Engineered hardwood flooring is a product segment growing in popularity, with its value-driven price-point enticing consumers and its installation flexibility making it seem like a no-nonsense product for installers and contractors. We spoke with manufacturers of engineered hardwood flooring adhesives, installation tools and moisture meters to find out the best way to lay this type of floor down.

Adhesives. Gregory Wood, president of Advanced Adhesive Technologies (AAT), said the biggest mistake he sees installers and contractors make is not properly prepping the subfloor. “Making certain the subfloor is protected from moisture and is dry, according to the floor and adhesive manufacturers, is mission critical,” he said. “Engineered floors, while more stable than solid milled flooring, will be adversely affected by moisture.”