Engineered timber flooring combines a tough, real hardwood surface with a core of multiple layers of plywood. They are strong and durable, and less conducive to splitting and gapping than solid timber flooring. This multi-layered construction provides for a very stable floor.
Most engineered floors can be sanded up to two times as the top layer is straight from the tree. It therefore, is also very hard to spot as an engineered floor. Another advantage is that engineered floors can be installed over most existing subfloors without adding the height that a solid timber floor would.
The latest technology sees engineered timber flooring with Duracoat wear layers which will not ever require sanding. This Duracoat wear layer is able to withstand more punishment than most standard engineered timbers.
Credit -@harveynormanau