Board construction
Core type, overall thickness, wear layer, edge profile, and finish differ by product and affect selection and future options.
Real Wood with Layered Construction
Engineered Hardwood Installation in Chicago
Engineered hardwood combines a real-wood surface with a layered core, creating options for projects where product construction and installation conditions matter.
Request a Free EstimateService Overview
Choose the board and installation as one system
Engineered products vary in thickness, core construction, wear layer, finish, width, and manufacturer requirements.
MGM considers the selected board alongside the subfloor, finished height, adjoining rooms, and approved installation method before work begins.
The MGM Approach
A five-step approach
The product instructions, project conditions, and desired room-to-room flow guide each stage.
- 01
Review the site
Check the rooms, subfloor type, access, floor heights, and transitions.
- 02
Confirm the board
Review construction, dimensions, finish, installation requirements, and visual variation.
- 03
Plan the layout
Set direction, starting lines, joint distribution, and key sightlines.
- 04
Install as approved
Use an installation approach appropriate to the selected product and site conditions.
- 05
Finish the details
Resolve perimeters, vents, thresholds, and connections to adjoining surfaces.
Service Considerations
Product construction and installation methods
“Engineered” describes a category, not one interchangeable specification.
Site and subfloor conditions
Concrete or wood substrates, flatness, moisture conditions, floor height, and manufacturer instructions influence preparation and installation.
Project Details
Details to confirm before ordering
Early coordination reduces surprises at doors, stairs, cabinets, and adjacent flooring.
- Approved method
- Products may allow specific fastening, adhesive, or floating methods under defined conditions.
- Subfloor readiness
- The supporting surface must meet the selected product’s requirements.
- Board variation
- Color and grain should be reviewed across multiple cartons during layout.
- Finished height
- Doors, appliances, stairs, and adjacent floors may be affected.
- Transitions
- Profiles and locations should be planned with the surrounding interior.
MGM Project Photography
Relevant project details
MGM project photography showing floor layout, light, and room-to-room transitions without assigning an unverified product type.
Local Service
Serving Chicago and surrounding suburbs
MGM Floors installs hardwood flooring across Chicago and surrounding suburbs. For engineered products, a site and product review helps determine whether the board, substrate, and approved installation method are compatible.
Contact MGM Floors to discuss the property and current project conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about engineered hardwood installation
Engineered hardwood has a real-wood surface layer over a layered core. Construction and wear-layer thickness vary significantly by product.
Some products and methods are designed for suitable concrete substrates, but product instructions and actual site conditions must be reviewed first.
That depends on wear-layer thickness, product construction, condition, and prior work. It should not be assumed for every engineered floor.
No. Approved methods, adhesives or fasteners, subfloor requirements, and expansion details vary by manufacturer and product.
Compare construction, wear layer, dimensions, finish, visual grade, published product documentation, installation instructions, and compatibility with the project.
Start the Conversation
Considering engineered hardwood?
Share the product and project details with MGM Floors so the installation conditions can be reviewed.