Plenty of complaints about Shaw engineered hardwoods in the past few years. Go ahead and search Houzz for problems with Shaw...you should find a dozen threads going on (simultaneously) about the issues with Shaw.

Remember: a 'good' engineered hardwood that is thicker than 1/2" with a high-level finish is MORE than $5/sf. If you want a wide plank presentation in something like "European Oak" you should add another $5/sf onto that price = $10/sf

If your budget is NOT set for the $10/sf...you might have to change something...like the width of the plank or the species of the wear layer.

It seems I can find complaints about every floor brand. Which leads me to go where??? Anderson and Shaw are owned by the same people. I've read better to buy made mainly in USA...quality control is better when sourced locally, I don't know. Cant find any bad info or any info really on Anderson. They have plenty of at least 1/2" engineered at an avg of 10$sf. Which is why I was wondering if users can give recommendations on a good floor brand. One they have or install often with little to no complaints. Is it just assumed we will have problems with any floor brand we choose and should just blindly spend upwards of 20,000 and hope for the best. Seems scary.

My advice: make sure your HVAC system that you purchased and the builder is installing MUST HAVE whole home humidity control. That means if you live in a dry climate you MUST HAVE a humidifier added to the system. If you live in a humid area then a DEHUMIDIFIER. And if you live in a climate that has humid summers and DRY winters then you need BOTH...humidifier and dehudifier.

Once you pay for the upgrade you can then have any wood floor you want....whether solid or engineered...it won't matter.

Start with the HVAC and what it will do and what it will NOT do (here's a hint...builders assume the lowest level of requirements...and will only add/purchase higher level stuff when told to do so by the homeowner/buyer).

Once you have CONFIRMED the HVAC can do what you need it to do (sit consistently @ 45% humidity) then you go ahead and worry about which floor. Without HVAC properly calibrated for wood floors, you won't be happy with any wood floor...because you will have problems.

And THAT'S why you see SO MANY COMPLAINTS! If you consider 95% of complaints are HOMEOWNER OR INSTALLER issues...you can narrow down the REAL issues = splitting, peeling, checking, delaminating, etc.

Shaw has some real issues...just sayin'.

@SJ McCarthy

So if Shaw is not a good company should I then assume Anderson will be bad as well as it looks like they are sister companies since they are both listed on the website?

Not necessarily. Even though the companies have merged the factories still produce their own products.

It's like when Fiat (the car company) took over Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. Just because they have the same owners doesn't mean you are purchasing a Ferrari when you own a Fiat 500!

How do you find the wear layer of an engineered floor I'm looking at Anderson Fora and LW Rosemont and LW Cortona a? Is wider boards better? These are 5". @SJ McCarthy

Ask the mfr. In my mind a company that will not publish this info really is not looking to advertise the thickness of the wear layer as it will be thin. Just my .02.

The thickness of the product and therefore the wear layer should be found on the website under "specifications". These should be clickable buttons sitting somewhere on the page.

I've looked a Shaw's and there is NOTHING. As millworkman states, that's a good indication that it is a pitiable amount and they do NOT want to advertise it in writing.

The BEST way to get a measurement is to see it for yourself. A sample board at a local dealer should give allow you to measure (bring your tape measure) the top layer of wood. If you can't find it in your colour then stick with the LINE and measure that.

I’m currently looking to purchase Shaw couture oak for our home. We need around 3500 sq feet. The manufacturer states it has a 2 mm wear layer and the planks are 1/2 inch in thickness. Has anyone used Shaw‘s 1/2 inch thick engineered flooring and would like to share your thoughts?

@ 4782 .... You will get one rotation of life with these floors. The American consumer is very tough on floors. Which means the traditional buff and coat after 15 years is not something you will be able to consider. That means you will get roughly 15 years out of this floor.

How much are they charging for Shaw with 2mm wear layer (it is NOT thick enough to receive a sand/refinish)?

For a 1/2" engineered hardwood with 2mm wear layer I would expect to pay $5/sf from Home Depot.

I don't think HVAC can be solely blamed for floor performance given that less than 5% of buildings/residences in Europe have air conditioning and there is wood flooring there over 100 years old. If the engineered products here are that sensitive then they're not well made. Try Owens, the wear layer is 1/4" or about 6mm.