Someone who works with wood flooring in your region is the best to consult with on this. However, my best 'guess' is that the engineered flooring, especially factory finished with a peeled veneer, would show some splitting and checking of the veneer surface, and the core layers might also be subject to delamination because of excessive drying.

When we went back to look at more samples Wednesday, I asked about inside humidity and after some hmmming and hawing, the saleman said that, yes, we should install a humidifier to prevent cracking. I'd bet most buyers are not told...until they have a problem with their floor and seek warranty coverage.

Did they say anything about engineered flooring over radiant hydronic heat? Would this help without otherwise humidifying?

I am considering using engineered hardwood over radiant hydronic heat in a low humidity area (Lake Tahoe). It ISN'T very low humidity. Inside has ranged from 20-50 with no humidification over the last 4 months. It is usually around 20-30 in the summer when the windows would be open anyway, so would a humidifier really work then anyway? However, the house I am looking at is over an open crawl space which I read dries the house out somewhat, so the humidity could be lower there. Thoughts?