Since their invention in the 1960s, engineered wood floors have improved in appearance and performance, accounting for 30 percent of all the wood flooring sold in America today. Available in dozens of wood species, and with new surface effects, such as hand scraped, for a timeworn patina, these high-tech boards now look just right in any vintage house, whether it's a 1910 foursquare or a '70s raised ranch. 

Most boards come with a factory finish that'll outlast one applied in your home on solid wood, and they'll be ready for footsteps the day you put them down. Engineered boards are also problem-solvers, allowing you to use them where solid strips often can't go, like in basements or directly over concrete slabs. Even better, budget-minded homeowners can lay the boards themselves, saving a bundle on pro installation and getting great-looking results in a weekend.