Who wouldn’t want to add warmth and beauty to their home? Most homeowners would agree that they would do anything to achieve that inviting vibe. That is perhaps one of the reasons why a lot of people prefer hardwood flooring for their homes. When it comes to wood flooring, though, should you go for solid hardwood or engineered wood floors? While both are made of real wood, there are big differences between the two.

Engineered wood behaves differently from solid wood floors. They are also less expensive and a whole lot easier to install. But you should not remove from the equation the type or species of wood used for a particular flooring, as that would also determine its qualities.

If they are both hardwood, how are they different?

Solid hardwood, as its name implies is a solid plank or board of wood. So it is a single piece of wood that is around ¾ inch thick. Due to its thickness, it can be refinished even after long years of being installed in the house. It can also be sanded down several times.

Engineered hardwood is a resilient option if you want wood floors to be installed in various areas of your home. Unlike the solid built of solid hardwood though, it is made of either plywood or core of hardwood with a layer of hardwood veneer on its top. Because it is made of genuine wood, though, it still gives your home a warm albeit modern look.  Engineered wood is more moisture and heat resistant compared to solid hardwood.

Solid and engineered wood are both designed to be aesthetically pleasing and durable at the same time. Their tough surfaces can withstand heavy foot traffic in active homes.  But they have different attributes too, when it comes to performance.

For one, solid wood is susceptible to expansion and contraction problems, and that is why installers leave a gap between the floor and the wall to accommodate any possible swelling. It is for this reason that this kind of flooring is applicable only to parts of the house that is above grade and only over plywood or any oriented strand board subfloors.

Engineered floors on the other hand are more moisture-resistant and are a bit more stable than slid hardwood. They can also go over concrete bases under the right conditions. Its unique construction makes it less likely to gap or react to humidity changes, so they can be installed below ground like in your basement.

Both solid hardwood and engineered wood floors have their pros and cons. And it really depends on your specific needs and preferences, too. If you want the best flooring options for your home, Tony’s Flooring Centre can provide you with high quality choice. Give us a call and let’s talk about what’s best for your home!