How Engineered Wood Compares
Whether you’re searching for the look of beautiful floors or a budget-friendly alternative to hardwood, engineered wood flooring certainly isn’t the only option. Here, we’ll break down how engineered wood compares to its two biggest competitors: solid hardwood and laminate wood flooring. At Gateway Design & Home, we’ll help you weigh all your flooring options to ensure you find the perfect solution. Explore what else we have to offer, and contact us today for our support throughout your flooring project!
Engineered Wood vs. Solid Hardwood Flooring
As we discussed earlier, engineered wood flooring is made with a veneer layer of real wood and a core of criss-crossed planks of other wood materials. Solid hardwood, on the other hand, is made of one plank of one type of wood. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses.
Beauty
Most people seek out wood flooring because of the classic beauty it can add to their home or business. It’s hard to beat the appeal of such a warm, versatile natural material. That said, you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between solid hardwood planks and engineered wood flooring just by looking at it, since engineered wood is veneered with real wood. The one advantage of solid hardwood when it comes to looks is variety — you are likely to find a wider range of wood species, colors, and stain options for solid hardwood than engineered wood flooring.
Cost
In some situations, the material cost of engineered wood and solid hardwood may be comparable. However, engineered wood tends to cost less upfront and the option of a low-maintenance installation often lowers the overall cost. If you are worried about sticking to a budget, then engineered wood flooring is the better candidate.
Durability
While there are some species of wood that fall very high on the Janka Hardness Scale, it is still more vulnerable to scratches, dents, and water damage than materials like stone or ceramic tile. Engineered wood and hardwood floors are equally vulnerable to scratches, as the material facing the wear and tear of everyday traffic is natural wood in both cases. However, the cross-laid core of engineered wood flooring gives it a stronger resistance to moisture damage as well as as a resistance to warping, expansion, or contraction when exposed to humidity.
Installation
There aren’t many materials that come with as many installation requirements as solid hardwood. Tile is likely the only fussier flooring type. Solid hardwood requires a subfloor and exacting methods for attaching it to said subfloor, which means its installation is one of the most DIY-unfriendly options. It also has strict requirements regarding what materials it is installed over — its vulnerability to moisture means slab concrete floors are a no-no.
Engineered wood flooring, on the other hand, has much more flexibility when it comes to installation. It can be attached to a subfloor and glued or nailed down like solid hardwood, or the planks can be assembled together and installed as a floating floor over a wide range of materials. If you’re looking to save money on installation labor costs, you want to install your new floors yourself, or all of the above, then engineered wood is the way to go.
Maintenance
Both types of wood floors are relatively easy to clean on a regular basis. Sweeping or careful vacuuming can easily get rid of dust and other debris. You can even — carefully — use a damp mop for spills. In both cases, you should address liquid spills as quickly as you can to avoid moisture damage or staining, although engineered wood flooring should stand up better to any moisture that attempts to leak between boards and wreak havoc below.
When it comes to long-term maintenance, solid hardwood has a clear advantage. Even if your wood flooring sustains scratches, dents, or stain damage, there is still the saving grace of sanding and refinishing. The thick planks of solid hardwood can be sanded down and refinished to create a new layer of fresh floor for you to enjoy, which is a large reason why wood floors look so beautiful for so many years. Engineered wood floors, more often than not, can’t be treated the same way, and so any damage will have to be addressed in completely new floors down the road.