Engineered wood floor thickness is the total depth of the plank, and it is a different measurement from the wear layer on top. The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) says finished engineered flooring can range from 3/8 inch to 3/4 inch, so a shopper comparing 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch and 3/4 inch boards is comparing real products. This guide explains what each size changes, then shows how the 3/4 inch (19mm) planks in our engineered hardwood collection fit those rules.
The short answer to "is 3/4 inch better?" is that thickness does not rank a floor on its own. It decides how the board is fastened, which subfloors suit it and how tall the finished floor stands at your doorways. One fact up front: all 38 engineered boards in our collection are listed as 19mm (3/4 inch) thick. We do not carry 1/2 inch or 3/8 inch planks, so this page is as much about reading specifications as about choosing between our products.
Total thickness and wear layer are two different numbers
Every engineered plank is built in layers. NWFA describes a top layer, core layers in the middle and a backing layer underneath, and says the top layer determines the final appearance of the floor whatever the thickness of the product. The ANSI/HPVA standard for engineered wood flooring adds that the veneer thickness varies with the design and intended use set by the manufacturer. Total thickness and wear layer are therefore chosen separately.
Our range makes the point. The three boards below share one total thickness, yet the wear layer is 2mm on the first and 3mm on the other two. Subtract the wear layer from the total and what remains is core and backing: 17mm for Slate and 16mm for Villa and Verita.
| Board | Total thickness | Wear layer | Plank width | Core and backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slate | 19mm | 2mm | 6 1/2" | 17mm |
| Villa | 19mm | 3mm | 7 1/2" | 16mm |
| Verita | 19mm | 3mm | 7 1/2" | 16mm |
The pattern holds across the whole collection: 10 boards have a 2mm wear layer, 21 have 3mm and 7 have 4mm, and every one is 19mm overall. If your real question is how much sandable oak sits on top, our comparison of 2mm, 3mm and 4mm wear layers covers it, so we keep this page on total thickness.
Engineered wood floor thickness chart: 3/8, 1/2, 5/8 and 3/4 inch in millimetres
Labels quote thickness in inches on some boxes and millimetres on others. This chart uses NWFA's fraction-to-millimetre conversion table and adds what NWFA's installation guidelines say at each size.
| Thickness | Millimetres | What the NWFA guidelines say at this size | In our range? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 inch | 9.53mm | Bottom of the 3/8 to 3/4 inch range for finished engineered flooring. Falls in the thinner-than-5/8 inch fastener tier. | No |
| 1/2 inch | 12.70mm | Same fastener tier. Thinner than 3/4 inch, which triggers extra subfloor preparation (see below). | No |
| 5/8 inch | 15.88mm | The fastener schedule changes here: boards at 5/8 inch and over get wider fastener spacing. | No |
| 3/4 inch | 19.05mm | Top of the range. Named directly in the laying-direction rules for solid board subfloors. | Yes, all 38 boards (listed as 19mm) |
Our listings give the thickness as 19mm for 3/4 inch, while the exact conversion is 19.05mm, so the two describe the same plank.
Fastening: the schedule splits at 5/8 inch
NWFA's standard fastener schedule for engineered tongue-and-groove boards has two tiers, unless the flooring manufacturer recommends otherwise. Boards thinner than 5/8 inch are fastened at 3 to 4 inch intervals along each board, while boards at 5/8 inch or thicker use 6 to 8 inch intervals. Both tiers call for at least two fasteners per board, so a thinner board simply gets closer spacing.
Subfloors and sleepers: thinner than 3/4 inch asks for more preparation
Two NWFA rules turn on 3/4 inch. Over solid board subfloors, a wood floor thinner than 3/4 inch needs the old subfloor overlaid with a subfloor panel. Over screeds or sleepers on concrete, engineered flooring thinner than 3/4 inch, and any wide plank wider than 5 inch, should not be fixed directly to the sleepers; both need a plywood or OSB panel layer first. Our 6 1/2" and 7 1/2" planks fall under the width half of that rule even at full thickness.
Our 19mm planks: specifications and current box prices
Three boards from the collection show how the numbers line up. All three are wire-brushed, character-grade oak, listed as nail-down, and all were in stock when we pulled these prices.
| Board | Wear layer | Plank width | Box price and coverage | Price per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slate European oak engineered plank | 2mm | 6 1/2" | $95.71 per 20.24 sq ft box | $4.73 |
| Villa plank and Verita plank | 3mm | 7 1/2" | $97.00 per 19.42 sq ft box (same for both) | $4.99 |
Prices checked October 4, 2026. Box prices and coverage come from our current catalogue.
Because the thickness is identical, it cannot explain the gap between Slate and the other two; wear layer, plank width and coverage per box are what differ. Slate is the entry point at $4.73 per sq ft and the 7 1/2" boards are $4.99 per sq ft. Across the 35 engineered boards in stock today, prices run from $4.73 to $6.18 per sq ft, with box prices from $95.71 to $120.00.
Choosing between the two widths does not change the depth underneath. The 6 1/2" and 7 1/2" boards both measure 19mm, so the subfloor checks above apply to either. Width is a look and layout decision, and thickness is not what separates them.
What 19mm means for installation: nail-down
Each of these boards lists nail-down as its installation method. Nail-down means the planks are fastened through the tongue into a wood subfloor, so the substrate rules matter. NWFA says wood flooring may be nailed down over many wood subfloors, though not particleboard, provided they meet its minimum requirements. It also calls for a substrate that is sound, with no squeaks or vertical deflection, flat to 1/4 inch in 10 feet, and moisture tested in relation to the flooring being used.
Our labour rate for nail-down engineered hardwood is $2.00 per sq ft in a house or a basement. If the subfloor calls for nail-down plus glue, the rate is $2.80 per sq ft. Both rates cover labour only and are listed by installation method. Nail-down labour in a condo is priced after viewing, and so is anything the subfloor needs first, such as levelling, repairs or an added panel layer.
NWFA also states that a manufacturer's recommendations for a specific product should supersede its general guidelines. Treat the figures above as the baseline, and confirm the method for your exact board and subfloor before you budget.
What nailing down 3/4 inch planks costs on 500 sq ft
The steps match our quote process. Multiply the area by 1.05 for the 5% waste allowance, divide by the coverage per box and round up to whole boxes, multiply by the box price, then add labour at $2.00 per sq ft on the same 525 sq ft and 13% HST. This example is a 500 sq ft house floor, nail-down, materials and labour only.
| Line | Slate | Villa or Verita |
|---|---|---|
| Area with waste (500 sq ft × 1.05) | 525 sq ft | 525 sq ft |
| Boxes needed | 26 (525 / 20.24 = 25.94) | 28 (525 / 19.42 = 27.03) |
| Material | 26 × $95.71 = $2,488.46 | 28 × $97.00 = $2,716.00 |
| Labour (525 sq ft × $2.00) | $1,050.00 | $1,050.00 |
| Subtotal | $3,538.46 | $3,766.00 |
| HST at 13% | $460.00 | $489.58 |
| Total | $3,998.46 | $4,255.58 |
These are nail-down boards, so the estimate adds no underlay roll. Removal of the old floor, delivery, trim and stairs are not included. Stepping up to nail-down plus glue on the same 525 sq ft would raise labour to $1,470.00, which is $420.00 more.
How to choose: decision rules for your project
- Sound wood subfloor, normal door clearances: a 3/4 inch nail-down board is what our collection offers. Check the subfloor type and joist spacing against NWFA or the manufacturer before ordering. Our nail-down versus floating comparison goes further on methods.
- Particleboard subfloor: NWFA excludes it from nail-down, so tell us what is under the floor before you buy boxes.
- Concrete slab: NWFA notes that in many situations the installation method calls for a wood subfloor over a concrete subfloor, and wide planks need a panel layer over any sleepers, as covered above. Tell us what your slab looks like before you order.
- Tight height at doors and thresholds: add up the old floor, the new 19.05mm board and any underlay, then compare with your clearances. A 3/8 inch board would sit 9.52mm lower, but we do not stock one in engineered hardwood. Door trimming and transitions are priced after viewing.
- Condo: nail-down labour is priced after viewing, and your building's own rules should be checked before you order.
- Surface and finish: all 38 boards are wire-brushed. Our wire-brushed versus smooth comparison and our European oak engineered buying guide cover that choice.
Engineered wood floor thickness FAQ
Is 3/4 inch engineered hardwood better than 1/2 inch or 3/8 inch?
Not on thickness alone. Total depth affects fastening, subfloor requirements and finished height, while the wear layer sets the real-oak surface. For a nail-down job over a sound wood subfloor, 3/4 inch is the size our range is built around.
How thick is engineered hardwood flooring?
According to NWFA, finished planks run from 3/8 inch up to 3/4 inch. The boards we sell sit at the top of that span at 19mm.
Do you sell 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch engineered hardwood?
No. Every board in the collection is listed at 19mm, so there is no thinner engineered option here to compare.
Does a thicker engineered board have a thicker wear layer?
No, they are separate specifications. Our boards are all 19mm overall, with wear layers of 2mm, 3mm or 4mm depending on the product.
What is veneer thickness on engineered hardwood?
The veneer is the top layer of real wood, which NWFA also calls the wear layer. Its thickness is set by each manufacturer's design. In our catalogue data it is recorded as the top layer thickness of 2mm, 3mm or 4mm.
How much does 3/4 inch engineered hardwood cost per square foot?
Box prices for in-stock boards are $95.71 to $120.00, which works out to $4.73 to $6.18 per sq ft before installation. Add labour at $2.00 per sq ft for nail-down in a house, plus 13% HST.
Get a 3/4 inch engineered hardwood quote in Toronto and the GTA
Send us your room sizes, building type and what is on the floor now, and we will run the steps shown above with your numbers. You can request a quote online or use our contact page.
Top Floorings Depot
3781 Victoria Park Avenue, Unit 1, Toronto, ON M1W 3K5
www.topfloorings.com
Call: 416-499-0117
Text: 416-770-8819