To ensure that the investment in new hardwood floors will last a lifetime, it is very important to know the differences in solid and engineered hardwood flooring. Many factors must be taken into consideration to select the most suitable option for each unique situation. Homeowners can feel good about picking their hardwood flooring if they learn a few basics first.
Solid Hardwood Flooring
Solid hardwood flooring is milled from a single piece of lumber, and comes in both unfinished and prefinished. Unfinished hardwood flooring is sanded, polished, and coated onsite after installation. This process enables custom stain colors to complement a home's décor, or simply to create a distinctive appearance. The disadvantage in unfinished flooring is that there is usually a considerable mess from sanding the flooring along with fumes from the stain and urethane coatings. High quality contractors do typically have equipment that minimizes the dust from sanding process. They may also provide low VOC stains and water-based urethane coatings to lessen the fumes related to oil-based products. This finishing process can be achieved multiple times in the future to regain the beauty of the floor as it wears over time. Solid hardwood flooring is best installed over a wood subflooring material since it is generally nailed or stapled to the subsurface. Always install solid wood flooring above grade because it is very vulnerable to moisture and may warp in damp areas.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Engineered hardwood flooring is a combination of multiple layers of wood veneers and a synthetic product that are laminated together to make each plank of flooring. This synthetic material acts as the bottom layer and is usually impervious to moisture. This resistance to moisture from below makes this a great option for concrete subfloors and rooms which are below grade. All engineered flooring are available in prefinished from the factory. The merit to prefinished engineered wood flooring is the fact that the factory is often able to coat the finish up to 7 times or more. This makes an extremely durable surface that will withstand a great deal of traffic. Still, the top layers of engineered flooring are made from natural wood and can be scratched or damaged by water. Engineered hardwood flooring is usually much thinner than solid hardwood flooring and it is frequently glued to the subsurface though it can also be nailed or stapled. The thin nature of engineered flooring reduces or eliminates the option of refinishing the floors if they wear over time.
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