Engineered wood flooring is easy to find at budget-conscious deals, but that does not mean that it is an inferior material that requires no care. In fact, its democratic price range is only one factor making a floating engineered hardwood floor the best option for many. As it turns out, the material is also sought after for its undemanding assembly and good looks, in addition to its favorable price. Finding the variety you want is usually just a matter of clicking away at the computer for a bit. What’s more, it’s possible to find engineered planks that resemble natural pine or oak, or any other type of wood you’re especially fond of.

To those positive attributes of engineered floating wood floor, easy assembly and disassembly must be added, certainly, but a standout virtue is its being a sustainable alternative to solid wood floors. Because this is the case in many instances it’s not unheard of for folks that can actually afford the unsurprisingly big price tags of solid wood floors to opt for the engineered kind — sometimes it’s just not possible to fully overcome qualms about the slow-growing, and (really) priceless, mature trees that must be cut down in order to make fine and precious solid wood planks.

On the other hand, people who think that the magnitude of the investment that floating floors represent is too unwieldy are rendered more than a good bit appeased by the moderate valuation of the engineered alternative. For some, solid oak wood flooring can represent an expense that’s an entire order of magnitude larger that what their budget allows. But even economical materials must be taken care of; upkeep is not solely the birthright of the expensive.

If you’re going to take care of your engineered wood floors, something to be weary of is the proliferation of surface scratches. The scratches pop up when particles of dirt or dust remain for too long on the floors.

Substantial damage can also occur when moisture is allowed to sit on them for too long. If spills are not cleaned up in a timely manner, the liquid causes ungainly warping and swelling. Moreover, homeowners should remain on guard about the development of gaps or visible crevices between planks. These minor separations may seem harmless, but they’re not, and it’s best to “tap” planks back into their tightly interlocking formations so that the gaps do not get a chance to widen. Click wood flooring is a low-cost option, but it’s a reason to respect it, not neglect it.

Sam Walters is a writer living in Los Angeles. Her writing appears in print and online.