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Engineered vs. solid hardwood flooring: which is right for you?
Hardwood is a lot more than a purchase. It lasts for years, never goes out of style, and adds value to your home. It’s also versatile enough to work with any decor, and if you want to change the color, all it takes is sanding and refinishing.
Engineered wood floors and water
Enter engineered wood. This flooring has a construction that makes it more stable and better able to handle water. At the top is genuine wood, giving it the undertones, knots, raised grains, and swirls that you’d find in any wood. Underneath are at least three layers of real wood combined with a little resin and placed in a crosswise position.
Like solid hardwood flooring, this can be refinished and adds value to your property. Plus, it can be installed in some higher-than-normal moisture places. This wood floor won’t expand or contract to adjust to the weather, so no acclimation is necessary. Currently, engineered wood is taking a major share of the wood flooring industry because it appeals to those who want both beauty and practicality.
Like solid hardwood flooring, this can be refinished and adds value to your property. Plus, it can be installed in some higher-than-normal moisture places. This wood floor won’t expand or contract to adjust to the weather, so no acclimation is necessary. Currently, engineered wood is taking a major share of the wood flooring industry because it appeals to those who want both beauty and practicality.
Installation techniques for solid vs. engineered
Solid hardwood requires a tongue and groove and then needs to be nailed or glued. Subfloors might require a little extra restoration, and solid is not recommended for installation over concrete subfloors because of potential dampness issues. Engineered also offers a floating floor technique. The pieces click together, forming a mat which then hovers over the subfloor. It’s fine to install engineered wood floors over a concrete subfloor.
Whether you select engineered or solid wood...
Thickness is important to both types. It’s what determines the number of times a floor can be sanded. The ideal thickness for solid is ¾-inch and can be sanded up to six times. Engineered has a range; ⅝-inch to ½-inch, and depending upon thickness, it can be sanded up to five times.
You also need to think about species, your style, and your durability needs because not all hardwood has the same level of strength. Domestics are harvested within the US, while exotics are from locations like Indonesia, Brazil, and Africa. Exotics are the hardest, with darker colors that are more dramatic. The most popular species are hickory (known as the hardest domestic), cherry, maple, oak, and walnut.
Let our experts guide you to the right wood. Visit us for more information about hardwood flooring and to get a free quote if you’re a homeowner in Lexington, NC, Welcome, NC, Thomasville, NC, Advance, NC, or East Spencer, NC. The Creative Carpet Discount Sales showroom is in Lexington, NC and we guarantee our installations.
You also need to think about species, your style, and your durability needs because not all hardwood has the same level of strength. Domestics are harvested within the US, while exotics are from locations like Indonesia, Brazil, and Africa. Exotics are the hardest, with darker colors that are more dramatic. The most popular species are hickory (known as the hardest domestic), cherry, maple, oak, and walnut.
Let our experts guide you to the right wood. Visit us for more information about hardwood flooring and to get a free quote if you’re a homeowner in Lexington, NC, Welcome, NC, Thomasville, NC, Advance, NC, or East Spencer, NC. The Creative Carpet Discount Sales showroom is in Lexington, NC and we guarantee our installations.
