There are so many options these days when it comes to hardwood flooring. Understanding the differences and similarities between thetypes of hardwood flooring will help you find the perfect flooring for your home.
Solid wood flooring
Solid wood flooring is made from solid wood and is one of the most sought-after flooring options. Solid wood is made from hardwood species such as maple, oak, and walnut. It has a longer life span that allows sanding or refinishing many times.
Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood flooring is almost identical to hardwood, but it has a plywood core and a thin layer of hardwood flooring. Although it is more affordable, engineered wood flooring can’t be refinished to increase life expectancy .Flooring Domain has a list of suppliers you can choose from.
Comparison: Engineered Wood Flooring vs. Solid Wood
Appearance and comfort
The width of hardwood flooring planks varies from 8 to 12 inches. Solid flooring has tighter seams than solid flooring once it is installed. For more customization, it is available in many colors and types. Visit Flooring Domain to find a reliable supplier.
Engineered wood flooring looks almost identical to hardwood, but offers greater flexibility in terms of width. Engineered wood flooring can easily be mistaken for solid hardwood due to the veneer layer. Prefinished engineered wood flooring is almost always available, and there are fewer options for color and styles than hardwood.
Water and Heat Resistance
Concrete slabs are not recommended for solid hardwood installation. Because humidity can migrate through concrete, solid hardwood can swell and warp.
Engineered hardwood is slightly more resilient to humidity because of its plywood construction. Engineered hardwood is the best choice if you need to install it against a concrete subfloor.
Installation Location
Solid hardwood flooring is best used in above-ground living, dining, and kitchen areas. Install solid hardwood flooring in bathrooms or laundry areas where humidity and water can cause problems.
Engineered hardwood flooring is as versatile as solid hardwood. However, we can use it in the same rooms over radiant heating or concrete floors. Avoid bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Durability
The product’s species and protective finish will determine how durable solid hardwood is. For more excellent scratch resistance, choose Oak and Hickory woods.Engineered hardwood can be sanded several times and refinished if the top layer of hardwood is thick enough. However, it’s not as common as solid hardwood. Learn more about it by visiting Flooring Domain website.
Cost
Hardwood is the most expensive type of flooring available. Prefinished hardwood flooring may cost as high as $8 per square foot. You can expect hardwood flooring to cost between $8 and $15 per sq foot.
Engineered wood flooring, on the other hand, is a cheaper option. The cost of engineered wood flooring is between $2.50 and $10 per square foot. However, we can purchase most styles for $4-$7 per square foot.
Sizes
Standard hardwood flooring planks measure 3/4 inches thick and 2 1/4 inches wide. They are available in a variety of lengths, from 12 to 84inches. We can order solid hardwood flooring in other widths and thicknesses, but they are rarely wider than 4 inches.
Engineered hardwood boards can be thinner than regular boards, often measuring 3/8- to 9/16 inches thick. Engineered hardwood boards are often sold in larger panels up to 7 inches. The lengths usually run from 12 to 60 inches.
Conclusion:
There are more similarities between the two flooring options than differences. Engineered hardwood flooring is better than solid hardwood in high-moisture areas, and it makes it an excellent choice for basements, kitchen, and bathrooms.
