Solid Hardwood Floors
Solid hardwood floors are made from all-natural wood with no extra materials added. Solid wood floor planks vary in length but are typically 3/4 inches wide. Flooring like this can be installed as finished or unfinished. This type of wood is also renewable in that it can be sanded down and refinished throughout its life. Solid hardwood flooring also comes in a wide variety of wood types, such as oak, hickory, and cherry.
Installing solid hardwood floors in all parts of a home is rarely recommended. You’ll want to avoid putting a solid hardwood flooring where there is a chance it can get very wet, such as the kitchen or the bathroom. Solid hardwood works best in living rooms, hallways or any place in the house where water and moisture are least likely. Also, because solid hardwood floors are sensitive to moisture, you will want to keep your installs above ground and avoid basements.
Solid hardwood floors can be nailed down or glued down during the installation process. This is a highly-skilled procedure that should be done by a professional. Although installing solid hardwood floors can be costly, it can increase the value of the home since they are durable and pleasing to the eye.
Engineered Hardwood Floors
Engineered Hardwood Floors are made from plywood blended with other materials like the stone to increase durability. The wood pieces are also covered with a top layer of veneer, which improves the wood’s resistance to heat and moisture. The resistance to heat and moisture one of the most notable advantages engineered wood has over solid wood. Because of the wood’s durability, it can be installed in all rooms of the home.
Planks of engineered wood vary in length and width. Like solid hardwood floors, engineered hardwood floors come in a variety of different woods, such as oak, hickory or maple. Engineered hardwood can be installed the same way as solid hardwood floors can-with glue or nails.
Although engineered hardwoods are durable when it comes to heat and moisture, they cannot be refinished as many times as solid hardwood floors. Engineered hardwood can be refinished about three times for the whole life of the floor. However, engineered hardwood, in general, tends to be easier to install and cheaper, so getting new engineered hardwood may not be as costly of a task as getting new solid hardwood floors would be. Most engineered hardwood is purchased already finished, which can save time at the end of the installation. Even though engineered hardwood is easier to install than solid hardwood, it’s still recommended that you have a professional carry this out rather than doing it yourself.
Solid hardwood and engineered hardwood both have their strengths and weakness. The main deciding factor will be where you plan to place the wood, and whether you want the wood in every room or only in select places. Ask your flooring consultant to see which types of wood will be right for you.
