In Evergreen, CO, many people stand by the belief that solid hardwood flooring is the best flooring option available. Solid hardwood remains a staple flooring choice in the design industry because of its versatility, beauty, and durability. Compared to solid hardwood, engineered wood just couldn’t keep up. But in recent years, engineered wood has become extremely popular. In both residential and commercial flooring markets, engineered wood has become well known for its ease of installation and ability to last in kitchen environments.
But which wood should you choose for your floors? Let’s compare these two wood types a little bit more.
Construction
Engineered wood is comprised of a thin slice of hardwood layered on a plywood base. Solid wood flooring is just what its name suggests: one slab of hardwood. Engineered wood panels are usually made thin, measuring half an inch in thickness at most. Hardwood is typically thicker, measuring in at an average thickness of ¾ of an inch.
Installation
Due to its lightness, engineered wood is easier to install than hardwood. The wood is easier to carry, and you can install it via a range of different methods, including nailing, stapling, gluing, and the fold-and-lock method. Solid hardwood flooring must be stapled or nailed down.
Solid or engineered wood—which do you think is better for your home and budget?
Style
Engineered wood floors usually come as pre-finished floors, meaning your options for wood and color selection are limited. You can buy hardwood pre-finished in a range of colors, but you can also buy unfinished floors and have them finished on-site, in a wide variety of different varnishes.
Sanding
Sanding is not recommended for engineered flooring. You can lightly sand an engineered wood floor once or twice, at most. Any more and the thin hardwood top will wear out. If you’re someone who loves to renovate and change the style of their home every few years, you’ll want to buy a solid hardwood floor. Solid wood can be sanded numerous times.
Need an expert opinion on which type of wood flooring would work best in your home? Speak to a professional at one of our T&G Flooring locations in Denver and Evergreen, or send us a message to book a consultation.