Whether you are building or buying your first home, it is always helpful to become knowledgeable about the different types of wood flooring that are offered. While there are many styles to choose from, wood floors are always a good bet and a popular choice.
Why Does It Matter What Kind of Wood?
Wood flooring comes in two main types: solid and engineered. While solid wood floors tends to have longevity and offer greater long-term value to your home, there are certain places that don’t lend themselves to this type of wood (think bathrooms, kitchens, and other moisture, humidity prone areas). For that reason, homeowners favoring solid wood have to be open to having a variety of different flooring in their home since rarely do hardwood floors work well in every room.
Engineered hardwood floors are a practical favorite for pretty much every area in a home. They are especially popular for basements, since they are not as sensitive to moisture and can be applied directly over concrete, yet still provide the same look, feel and beauty as a hardwood floor.
So What Is the Difference?
Engineered wood is product that has plywood or another type of wood covered with a thin slice of hardwood on top. Solid hardwood is a thicker piece of solid wood that is consistent on all sides. It also has the ability to be sanded down many times, while engineered wood can only withstand being sanded a few times before it will reach the level of the plywood. Engineered wood is more stable since it is made up of many different layers glued together and better resists twisting and cupping that can occur with hardwood floors. Both types of woods have the ability to be pre-finished, with the main difference being that the engineered wood will usually arrive at your home already treated.
I Still Can’t Make up My Mind!
The good news is that both types of flooring come in a wide variety of different species and grades, so you have many options to select from. Both types of floors look beautiful and increase the value of your home. When you come into our showroom, we have a very experienced staff who can not only walk you through the pros and cons of both, but work with you to determine the variables that you should be considering when making your decision. One key decision maker is whether you need the floors to be installed with the finish already on them (pre-finished) or if you have the luxury of time and environmental elements (low moisture areas) that would allow a standard hardwood floor to be finished upon its installation and not be compromised after it is installed. There are certain circumstances where engineered wood can be installed and finished on-site, but most customers opt to have it installed already finished.
What’s the Deciding Factor?
As with any home decor choice, the type of flooring you ultimately select will be influenced by your personal taste and budget. True hardwood floors are more expensive than most engineered wood floors, yet don’t offer as many artistic and enhanced options. That’s where we come in. We can help you carefully weigh all of the options so that you can select a flooring that will please you for years to come.
