You may have heard the word “engineered hardwood” mentioned before, and you may have been curious about the difference between it and regular hardwood. To help you better understand, we will dive deeper into the differences between these two types of wood flooring. Let’s take a look!
Solid Hardwood vs. Engineered Hardwood: What is the Big Difference?
- Solid Hardwood.
When you think of traditional hardwood floors, you are most likely imagining solid hardwood. This type of hardwood is the standard. It is composed of 100% wood. Solid hardwood is admired for its authentic look, beauty, and often durability. With solid hardwood, you can find your perfect style from a large selection of colors and widths. Solid hardwood works well on the first and second floors of homes and inside of living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and even kitchens. When installing solid hardwood, installers will use nails to set the flooring in space. Plus, it is also admired for its endurance; it can truly last you a lifetime if it is well-kept and maintained properly. With sanding and protective finishes, you can renew your hardwood floors to keep them looking pristine. Lastly, the natural look, feel, and sound of solid hardwood can be a big selling point for homeowners. This is the most authentic form, and it is truly worth the price tag.
- Engineered Hardwood.
Engineered hardwood is composed of several layers. In your first layer, you have 100% natural wood. This is the color and style that you will choose for the design aspect. The second/middle layer is made of five to seven layers of plywood, all running in different directions. The last layer is wood. The purpose of this innovation is to create a hardwood surface that can withstand moisture, humidity, and temperature. These factors help to make it the perfect option for rooms that attract moisture (bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, basements). Like solid hardwood, engineered hardwood also comes in an array of styles, colors, and widths to meet your preferences. When installing engineered hardwood, installers have the options of staples, glue, or float. Engineered wood can be sanded which is yet another similarity between solid and engineered hardwood. The construction of engineered wood makes it a primary choice for homeowners wanting the look of wood in moisture-attracting areas of their home.
Are you interested in viewing our selection of solid hardwood or engineered hardwood? We would love for you to browse our online ICC Floors showroom.
Please do not hesitate to call or visit us with any questions.
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