Q: I was looking at a new condo with "cherrywood flooring." No illusions that it is solid wood. I was told it's engineered flooring.
Looking again at some damage - the flooring was stapled over radiant pipes with staples that are too long, resulting in water damage in several units - I saw that the top layer is a thin photographic film, not veneer.
Does this mean it's laminate, not engineered?
And if so, if the cat throws up while I'm at work, am I talking significant repair costs?
The material also scratches badly, I noticed.
A: It is engineered wood, and, as for the cat, it would depend on what you fed it.
A diet of syrup of ipecac, perhaps; Tender Vittles, probably not.
Let's just say the condo developer didn't dig too deeply into his or her pockets for flooring, nor for the expertise required to install it without puncturing the flexible piping in the radiant heating system.
It kind of makes me wonder what other evidence of builder shortcuts will appear in the months after you move in. Have another good look, if you're planning to buy it.
