Nothing can enhance the appeal of your home better than a good floor. It may be quite challenging to select a perfect flooring type that best fits your home décor. Well, we’re discussing the two popular flooring types here— engineered wood and solid hardwood flooring. Both types serve best; however, there are a few differences as well. In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the major differences between the two to help you make the right flooring decision for your next project. Read on;
Comparison Between Engineered Wood And Solid Hardwood Flooring
- Appearance
Appearance-wise, both types of flooring stand out and are available in a wide range of grades, timber species, colors, and designs. Planks of solid hardwood are thicker and heavier as compared to the engineered planks that are thinner and lighter because of being made of more than two bonded layers of derivative wood products. Both flooring types can look stunning for years if taken care of properly.
- Durability And Water-Resistance
When it comes to durability, engineered hardwood floors can last for 15 to 30 years and solid hardwood on the other hand can last for decades if taken care of properly. Wondering why and how? Continue reading.
Both flooring types are susceptible to water damage, which is why they are not good for humid areas. But, engineered wood floors can bear humid climates well because of their durable and water-resistant planks that are finished with an aluminum oxide finish.
- Cleaning and Maintenance
The better you care about your product, the more it will last, right? Both engineered and solid hardwood flooring require little maintenance. You can sweep or vacuum these floors regularly to keep them maintained. Avoid using wet mops, vinegar, oils, and bleach otherwise these floors may become damaged soon.
- Refinishing And Staining Hardwood
The major difference between the two types is solid hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished so many times, making it helpful for homeowners to change the look of their floors whenever they want.
Engineered wood floors on the other hand can only be sanded and refinished once or twice and not more than that. So you may have a lesser chance to change the look of your floor.
- Cost
Most of the people usually prefer installing engineered wood floors because they are cost-effective as compared to solid ones. It averages around $4 to $7 per square foot, whereas solid hardwood flooring lies within a range of $4 to $12 per square foot.
Well, it is extremely difficult to choose anyone between the two flooring types. Ultimately, we can say that engineered wood floors are a sustainable alternative to solid ones because of being cost-effective. Moreover, they offer higher dimensional strength and look exactly like hardwood flooring. Another advantage to engineered wood floors is they can resist humid areas much better than solid wood floors. These benefits justify why this flooring type is gaining popularity day by day.
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