Engineered Hardwood Flooring VS Solid Hardwood: What You Need to Know

One of the things that most homeowners struggle deciding on is whether to go for solid hardwood or engineered hardwood flooring living in Grande Prairie. If you’re having a hard time deciding which flooring type to choose, it’s probably because you don’t know the details. The following are the important aspects you need to know about these two popular flooring types:

Composition

Engineered hardwood flooring is a layered product made of multiple layers of derivative wood products like plywood, MDF, or OSB. The top layer, also referred to as the wear layer, is made of a real but thin slice of hardwood, while the base layers are made of high quality wood products.

Solid hardwood flooring, on the other hand, is a dense product that is made of hardwood from top to bottom. It’s made from real solid hardwoods such as maple and Oak, and it comes in an array of differently sized cuts.

Cost

Engineered hardwood flooring costs anywhere from $3 to $5/sq.ft and is generally cheaper compared to solid hardwood. The cost of engineered hardwood flooring will vary depending on various factors such as plank thickness, number of layers, and type of wood used.

Solid hardwood flooring, on the other hand, is more expensive in comparison, with the cost of most hardwood floors ranging from $8 to $15/sq.ft. The cost of solid hardwood flooring will vary depending on the type of wood species used, with harder wood types being more costly.

Installation

Engineered hardwood flooring is DIY-friendly and easier to install. This flooring type comes in planks that allow for different installation methods, including gluing, nailing or stapling, and fold and lock. Furthermore, it can be placed directly onto a floating basis, concrete, and over radiant heat systems.

Solid hardwood flooring, in contrast, is not so easy to install. While most solid wood floorings available today are pre-cut into easy-to-install tongue and groove planks, they still require the help of a professional to install. Unlike engineered hardwood flooring, solid hardwood flooring cannot be installed over radiant heat systems and floating basis.

Resilience

Engineered hardwood flooring is better at dealing with moisture than solid hardwood. This makes it an excellent choice for water-prone areas such as the kitchen and the bathroom. The durability of engineered wood mainly depends on the number of layers the engineered wood has, and the type of protective finishes applied.

Although solid hardwood flooring is not as water-resilient as engineered hardwood flooring, it’s extremely durable when well maintained. The durability of solid hardwood depends on the type of wood used, whether the flooring is finished, and where it is installed.

Visit us today to choose the most durable, resilient and easy-to-install engineered hardwood flooring in Grande Prairie.

REQUEST FLOORING INFO