So you want new hardwood floors in your home. Great choice! Wood floors instantly add warm, rustic charm and natural beauty to any space. But with so many options on the market, do you know which to select for your space? Are you considering hardwood floors but you’re unsure about your options? Let us help you make a decision! Here’s the real difference between engineered hardwood vs. solid hardwood?
Solid Hardwood:
Construction: Just like the name suggests, solid hardwood planks are created from a single, thick piece of solid wood.
Stability: Solid wood flooring is inherently durable but must be permanently nailed or glued to the sub-floor. Because of expansion and contraction issues, solid hardwood floors are more prone to shrinking or expanding based on humidity levels. However, the good thing about solid and engineered hardwood floors is that both forms will provide durability and toughness in active homes.
Installing Hardwood: Know where your new floors are going inside the home. Solid hardwood will expand and contract with changes in temperature and moisture, so they are only recommended at or above ground level. Also, consider the installation method for solid hardwood. Solid hardwood flooring can be glued, nailed or stapled to a wood sub-floor but must have the right amount of space for hardwood’s natural expansion and contraction. If the individual boards are too tight, the floor will buckle, and if they are too loose, then the gaps between the boards will get too wide during colder temperatures.
Engineered Hardwood:
Construction: Engineered hardwood is also made of genuine wood but has a core of hardwood or plywood with a layer of hardwood veneer applied to the top surface. Construction creates stronger bonds between wood layers. Engineered hardwood has superior stability due to its manufacturing.
Stability: Engineered floors can have greater dimensional stability in extreme temperatures, which provides slightly more resistance to gapping. How much durability your engineered wood will provide goes back to the core construction that you choose. However, the good thing about solid hardwood vs. engineered hardwood floors is that both forms will provide durability and toughness in active homes.
Installing Engineered: Engineered wood has enhanced installation options due to its unique construction that makes it less likely to buckle, gap or react to heat or temperature change. Floating, glue, staple, nail, you name it, the choice of installation is yours. You can install most engineered wood below grade, and over radiant heat. This makes engineered wood a great fit for installing above, on or below ground level in your home.
Do you need help with your next remodel? We can help! We are The Builder’s Choice for all your projects! Stop in today at 2411 7th ST NW, Rochester, MN 55901 or give us a call at 507-285-1109
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