The type of flooring you choose can be a huge design factor for your home. You also want to make sure that the type of flooring you choose is suitable for where you plan on putting it, because not all flooring can be interchangeable. When deciding between solid hardwood floors and engineered hardwood floors, there are a variety of factors that can contribute to making the right decision.
Cost of Hardwood Floors
Solid hardwood floors are undoubtedly more expensive than engineered hardwood. Solid flooring is completely comprised of wood, using more material, versus engineered wood that only has a top layer of the chosen wood. Regardless of deciding on unfinished or prefinished wood, solid hardwood is going to be more expensive. The price differences may be justifiable to some due to how much longer solid hardwood floors can last.
Longevity of Hardwood Floors
One of the benefits of solid wood flooring is that it will last for hundreds of years, especially if cared for properly. Engineered wood, specifically of higher quality, can last about 80 years at best. This is related to how often the floor can be sanded and refinished. If the floor is solid wood, it can be sanded much more than engineered wood due to the whole plank being comprised of wood versus only a thin layer. Solid wood can more reliably be sanded and refinished if possibly damaged, and this might not be an option with engineered wood, playing a large factor in the different woods’ longevities.
Placement Options for Different Hardwoods
Both hardwood options cannot be used in the same ways. Climate and environment impact solid hardwood much more than engineered wood. In places where there is a lot of moisture or humidity, solid hardwood probably isn’t your best option. Different kinds of warping, like cupping or gapping can occur to solid wood if exposed to areas with high humidity.
Engineered wood is becoming one of the more popular hardwood options due to its similarity to solid hardwood flooring. When deciding on which type of hardwood flooring to purchase, aside from personal preference, it ultimately comes down to where you want to have the hardwood installed and your budget.
