When it comes to adding natural beauty and a timeless appearance to your home, both solid hardwood and engineered flooring can add value and durability, as they are all manufactured from 100% wood, which means you will have plenty of species, unique appearances, grains and styles to choose from. So, here we present a few easy to remember differences between Solid and Engineered wood flooring. Hope it can be helpful for your next home improvement project.
Construction: Solid wood flooring, as its name suggests, is made of 100% hardwood and each plank is a single solid piece. Engineered wood flooring is made up of layers. The top layer, also known as the wear layer, is made of 100% hardwood, which can be in a variety of species, this is what makes engineered flooring look just like solid flooring. The bottom layer is also wood, with a middle core that is built from 5 to 7 layers of plywood.
Width, Length, and Thickness: While the majority of solid and engineered wood flooring is available in the same width, you may not be able to get the same length and thickness. For example, due to the nature of its construction that we explained previously, engineered wood flooring can be crafted in as wide as 9″ boards and as long as 12 feet. In regards to thickness, solid wood flooring usually come in a thickness of 3/4″, and engineered wood flooring usually come in a thickness of 1/2″ and 5/8”.
Wear Layer: This applies to engineered wood flooring. The wear layer (top layer) is the part that you walk on every day. Therefore, the thicker the wear layer, the longer it will last. With a thicker wear layer, your flooring can be refinished or sanded if necessary. Since solid wood flooring is made of a single solid piece of hardwood, you will be able to refinish it and revitalize it many times so that the same floors can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Installation: Your choices of solid vs engineered hardwood flooring can also be determined by the location of where you plan to install the hardwood flooring. Because of the possibility of moisture issues, solid wood flooring remains the ideal choice for above-grade locations such as bedroom, living room, and dining room. Engineered hardwood flooring can be installed in a variety of room choices such as a basement, laundry room, and kitchen because it is designed to withstand moisture better than solid wood flooring. Engineered wood flooring can also be installed over radiant floor heating.