensive than solid hardwoods. On the flip side, though, engineered hardwoods may not be quite as durable as their solid counterparts.
Somerset offers 1/2 inch SolidPlus Engineered flooring. This flooring looks very similar to Somerset’s line of traditional solid wood floors but with added benefits. You can refinish this engineered flooring if you need to. People install it below grade and over radiant heat, and is more eco-friendly than Somerset’s solid hardwood collections.
Somerset claims that its products are extremely durable and backs up these claims with excellent warranties. All products come with a lifetime structural integrity limited warranty, while all collections also come with a 50-year finish wear layer limited warranty. This is by far one of the best warranties in the industry.
However, everyday use can damage Somerset engineered hardwoods over time. Scratches may occur on the surface of the flooring, which would require professional refinishing. In extreme cases, you may need to replace planks.
To prevent scratches on the surface of your floors, use furniture protectors and coasters on your furniture. Denting may also occur under the weight of heavy furniture. This can be remedied by rearranging furniture from time to time or using furniture coasters.
Engineered hardwoods – like solid hardwoods – can also fade with excessive exposure to sunlight. You can prevent this from happening by using area rugs in sunny areas or using window treatments to block sunlight.
Somerset’s engineered hardwood flooring also will receive damage when exposed to water, so you should not install these floors in a bathroom or other room where moisture is an issue. Doing so may result in warping, buckling, or staining that the warranty does not cover.
While these may seem like a lot of problems, this isn’t exclusive to just Somerset. These problems plague both solid and engineered hardwood flooring.
Where Somerset stands out, however, is that professionals can refinish its floors, while you can’t sand and refinish many other brands of engineered hardwood, resulting in costly replacements.
Is Somerset Engineered Hardwood Affordable?
One of the most important factors in purchasing new flooring is price. How does Somerset stack up to other types of flooring, as well as similar brands?
Let’s first look at the average cost of engineered hardwood floors. Though factors including the retailer you select and the brand you purchase may affect pricing, most consumers spend an average of $3 to $5 per square foot for engineered hardwood flooring – a steal when compared to the higher costs of solid hardwood. Somerset engineered flooring costs on the higher end at about $5 to $6 per square foot.
While Somerset engineered hardwood flooring is much less expensive than other types of flooring, it costs more than many of its competitors when looking at the prices of engineered hardwood. However, the overall quality of Somerset’s engineered floors may be worth the extra expense.
Though the initial cost may be higher, you can refinish Somerset engineered hardwoods. Lower quality brands that have a lower price tag may cost more in the long run because you can’t refinish them and must replace them.
Can I Install Somerset Engineered Flooring Myself?
It’s possible for any consumer to tackle their flooring installation themselves with the right tools, a good set of instructions, and plenty of time on their hands to do the job properly.
Installing Somerset engineered flooring is no exception. Though it may be time-consuming for an inexperienced homeowner, Somerset makes it easier by providing installation guides for its products.
Don’t be fooled, though. Installing Somerset engineered hardwoods can be quite the project.
Steps include testing for moisture, preparing subfloors, laying out the flooring, and cutting planks as needed. You need basic tools as well as a power saw for proper installation.
All of these details are provided by Somerset, including details on installing as a floating floor, using adhesives, and installing with mechanical fasteners.
In most cases, however, you may want to consider hiring a professional installer. Although this will add to your total project costs, you can ensure that your flooring is installed properly, which is extremely important as improperly installed flooring may void your warranty.
Are There Many Styles & Colors Available?
Somerset engineered hardwoods are available in multiple styles and colors to perfectly complement any home. No matter what style you favor – rustic, modern, or traditional, to name a few – Somerset has a flooring product that fits your needs.
You can choose from several flooring collections. The Hand Crafted collection features subtle texture and hand scraping for a traditional yet stylish look. This collection is available in hickory, maple, and oak in a variety of colors.
The Classic collection features Appalachian oak in a variety of tones to suit any household. This collection features traditional styles with lightly textured surfaces.
The Character collection has variations in grain, natural knots, and other markings to provide your space with a truly unique look. You’ll have your choice of multiple colors and species including hickory, maple, walnut, and Appalachian oak.
The Specialty collection features Appalachian hickory and maple that is a more modern take on traditional oak flooring. Like Somerset’s other products, there are multiple color choices available.
If you love Appalachian oak, check out the Color Plank collection. This collection features solid and engineered hardwoods in a range of popular shades.
Finally, if you like the stylish look of wide planks, choose a product from Somerset’s Wide Plank collection. You’ll have your choice of Appalachian oak, maple, and hickory in ultra-wide widths.
As you can see, there is no shortage of styles and colors in Somerset’s collections of engineered hardwood floors. This makes it easy to find the perfect floor for any space.
How Do I Take Care Of My New Floors?
Somerset provides detailed instructions on the care of its engineered floors. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time and money keeping your floors looking their best, you’re in luck. Somerset engineered hardwoods are quite easy to clean and maintain.
The manufacturer recommends sweeping or hardwood vacuuming on a regular basis to keep your floors clean. When your floors need a deeper level of clean, you can use Somerset floor care products to maintain the beauty of your engineered hardwoods. Using the wrong cleaners can damage your floors and void your warranty.
To touch up the surface of your floors, Somerset offers a Touch-Up Kit. If your floors show severe wear or damage, you will need a professional refinishing.
You should always clean up spills promptly and you should never use a wet mop, as this can damage your floors. You should also avoid the use of steam mops, which can cause your engineered wood floors to swell.
FAQ
Somerset hardwood flooring can cost between $4.39 and $6.15 per square foot, but the cost will depend on the collection you choose. The different Somerset hardwood flooring options are made from different species of wood that vary in price.
How much does it cost to put hardwood floors in 1,000 square feet?
If you’re installing hardwood flooring it may cost you between $6,000 and $12,000 for 1,000 square feet. Although the cost can be high, hardwood floors are dense and sturdy. You can also refinish them and apply sealant to provide an extra layer of protection on hardwood floors. This means the cost of hardwood flooring is generally well worth it because of all the benefits it provides.
How do you take care of Somerset hardwood floors?
Somerset recommends that you use their specially formulated care products to maintain your floors. The Somerset Ultimate wood floor cleaner protects and maintains the finish of your hardwood floors and enhances their gloss and color. Using other cleaning products on your Somerset hardwood floors may damage them.
Final Verdict
If you want a low-cost alternative to solid hardwoods, Somerset’s engineered hardwood flooring is a great choice. This flooring is available in many colors and styles, is easy to clean and maintain, and you can even refinish it if needed. Somerset engineered hardwoods are extremely durable and backed with a warranty that’s superior to those of its competitors.
However, these flooring products also have their downsides. Somerset engineered hardwood costs more than other brands of engineered flooring, although you may find that the beauty and quality are worth the additional expense. Installation may also increase your costs, as installing your floors yourself can be challenging and can void your warranty if not done properly.
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I have a engineered wood Somerset floor red Oak. It looked beautiful when installed. The installers did a great job. Only problem is the product is terrible. It dents so easily. Anything you drop will cause a dent. Even something as light as a pen dropping from your hand will dent the floor. It’s only three years old and there are dents all over the floor. Total waste of my hard earned money.
We purchased a townhome that also came with Somerset hardwood floors. We have only been in r place less than 2 yrs. My floor looks awful. Scratches all over the floor. Even if u drop a piece of silverware on the floor a scratch appears. We r not happy with this type of flooring & will never recommend getting this type of floor to anyone. I am very dissatisfied.
I appreciate this article because it’s realistic about engineered hardwood floor. Some of the options out there are great and it’s really nice to be able to adjust for what’s attainable money-wise. As much as I’m a fan of real hardwood floors, I accompanied a good friend the other day to choose engineered hardwood because it was right for his budget. Shared this with him too.
Agree completely. With how realistic the newest engineered hardwood floors look, it almost always makes sense to check them out. Often, you can find flooring that looks just as great and can be installed at a fraction of the cost of real wood. And many buyers cannot tell the difference.
Most engineered hardwood floors I see at Home Depot are manufactured in China. Prices could range from $3 to 7 per sq ft . Where do I find distributors of Somerset, Reagal, Hallmark Floors, Hoskins, Tesoro, Harris, Hurst engineered hardwood floors in Toronto ON. Thanks
I hope I’m not to late scratch Somerset from you list it is awful I have 5000 sq ft of it 1 year old I’m having to replace. Somerset never even came to look at it and offered 750.00 to solve the problem. It is crap
What kind of problem were you having with your flooring? I’m having some issues with mine also
Mine is Fading and discoloration. How about yours?