When investing in hardwood flooring, you want more than just “good enough”; you want something that looks stunning, performs reliably, and adds value to your home.
With over 10 years of helping homeowners choose hardwood flooring across the US, I have seen how premium engineered floors perform in real homes. In this hands-on review, I tested Allora Hardwood by Garrison to see whether its Italian craftsmanship truly delivers long-term value or just a premium look.
A Quick Verdict by David - A Flooring Expert
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Best for: Open-plan luxury homes, families with pets, long-term homeowners
- Installation Tip: Always use a moisture barrier underlay and test for subfloor flatness
- Insight: The 4mm wear layer gives refinishing potential once or twice
Allora's High-Quality Finish & Surface Treatment
As someone who has inspected dozens of premium engineered floors, I can tell you what stands out first with Allora Floors is the Italian precision of the surface finish. The planks come coated in a water-based matte UV lacquer, which gives them a clean, modern look without the overdone shine that tends to highlight scratches or wear marks on cheaper products.
From a technical standpoint, though, I would say this type of finishing works very well in active households. It withstands minor scuffs, impacts, and general wear that occurs in a home with children and pets. The fact that it also withstands fading over time is definitely a plus. The surface, with its very lightly wire-brushed finish, possesses just the right amount of texture to mask the more obvious imperfections while showcasing the natural and elegant oak grains.
Micro-beveled edges are a nice touch, and the ease and seamless nature. And I think this touch aids the illusion that the boards fit together.
From what I have seen, UV-lacquered finishes like Allora’s will require less upkeep than hardwax-oiled floors and will also keep their color in sunny areas longer. If your finish is in an area of your house that gets lots of natural light, this will hold its tone more consistently over time.
Wide-Plank Design & Long Lengths
Allora Floors is a remarkable choice for its wide-plank format. These are modern and trendy options for home design. Besides the standard collections, which are 7.5 inches wide, they offer a unique 9.5-inch wide plank with lengths of nearly 2,350 mm, or 8-foot boards.
I have delivered the 9.5-inch Allora planks for a couple of high-end living and dining areas, and they always come out beautifully. The space feels open and unified, which is a great improvement from the busy look that is often presented. The micro-beveled edges assist the seams and the flow of the planks, and the focus is kept on the gorgeous European Oak.
The design and installation of flooring are impacted by dimensions. Wider and longer boards mean there will be fewer seams and a more seamless look. This is often appreciated more by homeowners after the job is completed. In open-concept areas, the continuous flow of the grain on the boards gives the space a stunning visual effect and a relaxing rhythm.
Engineered Construction with Strong Specifications
When you look beyond the surface beauty, the true value of any engineered hardwood floor lies in its construction, and this is where Allora Floors truly shows its pedigree.
Allora's each plank is crafted with a top layer of premium European Oak mounted over a high-strength birch plywood core, forming a total thickness of ⅝″ (15 mm) with a 4.0 mm wear layer as seen in the popular Allora Aria 7½″ model.
As a flooring specialist, I have to say these numbers really give me something to geek out about. I am a fan of the 4.0 mm top veneer when it comes to the option of light refinishing floors. It gives a longer lifespan because one can treat it as solid hardwood, while taking advantage of the engineered hardwood base’s stability. I also appreciate the multi-ply birch core as it will help keep the engineered boards flat and resistant to warping and cupping, a downfall of solid wood when located in humid areas.
Allora engineered birch-ply flooring will also outperform solid oak in the lower humidity zone. You will see a change during those dry winter months with little to no gaps, and the hardwood will feel softer during those humid months. Many parts of Canada and the US have those long, dry winter months and humid summer months, making Allora a suitable choice.
Wide Range of Styles in Allora’s Catalog
What impressed me most about Allora is its wide variety, letting the homeowners match their floors to their interior vision.
You’ll find multiple collections such as Luna, Aria, Doma, Sella, Strada, Volto, and Ventasso, each available in either Select grade (clean uniform grain) or Select Character grade (more knots, natural variation) finishes. Widths offered include the 7½″ and 9½″ formats; there are even herringbone pattern options in selected collections.
The palette is broad, from light, airy tones to deep, rich browns, meaning whether you favor minimalist modern, transitional, or traditional luxury décor, Allora has a style to match.
Allora Flooring Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
| Engineered construction provides better stability than many solid hardwoods. | Higher initial cost compared to mid-range engineered hardwood brands. |
| Sustainable sourcing and eco-friendly credentials | Wide planks may not suit small rooms or tight spaces; a design match is needed. |
| High impact aesthetic: fewer seams and board ends give large rooms a seamless, premium appearance. | Requires a high level of site preparation and proper installation. |
| Thick wear layer and quality finish (water-based UV lacquer) support durability. | |
| A large range of styles, grades, and formats (including herringbone) offers design flexibility. |
Learn more about the pros and cons of engineered hardwood flooring before you buy.
Easy Installation & Maintenance
While Allora is engineered with strong specs, installation still demands care. The boards support glue-down or floating methods, depending on site conditions (for many models).
Because of the size (especially with 9½″ wide boards) and luxury nature, the manufacturer recommends professional installation rather than DIY, particularly to ensure sub-floor flatness, moisture stability, and proper adhesive/nailing where required.
Once installed, maintenance is simpler: regular sweeping/vacuuming, occasional damp pH-neutral mopping, and avoiding harsh cleaners. With proper care of an engineered hardwood floor, you’ll maintain that premium look without constant maintenance stress.
How Much Does Allora Flooring Cost?
Allora engineered hardwood base collections start at US $12.99 per sq. ft. and go up to US $13.99 per sq. ft., which are premium plank finishes, wider premium planks, or select-grade veneers. This is priced accordingly due to high-quality craftsmanship.
Allora’s quality flooring is priced slightly above average for engineered hardwood floors, due to its premium European-inspired design and the fact that modern engineered hardwood flooring brands are generally fairly priced.
Allora is a perfect choice for homeowners who want to buy flooring online because of the styling, stability, and performance longevity.
Is Allora Flooring Worth It?
Allora flooring is worth buying if you want an engineered hardwood floor that combines design, consistency & value over time. The wide plank design and thick multi-layer engineered hardwood floors provide stability and structure. Perfect for homes with kids and pets, and high-traffic areas.
Allora floors have a competitive edge over others because of the high quality, stain and scratch-resistant finish, and the competitive quality of the product. You are paying for high quality that will last for years and will maintain its elegant design.
Allora engineered flooring provides the best value for the low-maintenance hardwood, and you can find exclusive offers on Allora Flooring at Royal Floors Online.
Still deciding which Allora collection fits your space? Call at (833) 378-4559 to talk with David.
Also, check out COREtec Flooring Review for a closer look at another leading flooring brand.
