Engineered wood or solid wood flooring: Which is best?

If you want to redo and interiors of your residential or commercial space and is wondering whether to go for engineered wood flooring or solid wood flooring, then look no further as this article would give you the perfect solution. In the past, solid wood floor manufacturers styled engineered wood flooring, as a more affordable and reasonable substitute for the solid wood flooring. The solid wood flooring is still marked and viewed by the consumers as true wood flooring, where the engineered wood flooring comes as second.

In recent times, engineered wood flooring comprises of the majority of the wood floor market. However, in a global sense, none of the wood floorings can be taken as premium in true sense. So we would try to find out the advantages and disadvantages of both the flooring types so that comparing them you would be able to make the right informed decision.

Which one is better?

Basics

Engineered wood flooring: It is a layered product that is made up of an actual but thin wood slice of hardwood on top and a good quality ply on the bottom.

Solid wood flooring: They are made up of homogeneous hardwood from top to bottom and all sides.

Finishing

Engineered wood flooring: They are mostly pre-finished, though some of the manufacturers make site-finished flooring as well.

Solid wood flooring: They are mostly pre-finished and that is what is mostly preferred by people around the world. However, around 25% of this wood flooring comes in the form of site finished.

Sanding

Engineered wood flooring: It can be sanded lightly once or twice. This should be done before the thin upper layer wears out.

Solid wood flooring: It can be sanded as many times as needed unless the floor becomes too thin. Sanding can be done until the wood’s structural integrity is compromised.

Installation

Engineered wood flooring: They are easy to install and has a greater range of installation methods.

Solid wood flooring: They can only be installed by nailing or stapling down.

Resale value

Engineered wood flooring: They are made of real wood and thus have a greater demand in the real estate market.

Solid wood flooring: As long as it is in good shape, its value is comparable to the engineered wood flooring

Durability

Engineered wood flooring: they are not as durable as solid wood due to its thin surface

Solid wood flooring: they can last for decades when maintained properly

Moisture

Engineered wood flooring: They are much better in dealing with moisture

Solid wood flooring: They are not at all good when it comes to dealing with moisture

Final words

Engineered wood flooring is great for those who love the look of wood but have a practical bent. You can install this on most of the rooms compared to the rooms where solid hardwood floorings can be installed. It would return the value of the investment but does not have the longevity of the solid hardwood flooring.

Thus, it can be said that solid hardwood floor is great for those who seek durability. They would return the value in the coming years down the line.

The editorial unit