Solid Hardwood Floors vs. Engineered Wood: How Do You Choose?
Those who are looking to buy or build a home are often surprise by all the various options there are for each kind of material they can choose throughout the house. Flooring options are often one of the biggest choices to make when one decides on the look and feel they are going for through out the home. These floors need to be durable to withstand the years of wear in order to minimise the need for replacement and they need to give the home an appearance that appeals to the style of the home.
If clients are unaware of all the flooring that is available they can become overwhelmed when the contractor sits down to provide them with the different options. Many don't realise there is even a difference between the two floor options. Questions are asked such as, "What is the difference between the two? Are they not all made from wood?" To answer this question it can be summed up to: there are a several differences between the two, but yes they are both make of wood and either can be a great option for someone's home. It all comes down to personal preference and the kinds of use that homeowners are going to get out of them.
Here we have explained many of the main differences between solid hardwood floors and engineered wood planks so one can have a better understanding of the kind of wood flooring they would like to add throughout their home.
Solid hardwood flooring
Solid hardwood flooring is exactly what it sounds like. This kind of flooring is made from one piece of wood which is processed by a mill and then covered with a thin covering, usually consisting of aluminium oxide, acrylic, or ceramic.
This flooring is usually around three quarters of an inch. The thickness gives it it's durability and the ability to be sanded and refinished for many years to come.
The humidity of the air within a room can cause the wood to expand and contract, because the flooring is made up of a solid piece of wood. To combat this change the house should stay at a relative humidity of 45% to 65% throughout the whole year.
The array of wood species that the solid hardwood flooring can come in is abundant. Some of these options are from maple, oak, pecan, black walnut, and mesquite. One can even purchase speciality pieces of wood from far away places such and Africa and Brazil.
The solid wood floors are installed is by a process of permanently nailing the pieces to the sub floor. The contractor will leave a little room between the walls and the flooring to accommodate the swelling that can happen during the variance of humidity. Solid hardwood floors should only be added to rooms that are considered above grade and only installed over sub floors such as plywood or oriented strand board.
Engineered hardwood planks
Engineered hardwood planks are made of materials that feature several layers of wood. This flooring is typically made up of about three layers and then securely bonded together by the process of extreme heat and pressure. This type of flooring is still real wood, but is just made in a different way.
The top layer of the wood, known as the part that gets walked on is made up of a veneer and then layered underneath with less expensive pieces of plywood. In some cases the engineered hardwood planks are manufactured with substrates made from recycles wood fibers and then mixed with stone dust. This material can increase the durability and stability the wood has over several years.
The humidity does not affect this type of flooring, because of the way in which it is made. Many homeowners prefer this kind of flooring over solid hardwood flooring due to it's ability to stand up to moister within bathrooms, kitchens and basements. Engineered hardwood planks are a preferred choice over in-floor heating systems as well.
The way engineered wood planks are installed is by a method similar to laminate flooring. This is due to the tongue and groove fittings they are are created with. With this installation method the flooring can be installed without the use of nails or glue, but rather as a floating floor format.
Engineered hardwood planks can be added to just about every room throughout the house and installed over plywood, oriented strand board, and even over concrete sub floors.
Which wood flooring should one choose?
The choice of wood floor one will want in their home should be made from a room to room a basis. The reason for this is because of the moister, temperature, and use that the room will have. Although aesthetic is the number one for many who are picking out their home finishes, different wood flooring can react to different environments. This should always be considered before going ahead and pairing the flooring to the curtains.
If one is planning to add wood flooring to a room that is on the lower level and the moisture can fluctuate then one might want to stick to the engineered hardwood planks.
In another case, if someone is installing flooring in an above-grade level and the traditional wood flooring look and feel is a must the solid hardwood flooring can accommodate a room well.
Whichever wood flooring one chooses for their home, either will make for a beautiful space. With the proper installation and maintenance of the wood, the flooring can be a complimentary addition to any area of the home.
For more information and help with selecting the perfect flooring for your home, be sure to give Tanguay Homes a call at (802) 334-1384.We are happy to help!
For more information: https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/choose-your-flooring-solid-wood-vs-engineered-wood/
