[onewhippedpuppy]

I can’t speak for the contractor stuff because I DIY. But I have installed engineered hardwood in my entire main floor, which is basically an 1/8 or so of hardwood that is glued to a plywood substrate and then finished. The planks are typically tongue and groove, you don’t nail them like a full hardwood floor, glue is optional if you want better moisture protection (I always glue). The floor floats over a pad type product that damps vibration and also acts as a vapor barrier if you install on a slab floor or basement. Most of it has been in place for 6 years and has held up great to kid abuse, a few minor nicks that can be touched up with a stain pen. Typically it’s also less money than a full hardwood but it looks just as good because the visible surface is actual hardwood. Very happy with the end result and would do it again.