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Which type of wood flooring is ideal, engineered or solid?

Saturday, November 13, 2021 12:00 AM
Tags: Wood flooring, hardwood flooring company, solid hardwood flooring

Solid hardwood flooring and engineered floors are excellent choices and, while they both have a few similarities, they each have different attributes that will appeal to various people. The best way to answer that question is to give you a detailed comparison. If you still have questions, feel free to come into our hardwood flooring company for more information.

Similarities in appearance and more

With either, you will have your beautiful oak, hickory, maple--or whatever your species-of-choice is--floors. They will both have undertones, quirky knots, texturing, and all the things that make a wood floor unique. In addition, they both can be refinished and add value to a property.

Different construction = greater stability

While solid is one thickness all the way through, the engineered floor is layered. The top also called the veneer layer, is where you'll have your gorgeous wood floors. Underneath, however, are three or more layers of genuine wood combined with resin and placed in a crosswise position, resulting in a floor that won't expand and shrink to adjust to weather conditions.

Because it handles water better, it is more resistant to warping, cupping, and crowning and can be placed in higher-than-normal moisture areas. As a result, engineered is taking over a significant share of the wood flooring industry simply because it appeals to those who want both beauty and practicality.

Other differences include:

1. Finishing: Engineered is always pre-finished, and solid can be either finished at the factory or on-site.
2. Installation: Solid is always the traditional tongue and groove/nail down, while engineered offers a variety, including the floating floor. When floors float, the pieces click together, mat, and hover over a subfloor without nails or glue.
3. Plank width: Solid has many narrow and wide planks, while engineered is always five inches or more. At our flooring store, we have a large assortment of different widths, from as narrow as 2.25 inches to 9.5 inches, as well as random widths.
4. Cost: Engineered is somewhat less expensive, most likely because of the uncomplicated installment techniques.

Hardwood flooring is an excellent investment. It combines the natural beauty of wood with real estate value-adding and long-lasting ability, which translates to few replacement costs. Come into the Clayton Flooring Center showroom in Clayton, NC, servicing Garner, Fuquay-Varina, Smithfield, and Raleigh for more information and a free quote.