Engineered hardwood sales and installation in the Colorado mountains
Real wood on top, a layered core underneath. Engineered hardwood is a common choice in mountain homes. Here is how to choose one, and how we install it.
What engineered hardwood is
Engineered hardwood has a real wood surface bonded to a layered core. The layered build is designed to move less than solid wood as temperature and humidity change, which matters in a climate with very dry winters.
It is not maintenance free. It still reacts to the air in the house, and it still scratches. Ask to see samples of the finish you are considering in a real room.
We install wood floors to NWFA standards
The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) publishes installation standards and guidelines for wood floors. Our own crews install wood floors to NWFA standards. That includes checking the subfloor, planning how the floor will be installed, and following the manufacturer's instructions for the product you pick.
Things to ask about in the mountains
- Acclimation: ask the manufacturer's guidance on how long the boxes should sit in the house before installation, and what indoor humidity they expect.
- Subfloor: slab or wood subfloor, and how flat and dry it is, changes how the floor goes down. We look at this during the measure.
- Radiant heat: tell us up front. Not every engineered product is listed for use over radiant heat, and manufacturers set limits on how the floor is heated.
- Sun: strong sun at altitude can change the color of wood near big windows over time. Window coverings and rugs help.
- Wear layer and finish: the thickness of the top layer decides whether a floor can be refinished later, and the finish affects scratch resistance. Ask for both on every sample you like.
Vacation homes
If the house is empty for weeks at a time, big swings in indoor temperature and humidity are harder on wood. Tell us how you heat the house when you are away and we will talk through it.
How the job works
Free estimate, samples brought to your home, measure, installation by our own crews, and a walkthrough when we finish. Removal of the old floor is included when you choose Spectra installation, and removal, prep and installation come in one quote, so you are not managing several trades.
Shaw brands for this floor
- Shaw Floors: The flagship residential brand of Shaw Industries.
- Anderson Tuftex: A Shaw Industries brand sold through specialty retailers.
We are an authorized Shaw Floors dealer. About Shaw brands.
Get your free estimate
For samples, call or text Ryan at (970) 368-4958. We bring samples to your home, measure, and install with our own crews. Removal of the old floor is included, and you get one quote.
To schedule an estimate, call the store nearest you.
Request a free estimateEngineered hardwood: questions
- Do you install engineered hardwood to NWFA standards?
- Yes. Our own crews install wood floors to National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) standards.
- Is engineered hardwood better than solid hardwood in the mountains?
- Engineered hardwood is built in layers to move less with changes in humidity, which is why it is often chosen where air is dry. Which one is right depends on your subfloor, your heating and the look you want. We can go through it during your free estimate.
- Can engineered hardwood go over radiant heat?
- Some products are listed for it and some are not. The manufacturer's instructions decide. Tell us if you have radiant heat so we only show you styles that fit.
- Which Shaw brands make hardwood?
- Shaw Floors makes hardwood and Anderson Tuftex makes engineered hardwood. We can stock or order both and bring samples of each.