Solid Hardwood vs Engineered Wood Flooring
Given that there are countless choices of wooden flooring on the market, shopping around for the perfect option can make for a difficult task. That is why the experts here at Hudson Flooring are always on hand to help you along the way. The most important thing to understand before you start doing your research is to know the difference between solid hardwood and engineered wood. When you start doing your research you will notice that these are the two main classifications of real hardwood flooring.
How they are made
Engineered Wood – This type of wood flooring is created using three or more planks of wood which are then pressed and glued together in an overlapping pattern. The middle planks of wood will either be a high-density fibreboard (HDF) or medium density fibreboard (MDF), either way the top layer will be a real hardwood veneer to produce the desired finish.
Solid Hardwood – This type of wood flooring is manufactured out of one single solid plank of wood that has been milled to your specifications.
These two different manufacturing process result in both products having very different physical properties. Therefore, it is important to know the difference so that you can find the perfect option for your project.
Durability
All types of hardwood flooring are very durable and resist well to general wear and tear. The main factor that will affect this is the type of wood that is used for the flooring. So before you make your purchase, carry out some research into the type of wood that you are buying.
The biggest difference between solid wood and engineered wood flooring is their resistance to moisture. Due to the layers of engineered wood it reacts differently and is far more resistant to moisture than its solid counterpart. When wood is exposed to moisture it will begin to expand and contract, depending on the humidity. They will take on moisture in the humid months and dry out during the cold winter months. If you have chosen solid wood flooring then you may face this issue with your floorboards. We generally advise our customers that if their home is either very dry or humid to purchase engineered wood flooring, as the layers in these boards adjust to the swelling better.
Price
In general solid hardwood will cost more than its engineered counterpart, however the overall price of the flooring will depend entirely on the type of wood.
Appearance
There is very minimal difference in the overall appearance of solid and engineered wood. This is because the top layer of the engineered wood is made from the same material as the solid hardwood flooring. The appearance will only be different in the uniformity of the floorboards. Engineered floor will be designed with the optimal uniformity in mind, whilst on the other hand, the uniformity of solid wood flooring will depend on the grade and style you choose.
Installation
The installation process is almost the same for both engineered and solid wood. The main issue that you may have when installing wood flooring is with the subfloor. Hardwood flooring cannot be laid onto a subfloor that is made from concrete; if you have a concrete subfloor then you have to lay a plywood subfloor first. Hardwood floorboards will also have to acclimatise in your home before they can be laid.
Conclusion
Although there is minimal difference between solid hardwood and engineered wood flooring, the most important thing to take into account is the humidity and amount of moisture in the room that you are laying the flooring in. If you know that the humidity is above average you should consider going with engineered wood planks. Ultimately it is up to you to choose which type of flooring you would like to opt for. If you have any questions regarding the above please do not hesitate to give us a call and we will be more than happy to help.