What is 'engineered oak flooring', please?

[bemahan]

I am looking at buying as house which has "engineered oak flooring" and I am wondering what that means and how easy it is to maintain, etc.
Many thanks!

[heathfield]

Laminated flooring with a real oak-wood top strip.

[bemahan]

Thanks! Is it very hardwearing, or is it easily marked, please? I like your profile photo by the way!

[The Builder]

.......... usually, Bem. The finish is generally bombproof....... especially noticeable if you ever have to rub any down!

[buildersmate]

Contrary to popular belief, engineered oak board is no cheaper than solid oak board. Its advantage is that it doesn't warp and expands/contracts less than solid wood as natural humidity changes occur. As with any wood surface, the quality of the solid wood determines the hardness of the top wearing surface; but invite a lady (or gent) with stilettos onto it and you will sure end up with dents.
Ours is treated once per year with a product called Leha Power Wax - a solid wax intended for the purpose. It looks great. We have it fitted over UFH.

[annie0000]

We have that almost fully throughout our ground floor, we have concrete floors so this is a better bet than real wood but no cheaper. Ours has been down nearly 10 years now and is wearing really well......apart from in the kitchen. The previous owner stomped about in her high heels and it has little dents in it by the sink/cooker area and also cos it is inclined to get more dirty/wet in the kitchen it has lost it's finish. I believe it is possible to sand it down (up to a couple of times) and re finish. When we have saved up for a new kitchen then I would get that done at the same time.

Overall, we are happy with it, but it will damage just the same as a wooden floor.