Everything you need to know about the Differences between Solid and Engineered Hardwood
Whether you are installing a new floor in a new room or you want to upgrade the floors throughout your home, hardwood floors are an excellent option. Not only do they add warmth and style to the room, but they are also very durable. While some might think that wood is wood, it's good to understand the differences and benefits of each option. If you are trying to choose between solid and engineered hardwood, here's what you need to know.
What is solid hardwood?
Made from a solid piece of wood, solid hardwood consists solely of a single type of wood and there's no backing. Depending on the thickness of the wood, it can be sanded down and refinished several times.
What is engineered hardwood?
Unlike solid wood, engineered hardwood is made of several layers of wood that have been bonded together using special adhesives, intense heat, and pressure. This type of wood includes a piece of veneer on top with a backing which is usually made from high-density fibreboard, plywood, or even cross-oriented birch. While the top layer of veneer gives this wood the desired look, the backing helps keep it strong and stable.
About solid hardwood
The main benefit of solid hardwood is the fact that it can be sanded and refinished several times. So, instead of having to replace your flooring when it becomes too damaged, you can refinish them instead. Solid hardwood planks are usually shorter than those of engineered wood. Solid hardwood is also more sensitive to humidity, which means that gaps and squeaky floors can easily occur.
About engineered wood
The top benefit of engineered wood is that it is more stable, versatile, and it is also more resistant to moisture. You can also order according to the width you need which makes for easier installation. There is less actual wood in engineered wood, which makes it a sustainable product and the backing is more affordable and eco-friendly.
About pre-finished flooring
Both solid and engineered wood come unfinished and pre-finished. The main advantage of pre-finished wood is the fact that it does not require any more work once installed. The aluminum or titanium oxide cured coat is applied to the surface, which means that you don't have to do a thing once your floor is in place. Pre-finished floors are not easy to refinish. It's messy, labour-intensive, and the flooring is no longer as durable as it originally was.
Installation
For the most part, hardwood floors need to be stapled or nailed on plywood. Hardwood will naturally expand and contract depending on the humidity. This can cause the wood to creak and squeak as the nails or staples move against the bowed wood. It is best to leave the installation of hardwood flooring to the professionals.
Engineered wood flooring can be installed using several techniques. For the most part, they are tongue-and-groove, but they can also be floated and clicked together. Floating installation begins with a sub-floor. The sub-floor is usually made up of concrete, felt or foam. The wood is glued together, but it is not glued or secured to the sub-floor. This allows space for the wood to expand and contract. The click together method is the easiest installation technique.
Prices
While some might think that hardwood is more expensive than engineered wood, this is not always true. Depending on the product you choose, some engineered options are more on the expensive side.
Maintenance
Wood is not immune to dents and scratches, which means that your floor could require a lot of maintenance. If that does not sound appealing, you could opt for wire-brushed oak. Wire-brushed oak is becoming increasingly popular because it has colour and grain variations as well as a lack of a sheen finish. Although you cannot prevent damage, this type of flooring will help conceal it. If you have smooth and perfectly shiny floors, they will often show damage instantly.
At Improve Canada, we have the top local flooring experts and wood floor suppliers all in one place. Visit www.improvecanada.com for more.
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