MWhen considering the installation of wood flooring in your home, you will begin looking around at your different options. When wanting more of a natural wood flooring, there are two options: one is engineered and the other, solid hardwood floors. Mike’s Custom Flooring will share the advantages and disadvantages of the two wood flooring types and see which flooring will suit your home best.
Differences Between Engineered Wood Floors & Solid Hardwood Flooring
Manufacturing: Essentially there are two hardwood flooring types you can chooses from. As stated, one is engineered and two, solid wood floor. Solid wood floors are a single piece of wood that has been cut into planks. Engineered wood floors are much different. Engineered wood flooring has many layers of material with a thin solid wood sheet on top and often a plywood center.
Cost: When considering hardwood flooring for your home, one of the first considerations is cost. Each type of solid or engineered wood flooring will vary in cost. In most cases, engineered wood floors tend to cost less than solid wood flooring making them the more affordable option. However, there are some soft solid wood flooring that can be less expensive than engineered wood flooring.
Installation: When it comes to installation, there are major differences between the two types of flooring. Engineered wood flooring is one of the more simpler and faster flooring to install. When installing engineered wood flooring, there are three simple options: one is glue down, two, there is a nail down option and three, there is interlocking floors. Beside underlayment, there are no other major considerations during installation. Solid wood floor is much different. Solid wood is sensitive to heat and moisture. Often the sub flooring may require a need to be treated before installation and proper moisture barriers in-place before the solid wood floor can be installed. Solid wood floor uses glue down, nail, and inter locking as well. Some solid wood floors also come unfinished which is slightly cheaper. However, the homeowner will need to put the finish on themselves which adda to installation time and cost.
Durability: When comparing which flooring is more durable, most solid wood floors come out on top. Solid wood floor uses a much thicker piece of wood than engineered wood, which allows solid wood floors to be sanded and refinished three times or more in its life time. In most cases, solid wood floors need to be refinished about every 5 to 10 years, which prolong the life of the flooring. Engineered wood floors can only be refinished once, if even that. Often it will depend on the condition of the wooden surface. Additionally, engineered wood floors are more prone to chipping than solid wood flooring.
Moisture: When living in a humid climate or installing wood flooring in areas such as kitchen and bathrooms, the moisture becomes a major consideration for both flooring types. However, engineered wood floors have a plywood core which is less affected by moisture. However, wood doesn’t do well in moisture or humidity, especially solid wood. For areas with moisture, engineered wood floors would be preferable.
Hardwood Floor Installation, Replacement & More in Charles Town & Eastern Panhandle of Berkeley & Jefferson Counties in WV | Winchester & Frederick County | Round Hill & Loudoun County | Berryville & Clarke County | Herndon & Fairfax County VA
When considering which type of wood flooring to install it comes down to your household and of course your budget. For more questions about wood flooring or you need quality installation services, contact Mike’s Custom Flooring today.