PREFINISHED HARDWOOD FLOORS

There are 2 main types of prefinished hardwood floorings: engineered hardwood flooring and solid hardwood flooring.  Here are the big differences between engineered and solid hardwood floorings:

Differences Between Engineered and Solid Hardwood Floors

Home or office, it is important for you to design and install the right kind of fixtures. Even when there is a huge myriad of options to choose from, flooring plays a vital role in any property. This is why you should choose your floor type carefully.

Over the years, the demand for hardwood floors has increased drastically. Hundreds of thousands of property owners invest thousands of dollars on beautiful hardwood floors that are both comfortable and premium.

When it comes to hardwood flooring, you have so many options to choose from. And, the most commonly used ones are the engineered hardwood floors and the solid ones! Choosing the right hardwood type for your property is important, this is because the construction, installation and maintenance process depends on what you pick!

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

What is Engineered hardwood flooring?

By definition, engineered hardwood flooring comprises of multiple layers of wood. These layers are also known as piles. The layers are carefully bonded together using high pressure and heat. The core of these planks are made of plywood or hardwood. And, the top surface comprises of veneer hardwood materials. The engineered hardwood floors are much different from the laminated ones. In the laminates, you will find several varieties of artificial materials. These artificial materials are designed to appear like real wood. However, they are not real wood! On the other hand, engineered hardwood is made of actual wood!

By just looking at the engineered hardwood, you will not be able to spot the differences. This is because manufacturers invest lots of time and effort putting together hardwood planks that look and feel real.

Solid hardwood is considered as a rival for the engineered hardwood floors. Both of these floors can add more value to your property. And, engineered hardwood floors from reputed brands will last for centuries with proper maintenance and care.

Pros of Engineered Hardwood Floors

Now that you are aware of what engineered hardwood floors mean, you must be aware of its benefits!

The list of benefits in buying engineered hardwood floors always begins with stability. When compared to many other types of flooring, these hardwood varieties are truly durable. After proper installation, these floors are bound to last for a very long time. This is one of the major reasons why home owners and office spaces invest on engineered hardwood.

Secondly, engineered hardwood is known for its enhanced versatility. You have the freedom to install these floors on any level in your building. Whether it is the ground floor, or the top-most floor – you can install engineered hardwood. External factors like humidity will not cause the layers of wood to ripple, buckle or expand.

Finally, there are so many different types of engineered hardwood to choose from. There are numerous widths, grades, textures and species available in the market. This kind of flooring gives home owners the freedom to test their creativity on how their home should look and feel.

Fact: If you wish to install and maintain engineered hardwood floors for a longer period of time, you must ensure that water doesn’t seep into it. At all times, ensure that water doesn’t get in touch with the wooden plans or subfloor.

Best Places for Engineered Hardwood Floors

Moving on, you must appreciate the fact that some places in your home are meant for engineered hardwood floors. This includes the basements, kitchens, surfaces exposed to high heat, concrete slabs and bathrooms.

According to experts, anywhere with high traffic and frequent usage needs a good quality engineered hardwood floor.

Installing Engineered Hardwood Floors

An important benefit, and an inevitable drawback in engineered hardwood floors comes during installation. Let’s begin with the reward: when compared to traditional wooden flooring, the engineered kind is easy to install. The process is extremely simple. However, the simple installation requires experience and expertise. After all, engineered hardwood floors are all about layers of wood stacked on top of each other. If the stacking is not done properly, you will face issues like water leakage, and the increase risk of termite attacks.

Solid Hardwood Flooring

What are solid hardwood floors?

By definition, solid wooden floors are extracted from a single piece of wood. The timber is carefully air dried before being cut into smaller pieces. Solid wooden timbers are cut in three different ways, rift sawn, quarter sawn or flat sawn. The method used to cut the timber depends on the look and finish you want to have. Moreover, solid wood can be cut into various dimensions and designs.

When compared to other types of hardwood, solid wood needs to be store carefully. This is because the product should not get in touch with moisture.

Pros of Solid Hardwood Floors

One of the primary reasons to buy solid wooden floors is for its durability. There are so many affordable varieties of hardwood in the market. However, nothing beats the premium nature of solid wood. These pieces of wood can last for years without any maintenance. Solid wood from trees like the Oak and walnut have rich appearances, and are highly durable. Regardless of how heavy the use is, these wooden floors are meant to last long.

Not all solid wood floors are expensive. You do have cheaper varieties too. Cedar and pine are softer formed of solid wood. These trees need lessor time to grow, and that is why soft solid woods are cheaper.

Most people admire solid wooden floors because scratches can give it a rustic finish. Whenever there is a scratch on the surface of the floor, you don’t need to worry about losing its overall value. Instead, the shabbiness in scratched wood shows its unique and ageless nature.

Drawbacks of Solid Hardwood Floors

Solid wooden floors are known for its interesting installation procedure. These are pieces of wood that gets sold in 5/8 to ¾ inch thickness. Solid wooden flooring has the authentic and characteristic look of natural wood. And, since these are bare pieces of natural wood, the surface has to be refinished and sanded multiple times. According to experts, this is one of the major drawbacks in choosing solid wood. During installation and periodic maintenance routines, the surface needs to be sanded.

Another factor to be considered during the installation of solid wood would be humidity. These types of wood are highly susceptible to changes in air quality and humidity. This is why basements of poor quality, and properties in humid places are not advised to use these floors.

Best places for solid wooden floors

Unlike engineered hardwood floors, the solid wood can be used throughout the home. It’s usage is not limited to the basement or kitchen. Instead, you can choose from a variety of solid woods for your bedrooms, living areas, patios and more!

In simpler terms, solid wooden floors can be installed from the roof top of your home to the basement! This is a versatile choice for any home.

Conclusion

There are marked differences between engineered hardwood and solid wooden floors. It is important for you to choose the right kind of flooring for your home. Factors like location, budget, preference and age of your home should be taken into consideration.

Regardless of the flooring option you pick, wooden floors will definitely boost the look and feel of your home. A wooden floor is always an informed decision made by home owners! After all, is there any other kind of flooring that looks premium, and can boost the worth of your property?