Solid Hardwood Floor vs Engineered Hardwood Floor – Which is Better?
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Are you planning to install durable and beautiful hardwood floors? Choosing a particular kind for your project can be challenging. Wood floors have a luxurious feel and add value to your home.
Whether you prioritize traditional craftsmanship or modern convenience, understanding these choices empowers you to make an informed decision.
Solid hardwood floors are known for their timeless beauty and durability, crafted from a single piece of wood.
Engineered hardwood combines natural wood with advanced technology, providing versatile and stable flooring.
Each type of flooring has its own benefits and considerations. Knowing the differences will help you determine the ideal option for your lifestyle.
Are you wondering whether solid hardwood or engineered hardwood flooring is better? This blog will explore the differences between them.
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According to the name, solid hardwood floors are made of solid wood planks. It is usually measured 3/4-inch in thickness and width of 2 1/2 inches to 5 inches.
Solid hardwood flooring was delivered unfinished. It was then installed, sanded, and finished on site.
Now, most solid wood is pre-finished at the manufacturing facility. This makes installation easy in the home and helps avoid any hassle.
In solid hardwood flooring, the boards are fastened with nails and staples. Any solid hardwood of 5″ or more should be glued and nailed, increasing labor costs.
Solid hardwood is not installed in basements or areas where moisture is present. It is found in rooms and hallways, living areas, and bedrooms. It does not work well with moisture.
This flooring can be sanded and refinished multiple times throughout its lifetime, enhancing its durability.
Engineered flooring comes in several layers of hardwood into one plank.
Regarding quality engineered flooring, the top layer consists of sliced or sawn hardwood veneer or a rotary-cut veneer with more of a plywood look.
In this type of flooring, multiple layers of wood or plywood are glued and laminated together. These are attached in a perpendicular pattern, which results in a stable dimension.
It deals with moisture, temperature changes, and humidity. It makes it perfect for spaces with a protective moisture barrier installed.
It is also suitable for concrete slab installations and radiant heating systems.
The thickness of engineered hardwood varies between 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch. Generally, widths range from 3 1/4 inches to 5 inches and beyond.
You will find wider options when it comes to engineered wood. The dimensional stability enhances performance.
Mostly engineered hardwood is finished in the factory, where it undergoes several applications of a highly durable finish.
These include matte, high-gloss, or semi-gloss. You can even choose surface finishes like hand-scraped, weathered, or wire-brushed.
Engineered wood offers more installation options than solid hardwood. It can be stapled, nailed, glued, or floated as required.
Choosing between engineered wood flooring and solid hardwood flooring is a crucial step when upgrading the flooring.
It sets the foundation for your property’s style and functionality. You must make informed choices about the type of flooring that meets your requirements.
It is hard to distinguish between the kinds of flooring. They are comparable in thickness and, with proper maintenance, last for years. When you consider solid hardwood floors vs. engineered hardwood floors, the choice depends on availability and maintenance.
Are you worried about how to choose the right hardwood flooring for construction projects?
Consider the key differences between two popular floor types and get a clear idea.
Selecting a particular kind of flooring can be thrilling and challenging. There are clear differences that make each one unique.
Consider your budget and the desired location to install the flooring while deciding.
Many homeowners consider solid hardwood the “gold standard” for flooring options. It is made from a single solid piece of 100% hardwood. Solid hardwood flooring is produced with industry-grade craftsmanship and is popular for its strength, authenticity, and enduring quality. It is valued for its durability, color uniformity, and highly refined grain.
On the other hand, engineered hardwood is made of layers with 100% natural wood on top. It has a highly stable core in the middle, which has 5 to 7 layers of plywood placed together in a crisscrossed pattern.
This structural balance makes engineered hardwood flooring durable. It is less likely to shift, expand, or contract when exposed to environmental changes, such as temperature, moisture, and humidity.
Solid hardwood is available in Oak, Maple, and Hickory, the most durable and wear-resistant wood species. It is available in a range of widths, up to 5″, with varied color and texture options. According to your requirements, you can find numerous ways to express your style.
On the other hand, engineered hardwood provides multiple design choices. You might discover designs that can only be achieved with engineered wood. It includes softer exotic varieties, unique textures, specific surface finishes, color variations, and broader planks.
You can find them in stunning flooring collections like Dolce Vita, which includes unique engineered hardwood floors like Diamante, Brunello, Domenico, and more.
Solid hardwood flooring performs well in above-ground areas, including living rooms, dining spaces, kitchens, and bedrooms. Avoid using solid surfaces in bathrooms or laundry areas where water and moisture are problematic.
Due to its thin build, engineered hardwood flooring offers a wide range of installation options. Its engineered design makes it an excellent option for basements and installations. It is ideal for radiant heating and concrete surfaces. It is suitable for projects where the hardwood floor matches the height of the adjoining floors.
Durability plays a key role when considering solid hardwood flooring vs. engineered hardwood flooring.
Solid hardwood durability depends on the type of product and the protective finish applied. Choose more durable woods, such as Oak and Hickory, for enhanced dent resistance. You can depend on solid hardwood floors to remain durable for years. They are effective even after multiple sanding and refinishing processes.
Engineered hardwood can be sanded and refinished several times. It can be easily done if the upper layer is thick. The flooring with a durable finish can last long and resist scratches. You must choose engineered hardwood flooring instead of solid hardwood if the moisture, humidity, and temperature pose a risk.
Solid hardwood flooring absorbs sound more than engineered hardwood flooring. It has superior acoustic characteristics compared to engineered hardwood. Its density absorbs reverberation, but its rigidity evenly spreads the sound throughout the space.
Hardwood flooring is secured to the subfloor, ensuring its stability. After installation, the boards will creak and squeak while settling in. If the creaking persists after a few months, it could be due to an uneven subfloor or a problem with the installation.
Both types of floors are relatively quiet. Engineered hardwood floors have a more hollow sound than solid wood floors. This flooring can be nailed or stapled to the subfloor or laid down as a floating floor.
Engineered hardwood does not effectively absorb sounds when used as a floating floor. The plywood foundation has a lower density than solid hardwood.
Are you wondering how to estimate the cost of hardwood flooring? By understanding how the cost varies depending on the hardwood floor type, you can make an informed decision.
Solid hardwood flooring generally costs more than engineered hardwood flooring. However, multiple factors influence the price. Solid hardwood flooring costs depend on factors like a lifetime warranty, superior protective finish, unique texture, and more.
On the other hand, engineered hardwood flooring is cheaper than solid flooring. However, the premium collections are similar in cost. They provide enhanced durability and feature a thicker top layer. They also allow additional sanding and refinishing and come in distinct designs.
Engineered hardwood floors are more resistant to water than solid hardwood floors, but they are not waterproof. Due to their plywood build, they offer superior performance in humid areas, enhance stability, and reduce the chances of warping.
Every layer of wood is positioned at a right angle to the adjacent ply. Even though it is more water-resistant, it should not be placed in humid areas. This flooring starts to delaminate if exposed to water for a long time.
It is not advisable to install solid hardwood over concrete slabs. Moisture passing through the concrete can cause solid hardwood to swell and warp. A durable hardwood floor is not advised for use in moist areas such as bathrooms.
Implement sweeping, dry-mopping, or vacuuming to properly clean solid hardwood floors. Mop with a damp cloth only when needed, and utilize only a recommended wood cleaner. Avoid using a steam cleaner on wooden floors, ensuring its longevity.
On the other hand, cleaning engineered hardwood floors is simple and hassle-free. Engineered hardwood can handle moisture, address spills, and avoid excess water exposure. You must place felt pads under the furniture and high-traffic areas. It will protect the floors from scratches and add a layer of protection.
You must sweep or vacuum each day to ensure proper maintenance. To clean engineered hardwood floors, use a slightly damp mop or hire a professional cleaner. Avoid using a steam cleaner on engineered wood flooring.
Solid hardwood and engineered hardwood floors come in almost similar sizes. The engineered hardwood, however, can be found in broader planks at more affordable prices due to lower production expenses.
Engineered hardwood planks are typically thinner, with boards commonly ranging from 3/8 to 9/16 inches thick. The boards come in significantly larger sizes, extending up to 7 inches. Their lengths usually range from 12 to 60 inches.
The standard solid hardwood flooring boards are 3/4 inches thick and range from 2-1/4 to 4 inches in width. They are available in different lengths, ranging from 12 to 84 inches. Solid hardwood flooring is rarely wider than 4 inches. Wide plank solid wood flooring can be found at significantly elevated prices.
Solid hardwood and engineered hardwood are high-quality flooring options. These floors enhance the value of your home.
Real estate agents and prospective homeowners value solid hardwood floors more than engineered hardwood. This is mainly due to their enhanced durability and variety of wood species and colors.
Engineered hardwood floors are gaining popularity in this market. The real estate agents and prospective homeowners value this wood flooring.
Solid hardwood involves cutting multiple trees compared to engineered wood. However, solid hardwood can be reclaimed, reused, or recycled to create other items. Additionally, when it has to be disposed of after its usable life, it is biodegradable and will not generate waste.
Engineered hardwood flooring features a thin layer of natural wood on top of its plywood or HDF core. Compared to solid hardwoods, it consumes fewer trees per plank and utilizes the byproducts and waste generated from other wood manufacturing processes.
It is also made with adhesives and resins that might emit gases or have volatile organic compounds. Engineered hardwood cannot decompose, has a short lifespan, and gets discarded in landfills.
Solid hardwood flooring features narrow seams between the boards. Compared to engineered hardwood flooring, it offers a wider variety of colors and species. Solid hardwood comes in prefinished and unfinished options, like Pizzo or Luigi, complementing any interior design style.
Engineered hardwood flooring is primarily prefinished. Compared to solid hardwood, the selection of colors and species is more limited. Engineered hardwood planks are generally broader.
Some prefinished engineered hardwood flooring features slightly beveled edges, which result in subtle indentations between the boards.
Solid hardwood and engineered hardwood floors are ideal if you want to revamp your space.
Solid hardwood floors offer unmatched durability, longevity, and the potential for numerous refinishing options. This flooring is an excellent investment for homeowners, enhancing the aesthetic appeal.
On the other hand, engineered hardwood is designed for versatility and stability. It performs well in fluctuating temperature and humidity conditions.
It is an excellent choice for moisture-prone areas like basements or kitchens. The decision depends on personal preferences, budget, and the specific needs of your space.
At European Flooring, we offer a wide range of hardwood flooring options. Choose the ideal type of flooring to elevate the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your premises.
Explore top-notch flooring solutions and choose a sustainable wood floor to last a lifetime.
Contact us, and we will bring your dream flooring to life.