If you ever compared engineered hardwood flooring pros and cons, have a read on the advantages and disadvantages that you should consider for your future purchase!
What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
Easy to install, engineered wood allows a homeowner to achieve the look of a solid wood floor at a cheaper price. Engineered wood flooring is a type of flooring made of a thin hardwood top layer. The material that crafts engineered wood flooring is a veneer or wear layer.
Its construction involves the placement of veneer or layers over reinforced composite plywood core layers. Sometimes, the plywood may be replaced by wood strands glued together and then compressed together to form an oriented strand board (OSB).
However, there is another common type of wood flooring: solid wood flooring. It is composed of solid wood through and through. It is more expensive than engineered wood flooring. One of its advantages is that it is more durable than engineered flooring. Moreover, one can refine it continuously.
Engineered hardwood floors pros and cons
Engineered Hardwood Flooring Costs Less
Solid wood flooring and its associated costs are more expensive than engineered wood flooring. Due to the manufacturing process, the materials, and the labor. However, this applies to the same wood species. Engineered oak floors may, for example, be less expensive than solid oak floors. Yet, an engineered teak floor may be cheaper than solid oak flooring.
Temperature and Moisture Tolerance
Unlike solid wood flooring, engineered wood flooring is not as sensitive to changes in temperature or moisture. Unaddressed moisture issues, such as a standing pool of water in engineered flooring, may result in some warping. However, the overall swelling and shrinking in engineered hardwood flooring is far less than that seen in solid hardwood floors.
Engineered Hardwood Floors Are More Environmentally Conscious
If you are environmentally conscious, engineered wood floors may be the way to go for you. Engineered hardwood floors use less hardwood per plank. Solid hardwood floors may be a deciding factor in whether you prefer exotic or rare wood species.
Engineered hardwood floors are more eco-friendly and sustainable because of their reduced need for toxic adhesive glue and little to no sawdust. The eco-friendliness and sustainability of hardwoods vary from company to company. Therefore, when you purchase hardwood, you must look at the environmental certifications of the manufacturer.
Resurfacing Of Engineered Hardwood Flooring Is Limited
The disadvantage of the veneer layer in engineered hardwood flooring is that you can only sand and refinish it a few times. The hardwood may erode on the first sanding and refinishing attempt. Subsequently, this can reveal the core layers. What determines the hardwood’s erosion depends on the thickness of the veneer layer.
Engineered Flooring Requires High Maintenance
The surface layer of an engineered wood floor is entirely hardwood. Therefore, you will need to actively maintain your floor. This is the only way to retain its quality. This is comparable to a solid wood floor. Therefore, improper protective precautions result in fading, scratches, and dents.
Cutting Costs In Engineered Flooring Leads To Poor Quality
Some manufacturers may use cheap materials in their flooring. This is because of efforts to cut down on time and money. It does, however, result in the poor structural integrity of floors. Additionally, the wood veneer species, number of core layers, veneer thickness, and coverage you require affect the costs. Subsequently, it is critical to conduct extensive research before selecting an engineered hardwood flooring manufacturer.
What Are The Core Differences Between Solid And Engineered Hardwood?
| Solid Hardwood | Engineered Hardwood | |
| Lifespan | 30 to 100 years | 20 to 40 years |
| Cost | $8 to $15 per square foot | $3 to $14 per square foot |
| Sanding and Refinishing | Potentially more than four times | It may happen once or twice |
| Stability | Humidity or dampness may cause warping | The product has suitable warping resistance |
| Plank Thickness | A little over 3/4 inch | From 3/8 to 9/16 inches |
| Plank Width | Approximately 2 1/4 inches to 4 inches | Between 2 1/4 and 7 inches |
| Planck Length | Between 12 and 84 inches | From 12 inches to 60 inches |
| Installation Method | Tongue-and-groove, nail down | Glue, nail, or float |
Which Is Better: Solid Hardwood or Engineered Hardwood?
Undoubtedly, hardwood flooring is one of the few flooring options that increase the value of your home! It not only enhances the look and feels of any room but also lends its natural authenticity to any living space.
Engineered hardwood floors and solid wood floors require about the same level of maintenance. However, engineered wood usually lasts longer. Despite the fact that solid wood is more resistant to temperature and moisture, engineered wood usually lasts longer. Therefore, on a budget, engineered wood flooring is a good choice. Engineered hardwood is a bonus if you are environmentally conscious and want to maintain the stylish, timeless aesthetic of an elegant hardwood floor.
Maintaining Engineered and Solid Hardwood Flooring
Solid hardwood flooring is easy to clean with simple sweeping and vacuuming. It only requires occasional damp-mopping with an approved wood cleaner. Maintenance through care and cleaning engineered hardwood flooring looks the same as solid hardwood: sweeping or vacuuming, and occasional damp-mopping with a wood cleaner. When it comes to which hardwood flooring is the best for care and cleaning, it is a tie. Engineered and solid hardwood flooring are easy to care for, requiring simple sweeping and cleaning with an approved wood cleaner. It is also best that you avoid using water or steam to clean any wood floor.
Let Interior Motives serve you in Auburn and the surrounding areas
Interior Motives has spent over 31 years carefully selecting engineered and solid hardwood brands to carry to provide a diverse selection of styles and species.
We provide a personal and attentive level of care while offering the selection and competitive pricing you would expect from a big box store. Since 1989, we have been serving Auburn and the surrounding areas. Visit our website now for more information on our flooring services and products.
