A Comparison Between Engineered Wood and Solid Wood Flooring

Solid wood flooring is constructed from hardwood species such as oak or maple and may be sanded and refinished several times throughout its life. Engineered flooring seems quite similar to solid hardwood flooring, but it is constructed using a skinny layer of hardwood attached to a high-quality plywood base. Your decision is contingent upon your assessment of each's respective qualities.

7 Important Details about Engineered and Hardwood Flooring

1. Sizes 

Engineered hardwood boards are often narrower, ranging in thickness from 3/8 to 9/16 inches. Engineered hardwood is usually supplied in much broader panels, up to 7 inches wide and lengths ranging from 12 to 60 inches.

Standard hardwood flooring boards are 3/4 inch thick by 2 1/4 inch broad and are available in various lengths ranging from 12 to 84 inches. There are more thicknesses and widths available. However, solid hardwood flooring is seldom wider than around 4 inches.

Sizes Category: It’s a Tie 

For this category, it would depend on the owner’s preference. Unless you want narrower boards—solid hardwood is a better option—or broader panels—in which case engineered hardwood flooring is a better choice.

2. Care and Cleaning 

Engineered hardwood requires the same maintenance and cleaning as solid hardwood, including sweeping or vacuuming and periodic damp-mopping with a wood cleaner.

Solid hardwood is straightforward to maintain with sweeping and vacuuming and periodic damp-mopping with an authorized wood cleaner.

Care and Cleaning Category: It’s a Tie 

Both kinds of flooring are pretty simple to maintain, needing just sweeping and washing with a wood cleaner certified by the manufacturer. When cleaning a wood floor, avoid using water or steam.

3. Appearance

Engineered hardwood flooring is usually offered prefinished, and the color and species options are limited. Solid wood has extremely tight seams between boards and is broader with slightly beveled edges.

Solid hardwood flooring comes in a wider variety of hues and species than engineered hardwood. Solid hardwood is available in a range of finishes and sizes.

Appearance Category: It’s a Tie 

It all comes down to personal preference when it comes to hardwood flooring.

4. Durability and Maintenance 

It is possible to refinish engineered hardwood just one or two times before the hardwood layer on the surface is depleted.

In this case, solid hardwood is a little better since it can be sanded and polished several times.

Durability and Maintenance Category: Solid Hardwood 

Although pre-finished hardwood has a factory-applied finish that is very durable and resistant to scratches and scuffs, it's possible to sand and refinish solid hardwood many times over its lifetime.

5. Water and Heat Resistance 

Both hardwoods are heat resistant, and neither material is suitable for installation in moist areas. But Engineered hardwood performs somewhat better in humid environments due to its plywood structure. If concrete flooring is required, engineered hardwood is the best option.

You should not install solid hardwood against concrete slabs because the moisture from the concrete might cause it to swell and deform.

Water and Heat Resistance Category: Engineered Hardwood 

In this case, engineered hardwood flooring wins because of its plywood base's resistance to moisture warping.

6. Installation 

It is possible to install engineered wood flooring as a "click-lock" using forms with "floating floor." edges. Engineered wood flooring may also be attached to the concrete. 

The tongue-and-groove method is used for solid hardwood flooring, where each board is blind-nailed to the subfloor via tongues at the borders.

Best for Installation Category: Engineered Hardwood 

Engineered hardwood's click-lock or glue-down forms are more straightforward to work with than nail-down techniques for solid hardwood.

7. Cost 

There is a modest difference in cost between engineered and solid hardwood flooring. There are many engineered hardwood flooring varieties, with prices ranging from $4 to $7 per square foot on average.

Between $4 to $12 per square foot, solid hardwood pre-finishing costs roughly $8 per square foot.

Cost Category: Engineered Hardwood 

Engineered hardwood flooring takes the lead here, although the difference isn't massive. According to local labor prices and room layout, installation labor might cost anywhere from $3 to $10 per square foot for both kinds of flooring.

Conclusion

Engineered wood flooring may not have the grandeur of solid hardwood, but it is less expensive and simpler to install. Engineered wood's lower usage of hardwood attracts eco-conscious buyers and those who are just looking for a better product.

Should you need to upgrade your hardwood floors in Southern California, contact Reno Concepts OC. We can help you personalize and improve your home with new flooring that fits your lifestyle. We are your one-stop shop for creative solutions made by professional designers.