National Hardwood Flooring & Moulding supplies engineered flooring to contractors, homeowners, and designers throughout Southern California. Our Van Nuys showroom stocks engineered wood planks in domestic and imported species, with options for prefinished and unfinished surfaces. As an engineered hardwood supplier serving the region since 1984, we provide materials and installation support for residential renovations, commercial build-outs, and multi-unit projects.
Engineered flooring consists of a hardwood veneer layer bonded to a core of plywood or high-density fiberboard. The veneer provides the visible surface and determines the floor’s appearance, while the layered core provides dimensional stability.
The cross-grain construction of engineered flooring resists expansion and contraction caused by humidity changes. Each layer of the core runs perpendicular to adjacent layers, counteracting the natural tendency of wood to move with moisture fluctuations. This engineering makes the product suitable for installation environments where solid hardwood would be prone to cupping, crowning, or gapping.
Engineered wood planks are manufactured in various thicknesses, typically ranging from 3/8 inch to 3/4 inch total. The hardwood veneer layer varies from 1 millimeter to 6 millimeters depending on the product line. Thicker veneers allow for refinishing, extending the floor’s service life.
Engineered flooring performs in conditions that limit or prohibit the use of solid hardwood.
Basements and lower-level living spaces experience higher ambient humidity than above-grade floors. Engineered flooring accommodates these conditions with less movement than solid wood, reducing the risk of gaps forming between planks during dry periods or buckling during humid seasons.
Condominiums, apartments, and commercial spaces often feature concrete slab construction. Engineered flooring can be glued directly to concrete with appropriate moisture barriers, eliminating the need for plywood underlayment required by many solid hardwood products.
The layered construction of engineered flooring handles the temperature fluctuations of radiant heating systems. Solid hardwood can develop checking and cracking when installed over radiant heat, while engineered products maintain stability through heating cycles.
Kitchens, bathrooms adjacent to bedrooms, and spaces with variable climate control benefit from the dimensional stability of engineered flooring. The product responds to humidity changes with less dramatic expansion and contraction than solid wood.
Our engineered flooring, French Galerie, Country French, French Villa’s inventory includes products across price points and appearance profiles.
We stock engineered flooring in oak, maple, walnut, hickory, ash, and imported species including Brazilian cherry, mahogany, and acacia. Oak remains the most requested species for residential installations, available in red oak and white oak varieties.
Standard engineered planks measure 3 to 5 inches in width. Wide-plank options extend to 7 inches and beyond for installations requiring a different scale. Plank lengths vary by manufacturer and product line.
Our inventory includes prefinished engineered flooring with factory-applied stains and protective coatings. Prefinished products reduce installation time and eliminate on-site finishing dust and odors. We also stock unfinished engineered flooring for contractors applying custom stains and finishes to match existing woodwork.
Prefinished products feature matte, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss finishes. Surface textures include smooth, hand-scraped, wire-brushed, and distressed options for design flexibility.
Engineered flooring grades describe the appearance characteristics of the hardwood veneer layer. Grade classifications follow the same system used for solid hardwood.
Clear and select grades feature consistent color throughout the plank with minimal visible knots, mineral streaks, or color variation. These grades suit installations where uniformity is the design priority.
Common grades display more natural character, including knots, color variation, and mineral deposits. These grades cost less than clear grades and provide a traditional hardwood appearance for homes and commercial spaces.
Character grades include larger knots, filled imperfections, and significant color variation. The appearance suits design projects seeking visible grain patterns and natural wood character.
Engineered flooring accommodates multiple installation methods depending on the subfloor type and project requirements.
Direct glue-down installation bonds planks to concrete or plywood subfloors using urethane or moisture-cure adhesive. This method provides a solid feel underfoot and reduces the hollow sound sometimes present in floating installations. Glue-down installation is common in commercial applications and high-traffic residential spaces.
Floating floors rest on an underlayment without fastening to the subfloor. Planks connect through tongue-and-groove joints or click-lock mechanisms. Floating installation works well over concrete slabs with radiant heating and in spaces where moisture barriers are required between the floor and subfloor.
Engineered flooring with adequate thickness can be nailed or stapled to plywood subfloors using the same methods applied to solid hardwood. This method requires a minimum product thickness and is not suitable for all engineered flooring lines.
The endless refinishing possibilities of engineered flooring depends on the veneer thickness. Products with veneers of 2 millimeters or less cannot be sanded without exposing the core layer. Engineered flooring with veneers of 3 to 6 millimeters can be sanded and refinished one to ten times over the floor’s lifespan.
When selecting engineered flooring for installations where long-term refinishing is a priority, verify the veneer thickness with our staff. We stock products across the veneer thickness range and can identify options meeting specific refinishing requirements.
Visit our showroom at 14959 Delano Street in Van Nuys to view engineered flooring samples across species, grades, and finishes. Our staff provides guidance on product selection based on installation conditions, traffic expectations, and design goals.
Monday through Friday: 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Sunday: Closed
Phone: (800) 848-5556 or (818) 988-9663
We supply engineered flooring to contractors, designers, and homeowners throughout Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and Southern California.
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