Hardwood has long been a highly desired flooring material for homeowners in Marysville, WA and beyond. In the search for new wood floors, buyers often come across two popular options: engineered hardwood flooring and natural or solid hardwood flooring. While they both offer the timeless beauty of natural wood, there are significant differences between solid vs engineered hardwood flooring that could make one or the other a better fit.
Today, we'll answer the popular question: solid hardwood vs engineered hardwood which is better? - comparing and constrasting their different characteristics. When you're ready, stop by our Marysville, WA hardwood flooring store to see these beautiful options for yourself.
Engineered vs solid hardwood flooring
Flooring composition and layers
Solid wood flooring is exactly what its name suggests a solid piece of wood from top to bottom. It is typically made from a single hardwood species, milled to varying thicknesses and widths. On the other hand, engineered wood flooring is constructed by layering multiple wood veneers, with the top layer being a thin slice of real hardwood.
The lower layers are composed of high-quality plywood or fiberboard arranged in a cross-grain pattern for enhanced stability. This construction method makes engineered wood less prone to expansion and contraction due to changes in humidity.
Stability and water-resistance
Solid wood flooring can be sensitive to moisture and temperature fluctuations, which may cause it to expand or contract. With its layered construction, engineered wood offers increased stability and is less susceptible to these issues.
The cross-grain construction helps to minimize the natural movement of wood, making it a suitable choice for areas prone to humidity or moisture, such as basements or kitchens. Engineered wood also performs well over radiant heating systems, as heat is less likely to affect it.
Installation options and flexibility
Solid wood flooring is typically installed using nail-down, requiring a wood subfloor. It can be more in-depth to install than engineered wood, but it is generally a longer-lasting product. Engineered wood, on the other hand, offers greater installation flexibility. It can be installed using various methods, including nail-down, glue-down, or floating installation, which involves clicking the planks together without adhesives or fasteners.
How to tell if a floor is engineered hardwood or solid hardwood
When shopping for your hardwood floors, it can be difficult to know which is which based on visuals alone. Identifying whether a floor is engineered hardwood or solid hardwood can be done through several simple methods:
Inspect the Sides:
- Solid hardwood: If you have access to a loose plank or can find an exposed edge, examine the sides. Solid hardwood will show a single, continuous piece of wood with consistent grain throughout.
- Engineered hardwood: Engineered planks will have a layered appearance, with a thin veneer of real wood on top and multiple layers of plywood or other core materials underneath.
- Solid hardwood: Solid hardwood typically has a more varied and natural grain pattern, with unique characteristics and variations in each plank.
- Engineered hardwood: Engineered hardwood often has a more uniform and repetitive grain pattern due to the use of a thin veneer layer.
- Solid hardwood: Solid hardwood planks are usually thicker, typically ranging from 3/4-inch to 5/16-inch.
- Engineered hardwood: Engineered hardwood planks are thinner, usually ranging from 1/4-inch to 9/16-inch.
- Solid hardwood: Solid hardwood is commonly nailed or stapled directly to the subfloor.
- Engineered hardwood: Engineered hardwood is often installed as a floating floor, meaning it isn't attached to the subfloor.
Your Marysville, WA hardwood floor store
Choosing between solid and engineered wood flooring ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Consider the unique characteristics of each option and select the one that best suits your lifestyle and desired aesthetic.
Need help? The experts at Jays Flooring LLC are here for you. We have been delivering reliable sales and installation services to commercial and residential clients in the Marysville, WA, region for over 13 years. If you live in Marysville, Lake Stevens, North Marysville, Getchell, Everett, WA, or a neighboring community, stop by today.
