Planning to install new flooring?
This can be one of the best ways to change the appearance of your home and give it a major facelift. It can also increase property value.
But knowing what kind of flooring to put in can be tough, especially when it comes to deciding between solid hardwood floors and engineered wood floors. Sometimes your home’s construction will dictate which option you need.
Engineered hardwood has really stepped up its game in terms of quality and appearance. Many people can’t even tell the difference from solid hardwood! However, there are still some factors to consider before committing to one.
Read on to learn more about the difference between the floors and which is best for your home and lifestyle.
What’s the Difference
Don’t confuse engineered hardwood with laminate. That’s not what we’re comparing here. Laminate floor is not real wood at all. It has the appearance of real wood but it’s fake.
Engineered wood is actually real hardwood. It’s just constructed in layers as opposed to one solid piece. We know calling it engineered hardwood can have an off-putting ring to it, making most people think it’s fake. But it’s not and has a real wood wear layer on top.
Solid Hardwood Floors
Solid hardwood flooring will often be the first choice for many. They want the authentic feel that solid wood brings. At the end of the day, solid hardwood floors are likely to look a little better than a cheap engineered floor. Thats why if you need engineered its important to choose quality!
They’ll also last longer because you can maintain them by sanding and refinishing them when needed as opposed to replacing the flooring altogether for cheap engineered. When you’re deciding if hardwood floors are right for you, it’s important to consider other factors besides the cost of just the material.
You’ll have to take into account what material is below where the hardwood will be placed. If it needs to be leveled, sanded down or fixed in order to install the solid hardwood, that could add up when it comes to cost.
If you have any solid hardwood throughout your home and are only considering redoing a certain room or area, you may want to opt for more solid hardwood. This way you will be more likely to match the existing hardwood when it comes to height and color.
Engineered Hardwood Floors
Engineered hardwood floors are still made out of authentic wood. They have thick layers which allow for refinishing several times. With engineered hardwood floors, you can opt to order them unfinished and finish them on site once they’re installed just like you would a solid hardwood floor.
They are usually more durable and damage resistant than solid hardwood. Some engineered hardwood is also available at a more affordable price than solid hardwood. You may notice with lower-priced engineered hardwood that the boards are shorter and the planks are thinner.
Be careful to get a high quality engineered hardwood. Otherwise, the floor can look or sound cheap.
What’s Right for You?
Now that you understand the main differences between engineered and solid hardwood floors, you can determine which one works best for your living space.
Be sure to get samples and bring them into your home. See how they look against one another so you make a decision with all the information at hand.
We’d love to help you find the perfect flooring for your home. Contact us today for a quote or with any questions!