Installing new hardwood floors in your home or commercial building takes a little planning. There are a lot of considerations to be made, but one of the most important is determining what type of wood is right for you. So, let’s dive into the age-old question: Should you choose solid or engineered wood?
Solid vs. Engineered Wood
It’s important to understand that both solid and engineered floors are made of real wood. Often, engineered wood gets confused with vinyl floors. However, the word “engineered” in this context just means that the plank has been created using multiple layers of wood veneers.
As far as aesthetics, both solid and engineered wood come in many species and both can be stained to match your color preference, or left in their most natural state for an organic effect.
Solid Wood Floors
There’s not a lot of guesswork when it comes to describing solid wood floors. As implied in the name, they are made from one solid slab of wood from top to bottom. Or end to end. One of the benefits of solid wood flooring is that due to its thickness, you can sand and refinish them many times over.
That means that you can smooth away scratches and dents over time, or you can sand and refinish with a completely new color or shine if your aesthetic or style changes over time.
However, before choosing solid wood floors, you have to consider where the floor will be located. Solid wood floors should never be installed in a basement, or below grade. But, for any room above ground, these are an excellent choice.
Engineered Wood Floors
That being said, if you are looking to get wood floors below ground, then engineered floors is the way to go. One of the many benefits of engineered wood floors is their sturdiness and compatibility with a room that is below ground, which will often have a higher moisture content than above ground rooms.
But, these are also perfect for all other rooms in the home. They are particularly suited for the kitchen area, where there is a chance for more moisture and fluctuating temperatures. One downside to engineered flooring is that their wear layer is much thinner than solid wood, and there is a limit to how often you can sand and refinish.
Hardwood Flooring Retailer in Colorado
Once you’ve decided on solid or engineered wood, it’s time to talk about aesthetics, like color, texture, and design. Often, engineered wood will be a bit less expensive than solid wood so that they may be easier on your budget.
If you want to talk to an expert about your options or see your wood flooring choices up close and personal, schedule a free consultation at our Evergreen and Denver showrooms. We’ll help guide you through the whole process from start to finish, making sure you make the right choices for your home, budget, and style!
