Nearly everyone loves the elegant look of hardwood flooring. Unfortunately, having hardwood floors installed isn’t a financially viable option for nearly everyone.
Installing traditional ¾” solid hardwood planks is always a worthwhile investment for homeowners. If you can’t afford the expense of installing hardwood in your home, don’t give up on your dreams of having hardwood floors just yet.
How is Engineered Hardwood Flooring Different from Solid Wood Flooring?
Before you commit to purchasing new wood flooring, it is important to understand the differences between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood flooring.
Wealthy Europeans began using hardwood flooring in their homes several centuries ago, and America’s colonial settlers took advantage of the New World’s vast supply of lumber by building entire homes out of wood. Hardwood flooring will last for generations if it’s properly cared for, but it does require regular maintenance and the occasional sand and refinish to retain its natural beauty.
The main difference between solid hardwood vs engineered hardwood lies in how the products are constructed. A solid hardwood plank is one piece of lumber cut down to ¾” thickness, with a tongue on one side of the plank, and a groove on the other side. The tongue-and-groove construction allows each plank to interlock with another while simultaneously being nailed down to the subfloor.
Engineered hardwood, on the other hand, is made from pressing layers of wood together with an adhesive under high-heat conditions before finishing off the top layer with a real wood veneer. An advantage of engineered hardwood is that it outperforms solid hardwood in moisture-prone areas as well as areas where heat may be a concern. Also, engineered hardwood does a better job of resisting scratches, dents, and UV fading than solid hardwood flooring does.
In a side-by-side comparison, the only area where solid hardwood outperforms engineered hardwood is longevity. You can sand and refinish a solid hardwood plank multiple times throughout its lifespan, whereas sanding and refinishing an engineered product may cause permanent damage to your floor.
One of the biggest reasons that people love engineered hardwood flooring is because it mimics the appearance of its solid-wood counterpart, yet costs significantly less than traditional ¾” wood planks. If you want the timeless appeal of having hardwood floors in your home but you need a cost-effective solution, engineered hardwood may be the way to go.
Are You Looking to Have Engineered Hardwood Flooring Installed in Your Home?
If you’re in the market for engineered hardwood, solid hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl plank, or new carpeting for your home, schedule a free in-home estimate from The Carpet Guys. We offer convenient appointment times seven days a week so you can have one of our flooring professionals come to your home whenever it’s most convenient for you. To schedule your free in-home hardwood estimate, fill out the contact form on our website, or give us a call at (248) 409-5359.
