If you are trying to decide between engineered hardwood flooring and regular hardwood flooring, you might not understand the difference. Each one will appear as if it is from solid wood, but both of these are very different materials. There are benefits and drawbacks to using each kind. There are also cost differences to consider. If you are interested in repairing or installing a hardwood floor at your home, here is the latest information on these materials.
What Is Hardwood Flooring?
As the name indicates, it is made of solid pieces of wood. These are typically cut from trees of a significant diameter. This material can be made of walnut, maple, or even oak trees. The primary benefit of using hardwood is that it can be refinished and sanded multiple times for decades. For many, it is the unique smell of the wood. There are also people that would know the difference between something that is synthesized and that which is natural. Finally, there is the prestige of knowing that you have installed an all-natural word opposed to a synthetic version.
What Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
This flooring does use hardwood, yet not in the same capacity as standard hardwood planks. A very thin layer of maple, oak, walnut, or some other hardwood is fixed to an interior layer. This layer is made from plywood, typically of high quality, yet it can only be refinished a couple of times. This has to do with the thickness of the actual wood covering the plywood. Finally, the cost of this material is very different from standard hardwood flooring. It is cheaper to make and is therefore much more popular in terms of volume. It will likely last several years, making this the most cost-effective material that you can use if you need hardwood floors.
Which One Should You Choose?
Your choice is likely dependent upon one of three considerations. First of all, there is a cost. If you need to be on a budget, then engineered hardwood would be the best choice. The second consideration is availability. In some cases, there is a backlog on certain types of solid wood for hardwood floors. If you need it now, you would be better off obtaining the engineered wood flooring. Finally, if you want to install the best type of hardwood flooring, solid wood flooring would be the best choice.
Based on these assessments of engineered solid wood flooring and traditional hardwood flooring, you can make your choice. For most people, it usually comes down to price. If you are ready to install a new hardwood floor this year, consider this information and choose the one that would be best suited for your home.
