Solid Hardwood Flooring Vs. Engineered Wood Flooring
There is a sheer difference between solid hardwood and engineered wood flooring. Knowing the difference between these two options is essential as it can really impact your budget and personal preferences. As a result, it is vital to understand what makes these to flooring products so unique. To help you with this, Parsons Interiors Ltd. has compared solid hardwood flooring vs. engineered wood flooring below. Keep reading to see how they stack up against each other and which one is best for your needs.
a. Solid hardwood flooring
One of the biggest benefits of choosing solid hardwood flooring is the fact that they offer more durability than engineered flooring. There’s also a great variety of wood available with solid wood flooring. They can even be sanded and refinished more than engineered woods, which makes them easier to repair. If required, you can buy unfinished hardwood to match the colour to your existing floors.
The downside to solid hardwood floors is that they expand and contract with changes in humidity. This can cause the cracks and gaps between the floorboards to increase. Additionally, solid wood flooring is not suitable for areas where it may come in contact with water— for example, the kitchen, bathroom, or basement.
b. Engineered wood
A major advantage of engineered wood is that it is more water-resistant than solid wood flooring. Similarly, engineered wood is easier to install than solid hardwood as it can be applied to concrete sub-floors, like in basements. It even comes with multiple application methods. For example, it can be installed with a nail down, glue, or float. Another benefit is that it doesn’t expand and contract like solid wood flooring.
When it comes to the cons of engineered wood, you need to note that many of these floors are made from lower grades of wood, which can make them look cheaper compared to solid wood. Engineered floors that are floating may also sound like they are artificial because the floor may shift when you walk on it.
Bottom line
Solid wood floors are great for any home, as long as you’re aware that you will need a different type of flooring in rooms like the kitchen and bathroom. That said, in the long run, you’re more likely to get your money’s worth with solid wood.
Engineered wooden floors are also a comparable option to solid wood and are great for people who want one type of floor throughout their space and aren’t willing to spend as much as the cost of solid wood. But while this flooring has strong monetary value, it won’t last as long as solid wood.
As you can see, both flooring options are great products with similar characteristics and their own set of pros and cons. So your choice should be based on your requirements and budget.
When trying to decide between the two, think of where your wood floors are going to be installed, how long you want them to last, and also consider that engineered floors may have limited colour options. Once you’ve taken all of these factors into consideration, you should be able to make your decision with ease.
If you’re still struggling to make your choice, reach out to us at Parsons Interiors Ltd. As certified interior decorating and design professionals serving Oakville, Mississauga, The GTA, we have the right skills to guide you to the best products for your home. We are committed to your needs as our client and will patiently listen to your requirements to ensure each one is met to perfection. If you come across a design dilemma or décor ideas which demand professional help to pull off, we are happy to assist you. With access to exceptional resources, we can easily bring your interior design and décor dreams to life.
For more insights about our services, please click here or get in touch with our experts by clicking here.