The choice between engineered hardwood or solid hardwood is an unending one in the flooring industry. Both options have their respective advantages and disadvantages. And it’s up to you to choose the one that suits your needs best.
A 2021 PR Newswire report predicts the global engineered hardwood to reach a revenue of over thirty billion dollars by 2026.
Engineered floors are fast becoming a favourite amongst manufacturers and consumers because of their cost-effectiveness. But it doesn’t affect the thriving solid hardwood market.
This article is a detailed comparison of engineered hardwood vs solid hardwood. Here, we analyze both wood options based on different features to help you make a better choice.
Engineered Hardwood Vs Solid Hardwood
It’s never easy to choose between engineered and solid hardwood. But with the following factors, you should be able to make a better decision:
Appearance and Size
Based on appearance – solid and engineered hardwood floors are both great options. You’ll be getting different wood types, designs, and colour shades from engineered and solid floors. It’s all up to you to choose.
Solid wood floors can come in an unfinished or prefinished design. The floor also appears narrowed because of the tight seams across the boards. And it has more colour and design options than engineered hardwood.
Engineered hardwood floors usually have prefinished designs, and they look wider. You get a lot of colour and design options, but not as much as solid hardwood.
Stability in Moisture and Heat
It’s hard to choose the best between engineered and solid hardwood in terms of stability. Both wood floor options are stable in natural environmental conditions.
But a wood floor is never a good choice when considering moisture and heat. Wood tends to warp in humid and hot areas. It’s better not to install engineered or solid hardwood in humid home areas like the kitchen or bathroom.
Engineered hardwood floors have plywood planks within them and can perform better under heat and moisture.
Lifespan
Whether you choose engineered hardwood or solid hardwood, you’ll always want your wood floor to last long.
Solid hardwood is miles ahead of engineered hardwood in this regard. Engineered floors last between 25-30 years under great care and maintenance. But a solid hardwood floor can last up to a century if installed and maintained correctly.
Related Article: Oak Floors vs Chevon Flooring – What are the Differences?
Durability and Strength
The durability and strength of your wood floor are crucial in areas with high traffic. Both engineered and solid hardwood floors have the strength to withstand high foot traffic.
But solid hardwood floors have better durability to keep their strength over time because it’s the full wood plank all through.
For instance – a solid red oak floor has red oak all through the wood. But on an engineered floor, the red oak is only on the uppermost layer.
Maintenance
Maintaining your floor is important to its lifespan, whether you have engineered hardwood or solid hardwood.
Both flooring options are easy to maintain to last. All you need to do is to sweep and vacuum regularly. Then mop with a wood cleaner at regular intervals. The only rule is to avoid using water and heat while cleaning the floor.
But solid hardwood floors have the edge over engineered floors because of refinishing. You can refinish a solid floor multiple times because it’s the same wood all through.
But for engineered floors, the hardwood is only at the top. This means there’s a limit to how much you can refinish.
Cost
When you want to buy engineered or solid hardwood, cost always comes to mind. Both flooring options surprisingly don’t have a large cost difference. But engineered floors save you money a little bit.
You can buy engineered hardwood flooring for as low as $2.5 per square foot. But the cost is usually between $4 and $8 per square foot. And in rare cases, the cost may run to $10 per square foot.
Solid hardwood floors have an average cost range of between $8 to $20. The wood type is the most influential factor in increasing or decreasing the price.
Installation costs of engineered and solid hardwood are the same.
Ease of Installation
Installing a solid hardwood floor will always require you to nail the board to a subfloor before using the tongue and groove system.
Engineered floors can work with the nail-down method, but you can also use these floors as floating. And if you have a concrete floor, you can glue the engineered floor.
You’ll prefer engineered floors better as a DIYer.
Ecological Impact
It’s hard to choose between engineered and solid hardwood based on their environmental impact.
At the initial stage, solid floors require more trees to make the wood floor, while engineered require only a little.
But in the long run, a solid hardwood floor will last longer and won’t affect any new trees. And a used solid floor can work well to create engineered hardwood.
Resale Value
If a real estate agent has to buy engineered or solid hardwood, the solid will be the likely choice.
Solid and engineered hardwood appear alike. But the refinishing and redesigning advantage and its longevity mean solid floors will sell better.
Should I Buy Engineered Hardwood or Solid Hardwood?
You’ve made the right choice whether you choose engineered hardwood or solid hardwood.
Both options are great, and self-analysis is always better for making the right choice. Your needs and situation will determine which is a better floor for you.
If you own where you live and would love a floor option that’ll last long without stress or maintenance, solid hardwood is the best choice.
But engineered hardwood floors are the better option if you want a functional floor that will take less of your money.
Related Article: Which Wood Flooring is The Best Choice?
How to Choose Between Engineered and Solid Hardwood
Engineered hardwood or solid hardwood are two great floor options to pick. The advantages of solid floors slightly outweigh their engineered counterparts. But engineered floors also have many advantages, especially easy installation.
You just need to understand what you can afford and how well it suits your home best.
Visit LV Flooring for both engineered and solid hardwood floors that you can trust.
Check our catalogue of flooring options. We offer both engineered hardwood and solid hardwood planks in different beautiful designs.
