Quick Answer
Engineered hardwood is a multi-layer plank with a real hardwood veneer over a stable plywood core — required over concrete slabs, radiant heat and in basements, and increasingly popular for wide-plank looks.
- Licensed MHIC #141267
- Fully Insured & Bonded
- 15+ Years Experience
- Family-Owned
- HEPA Dustless Sanding
- Premium Bona & Loba Finishes
- Written Scope & Timeline
- 15% Veteran Labor Discount
If you're installing hardwood over a concrete slab (any basement, most condos, many first-floor slab homes) or over radiant heat, engineered is not optional — solid hardwood will fail in those conditions.
Engineered isn't a compromise. Premium products from Mirage, Somerset and Shaw have 4–6mm wear layers that can be refinished multiple times, and their dimensional stability actually beats solid in wide planks.
Key Takeaways
- Required over concrete and radiant heat
- Wear-layer thickness determines lifetime value
- Not a downgrade from solid — often better in wide planks
Problems We're Called In to Solve
Delamination
Almost always from installing over a wet slab. Moisture testing prevents this.
Can only be refinished once
You bought a 2mm wear layer. We recommend 4mm+ for future-proofing.
The CDS Process
1. Moisture testing
Concrete slab tests critical — under 3lb/1000sf/24hr calcium chloride.
2. Vapor barrier
6-mil poly or manufacturer-approved membrane.
3. Install method
Glue-down for slabs and radiant, staple/nail over plywood, floating for click-lock.
4. Acclimation & install
72-hour acclimation, then install with proper expansion gaps.
Ready to talk about your project?
Material, Stain & Finish Options
- • Mirage engineered white oak & maple
- • Somerset engineered oak
- • Shaw and Mohawk engineered lines
- • Bostik and Mapei approved glues for glue-down
Why Homeowners Choose CDS
CDS Hardwood Floors is a family-owned, Maryland-licensed contractor (MHIC #141267), fully insured and bonded, based in Gaithersburg with 15+ years of hands-on work in Montgomery County homes. Our crews have finished landmark commercial work — including DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC — alongside thousands of residential projects. Veterans receive 15% off labor.
- Similar timeline to solid install
- Slightly less expensive per SF than solid in most species
- Longer expected refinish cycles than solid
What Affects the Investment
Every home is different, so pricing is set after we see the floors. These are the factors we weigh in your written proposal:
- • Wear-layer thickness (2mm vs 6mm — huge difference)
- • Species and grade
- • Glue-down vs nail-down vs float
- • Slab prep and moisture mitigation
Project Case Studies
Caring for the Result
- • Same as solid hardwood — Bona cleaner, felt pads, no steam.
Warranty & Guarantee
All CDS craftsmanship is backed by our workmanship guarantee. Manufacturer finish warranties are transferred to you in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does engineered hardwood make more sense than solid?
Over concrete slabs, in basements and in below-grade or high-humidity spaces, where engineered construction stays dimensionally stable in conditions that would move a solid floor.
Can engineered floors be refinished?
It depends on the wear layer. Thicker sawn-face products can usually be sanded once or twice; thin veneer products cannot, and are better maintained with a recoat. We check the wear layer before advising.
Is engineered flooring glued, nailed or floated?
All three are used depending on the subfloor. Over concrete we typically glue with a moisture-control adhesive after slab moisture testing; over plywood we usually nail or staple.
How long does engineered hardwood installation take in a typical home?
Most residential projects are completed within 3–7 working days, depending on square footage, drying times and any repairs required. We provide a firm timeline in your written estimate.
Do I need to move out during engineered hardwood installation?
In most cases, no. Our dustless equipment keeps the home habitable, though we recommend staying off finished areas for 24–72 hours to let the finish cure.
Can I schedule a consultation?
Yes. Every engineered hardwood installation project starts with an on-site consultation and a detailed written quote, usually delivered within 24 hours.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. CDS Hardwood Floors is a Maryland-licensed contractor (MHIC #141267), fully insured and bonded for your protection.
Written by
Daniel Santos
Owner, CDS Hardwood Floors
Daniel Santos is the owner of CDS Hardwood Floors and has spent 15+ years sanding, staining and installing hardwood in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC homes. He personally walks most projects, specializes in HEPA-contained dustless sanding, premium water-based finish systems and custom installations, and believes homeowners make better decisions when the process is explained plainly before a single board is touched.
Read More From Our Team
Engineered vs. Solid Hardwood: Which Should You Choose?
The practical differences between engineered and solid hardwood — stability, refinishing, cost, and where each works best.
Can Engineered Hardwood Be Refinished?
The wear-layer rule that determines whether your engineered floor can be sanded — and how many times.
Related Services
Where We Work
CDS Hardwood Floors is based at 21008 Golf Estates Dr, Gaithersburg, MD 20882. Our primary service market is Montgomery County and the surrounding Maryland communities:
- Gaithersburg, MD
- Rockville, MD
- Potomac, MD
- North Potomac, MD
- Bethesda, MD
- North Bethesda, MD
- Germantown, MD
- Clarksburg, MD
- Olney, MD
- Damascus, MD
- Frederick, MD
- Montgomery County, MD
We also serve extended markets in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, nearby West Virginia and Pennsylvania. See all service areas.
Book Your Consultation
Tell us about your floors and we'll walk the space with you, talk through options and send a written proposal.