Are you thinking about a remodeling project for your home? If so, you’re probably thinking about one of the more popular remodeling projects, like a new floor.
It’s not surprising that so many people see their floors as a prime candidate for an upgrade. Flooring takes more abuse than almost any other part of your home, which means its overall look degrades faster. If you’re looking for a more durable flooring material, odds are good that you’ve at least considered engineered hardwood or solid hardwood flooring.
Struggling to choose between the two? Keep reading for some help in picking the right option for your home.
Engineered Hardwood Floor
Engineered hardwood is mostly made of wood, it’s just not all hardwood. What you actually get is more like a material sandwich. The topmost layer is a durable finish, like varnish. Underneath that, you get a hardwood veneer.
That veneer is a thin slice of actual hardwood. Under the veneer, you get core and supporting layers typically made of plywood.
By layering the flooring this way, you get the look and feel of a hardwood floor. You can even refinish the flooring a couple of times. It’s readily available from almost any flooring company.
Floor installation lends itself to DIY enthusiasts. While you can do a permanent install with glue, engineered hardwood floors typically get a floating installation.
Solid Hardwood Floor
Solid hardwood flooring is exactly what it sounds like. You get strips or planks of a given hardwood that is the same material all the way through. The standard, solid hardwood is generally about 3/4 of an inch thick.
Assuming no one replaces the flooring, you can refinish hardwood flooring over and over again for decades. Since you must permanently attach the flooring to the subfloor, solid hardwood floors are not a DIY project unless you actually work or worked as a flooring installer.
Engineered Hardwood Vs Solid Hardwood
Engineered hardwood and solid hardwood are both solid floor options, but each brings benefits and pitfalls.
Solid hardwood flooring offers longevity. Since the wood is solid, you don’t need to worry about sanding through the veneer layer during refinishing. Solid hardwood does tend to run more expensive than its engineered cousin.
Engineered hardwood actually performs better in areas with higher humidity. The plywood core and support layers don’t warp as easily as solid hardwood.
Engineered hardwood also does better when installed on a concrete subfloor. The pricing advantage often appeals to homeowners who plan to sell their homes down the road.
Picking for Your Home
Picking between engineered hardwood and solid hardwood flooring depends on both you and your home. If you’re remodelling with a view toward updating the look of the home on a budget, engineered hardwood likely makes more sense. You can install it over existing flooring as a DIY project.
If you want a floor that will last until your kids retire in that house, solid hardwood is the way to go.
Looking for more remodelling ideas or information? Check out the articles in our Home Improvement section.
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