So, have you made up your mind to upgrade your home’s flooring to some amazing and good wooden floors? Great. We have a wide range of wooden floors for you. Before making a purchase we suggest having complete knowledge about the material you are picking for your home.
Engineered Wood Floors Vs. Solid Wood Floor
Are you confused between engineered wood floors and solid wood floors? Don’t worry this article has a complete guide about both the materials. Lets see the advantages and disadvantages of both materials so that you can make the right decision for your home or office.
What is a solid wood floor?
Solid wood is a natural wood that is obtained by the fallen trees. We all had beautiful furniture and other things of wood in our home when there was plenty of wood. Now solid wood comes in different varieties such as oak, teak, rosewood, rubberwood, white cedar and maple.
What are engineered wood floors?
Since forests were reduced natural wood has become rare and difficult to come therefore furniture made of solid wood has become extremely expensive. Engineered wood of many sorts began to be used as a substitute for solid wood that was not easily accessible. The most popular types of engineered woods available for producing furniture are plywood, HDF (high-density fibreboard) or MDF (medium-density fibreboard), particleboard, and veneered boards. Solid wood has become a non-renewable resource and it is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than these alternatives.
Which is the better option for you?
Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of both the materials to find the best one for you.
Durability
The durability of solid wood depends on how you protect and maintain your wood. Harder wood such as oak and hickory are dent resistant and long lasting whereas solid wood floors are generally long lasting than other materials and they don’t need a lot of maintenance. If you want to stain or stain your wooden floor you can do that at times.
Whereas engineered wood floors can also be sanded and painted even after it is thick enough. It can also tolerate scratches and it is a lifetime product like solid wood. If moisture, humidity, or temperature are issues, such as in basement installations, engineered hardwood flooring is a better option than solid hardwood.
Style and species
Solid hardwood comes in three species: oak, maple, and hickory, which are the toughest and most wear-resistant. You’ll find various ways to add unique style to your home with a selection of widths up to 5′′ and a multitude of colors and textures.
Engineered hardwood has a lot of the same design possibilities as solid hardwood. You could also come across ideas that are uniquely conceivable with engineered wood, such as softer exotic species, speciality textures, specific surface treatments, color effects, and extra-wide boards.
Location of the Installation
Above-ground spaces, such as living and dining rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms, are good for solid hardwood flooring. We do not advocate placing solid in bathrooms or laundry rooms because of the risk of water and humidity.
Engineered hardwood flooring is used in the same spaces as solid hardwood, but because of its engineered composition, it is best for basements, radiant heating, and concrete floors. However, stay away from restrooms and laundry facilities. Because engineered hardwood is somewhat thinner than solid hardwood, it’s good for jobs where your hardwood floor needs to match the height of a neighboring floor or fit beneath kitchen equipment.
Cost
Solid hardwood flooring is more expensive than engineered hardwood flooring, but still there are many factors to consider. A lifetime warranty, a high protective finish, a specific texture, or an artistic staining process are all factors that might raise the total cost.
Engineered hardwood floors are often less expensive until you reach premium collections, which are more akin to solid hardwood floors. These may have a thicker top layer that allows for more sanding and refinishing, or they may have unusual patterns.
Conclusion
Overall, solid and engineered wood floors are both good materials. If you want a long-lasting real wood floor. Solid wood flooring has drawbacks. Engineered flooring offers all of the advantages of solid wood flooring, plus a few more such as being extremely durable, being suited for underfloor heating, and being available in a variety of widths and lengths. The one major disadvantage of engineered flooring is that you can refinish a solid wood floor more easily than an engineered floor. However, if you take good care of your engineered wood floor and follow maintenance instructions, you shouldn’t have to sand it down very often.
However, the decision is entirely yours, and you should base it on what is best for you and your needs, but be assured that both are long-lasting flooring options that will bring beauty and charm to any area.