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WHICH IS BETTER, SOLID WOOD OR ENGINEERED WOOD?

Talking about wood flooring nothing can compare to the elegance, warmth, and value that it adds to your home. For ages, wood flooring has been a part of our lives and style. But wood flooring can be an expensive affair and sometimes confusing due to the wide variety of options it has to offer.

So, if you’re in this dilemma, we truly hope that this article will help you. In this long post, we’ll walk you through all the different scenarios where engineered wood flooring is best and where you can safely choose solid wood flooring. But before the showdown let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both solid hardwood and engineered wood to widen your horizon of knowledge that may be helpful to single-out your decision.

ENGINEERED WOOD

Engineered wood is made up of a thin veneer top layer of solid wood; with a base made up of plywood. It provides the same classic, timeless look and is as durable as traditional hardwood.

PROS OF ENGINEERED HARDWOOD

With only the top veneer made of real hardwood, it comes at a very affordable price.
It can be directly installed over concrete which in turn eliminates the need for a plywood subfloor.
Engineered hardwood is easy to install with a tongue and groove system – the material can be loose laid, nailed down or glued.
Some engineered hardwood can be installed over radiant heat. Due to perpendicular layers, there is less expansion/contraction so it allows a tighter fit.
Keeping up to today’s trend, the product is eco-friendly. So it will be easily accepted and highly appreciated by your recycle-loving friends.

CONS OF ENGINEERED HARDWOOD

Engineered wood only has a thin wood veneer on top which makes it difficult for homeowners to refinish it.
Some engineered floors look and sound more fake, especially if they are floating. If a floating floor isn’t even or smooth, the floor will move as you walk on it. It will sound and look more artificial.

SOLID HARDWOOD

As the name implies solid hardwood is just that: made up of solid wood throughout. Hardwood flooring is made out of thick solid wood planks sealed on top. The product is hand-scraped and durable, making it built to last. With solid hardwood, though its elegance is preserved through the years, it can cost a fortune depending on the colour and style you prefer.

PROS OF SOLID HARDWOOD

Solid hardwood can be sanded down and refinished several times. If it has scratches or you simply want to change the colour, you can.
Solid hardwood is elegant and beautiful making it perfect for showing it off to your family and friends!
Water stains are hard on the floor and can leave an impression, but with solid hardwood, it is very easy to repair such damages. So if you have kids or pets at home there’s absolutely nothing to fear.
Installation of hardwood is a easy task similar to that of an engineered wood.

CONS OF SOLID HARDWOOD

A product made of 100% wood makes it more expensive than engineered wood. But if you are looking for style and elegance without caring about the price tag then this is it for you!
Some like it hot! But for Solid hardwood, it’s not so. The potential for expansion and contraction increases with humidity.

THE ULTIMATE FACE-OFF!

SOLID HARDWOOD vs. ENGINEERED WOOD

APPEARANCE:

SOLID HARDWOOD– Due to its uniqueness it is the biggest trend in flooring right now. Available in a range of colour and species it is found in both finished and pre-finished type.

ENGINEERED WOOD– It is beautiful with a natural look. No two pieces are same.it is always sold pre-finished and comes in a variety of colours and species. It is great for wide plank floors.

WINNER: IT’S A TIE!

COST:

SOLID HARDWOOD– Prefinished solid hardwood averages about Rs. 650 to 5000 per square feet

ENGINEERED WOOD– Engineered wood is slightly inexpensive than solid wood with a range of Rs. 200 to 900 per square feet

WINNER: ENGINEERED WOOD

DURABILITY:

SOLID HARDWOOD– It is highly durable as it can be easily sanded and refinished for new look over and over.

ENGINEERED WOOD– It can be refinished once, or at most twice before the surface hardwood layer is exhausted.

WINNER: SOLID HARDWOOD

CARE AND MAINTENANCE:

SOLID HARDWOOD– It requires frequent upkeep to maintain its charm. It has to be sanded and refinished more often.

It is easy to clean with simple sweeping and vacuuming, and occasional damp-mopping.

ENGINEERED WOOD– It does not come with so much hassle, so it makes your life a bit easier. With its versatile character and texture, it does not require frequent refinishing.

Cleaning of this flooring looks the same as for solid hardwood: sweeping or vacuuming, and occasional damp-mopping.

WINNER: ENGINEERED WOOD

MOISTURE RESISTANT:

SOLID HARDWOOD– Installing it against concrete slabs can be a bad idea as the moisture migrating through it can cause the wood to swell and warp.

ENGINEERED WOOD- It has a better performance in the humid region since its plywood construction makes it stable and less susceptible to warping.

WINNER: ENGINEERED WOOD

INSTALLATION:

SOLID HARDWOOD– They are pre-finished and can be installed in a day’s time. An expert is required to install them.

ENGINEERED WOOD– They are pre-finished like hard wood and can be installed in a fraction of time. They are easy for DIY.

Various installation types are nailing, stapling, gluing and floating.

WINNER: IT’S A TIE!

LIFESPAN:

SOLID HARDWOOD– With solid hardwood, you can go on with the same flooring for a decade. With at least 30 years of lifespan, you can easily refinish it, sand it down and cherish it throughout your life.

ENGINEERED WOOD– It has a short lifespan of around 20 to 30 years.

WINNER: SOLID HARDWOOD

SIZES:

SOLID HARDWOOD– Standard hardwood flooring planks are 3/4 inch thick, 2 1/4 inches wide, and sold in various lengths from 12 to 84 inches. Other thicknesses and widths are also available, though solid hardwood flooring is rarely more than about 4 inches wide.

ENGINEERED WOOD– Engineered hardwood boards are often thinner, with 3/8- to 9/16-inch-thick boards common. It is sold in much wider boards, up to 7 inches, and the lengths typically run 12 to 60 inches.

WINNER: AGAIN IT’S A TIE!

RESALE VALUE:

SOLID HARDWOOD– Due to its longevity potential home buyers may place a premium on solid hardwoods.

ENGINEERED WOOD– They might not be a total turn-off to buyers but its shorter timespan might not bag a great deal.

WINNER: SOLID HARDWOOD

THE VERDICT

As you can see both the wood flooring type has its own tip and toe but there is always an option to fit your needs. You must explore all the aspects and then come to a consensus about it.

Solid hardwood may hold a slight edge in prestige but the lower cost and ease of installation of engineered wood may have the edge for others.

Engineered hardwood which was once considered a cheap imitation of solid hardwood has gone through a monumental transmission over the time which has helped eliminate this perception of the product.

Either way, both products offer a luxurious and classic finish to your space. And whichever wood flooring you choose, you can count on wood and find the eventual tranquillity.

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Gaurav Dutt

Backed by an award winning, three decades old Construction and Interiors company, Gouri Ekmeet Designs leverages technology to build homes of the future. All our homes define the personality of the home-owners and they are built with a personal touch.