When it comes to choosing the perfect flooring for your home, it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. That said, many homeowners are often drawn to the warmth and classic style of wood floors. But even within this category, you face an important choice between engineered hardwood and solid hardwood flooring. To help you make an informed decision, we've broken down the pros and cons of engineered and solid hardwood floors. Let's get into the details so that you can start finding the right fit for your home.
Durability and Longevity
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood floors are made from a single plank of wood, giving them incredible longevity. With proper care, these floors can last decades—sometimes even a century. One of the standout features of solid hardwood is its refinishing potential. You can sand and refinish solid hardwood multiple times over the years, which allows you to rejuvenate its appearance, repair surface damage, or change the color entirely. This resiliency also makes solid hardwood an excellent option for high-traffic areas.
However, certain species of solid hardwood are more prone to dents and scratches because of their natural composition. For example, oak is a softer type of hardwood, so it is more prone to dents but is less likely to scratch. In contrast, hickory is a harder wood species, which is why it rarely dents but can still be susceptible to scratches.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood has a layered construction that consists of a real hardwood veneer on top, also known as the wear layer, and a plywood core underneath. This design makes it more structurally stable than solid hardwood and provides enhanced resistance to warping or cupping over time. However, engineered hardwood cannot typically be refinished more than once or twice due to its thinner top layer, limiting its overall longevity compared to solid wood.
While engineered hardwood isn’t as forgiving when it comes to refinishing, its durability against everyday wear and tear is impressive, particularly for households with kids and pets. With the right care, engineered hardwood can last for decades.
If you’re looking for flooring that will stand the test of time and offer more flexibility for refinishing, solid hardwood wins. However, engineered hardwood holds its own with its stability and scratch resistance.
Installation Complexity and Flexibility
Solid Hardwood
Installing solid hardwood flooring is a complex process. It typically requires professional installation, as the planks are nailed or stapled to a subfloor. This flooring can only be installed on above-grade levels like living rooms or bedrooms and requires a plywood subfloor for stability.
Solid hardwood is very sensitive to changes in temperature or humidity levels, which is why it’s less flexible when it comes to installation options. This means you cannot install it in basements or over concrete slabs.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood offers much more flexibility with installation. Thanks to its stable construction, it can be installed in a variety of methods, including glue-down, nail-down, or even floating planks. It’s compatible with different subfloors, including concrete, which makes it an option for dry basements. Additionally, many engineered hardwood options come with click-lock systems that make DIY installation a possibility for confident homeowners.
Cost Comparison
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood floors come with a higher upfront cost, both for the material and professional installation. However, they also add significant resale value and are a long-term investment thanks to their refinishing potential.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood is typically more affordable upfront, as it requires less raw hardwood material. And the ease of installation further reduces costs. While it may not last as long as solid hardwood, it still adds value to your home.
Maintenance Requirements
Both solid hardwood and engineered hardwood are relatively easy to maintain, but there are some differences worth noting.
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood floors are low-maintenance but require regular damp mopping or vacuuming to remove dirt and debris that might scratch the surface. To maintain the wood’s finish, you can polish it periodically. Solid hardwood also benefits from the ability to sand and refinish blemishes, giving it a new lease on life. However, it’s essential to clean up spills immediately, as moisture can seep into the wood and cause damage.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood requires similar maintenance—regular sweeping and occasional mopping with a damp cloth. Like solid hardwood, cleaning up spills promptly is important to protect against water damage. Its surface finish is often highly resistant to wear. However, if the thin hardwood veneer becomes damaged, your options for repairs are more limited compared to solid wood floors.
Resistance to Humidity and Moisture
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood performs poorly in humid or fluctuating environments. Wood naturally expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. Over time, these fluctuations can cause warping or gaps between floorboards. For this reason, solid hardwood is not suitable in bathrooms or any space prone to moisture.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood’s layered construction makes it more resistant to humidity and temperature changes. It doesn’t expand or contract as much as solid wood, making it a more reliable option for areas with higher humidity, such as the kitchen. However, neither option is recommended in bathrooms, where moisture levels remain extremely high.
Aesthetics and Customization
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood is available in a variety of wood species and stains. You can also select a stain and natural wood grain that perfectly matches your home’s style, whether you prefer a rustic oak, a sleek maple, or an exotic Acacia. That said, certain species that grow slowly or are more difficult to process can be more expensive.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood has improved its range of looks over the years and offers a wide range of style options. The veneer allows for budget-friendly customization, which is why you can find an array of finishes and colors.
Finding the Hardwood Floors of Your Dreams
Choosing between engineered and solid hardwood ultimately depends on your design preferences and lifestyle. If you prioritize durability and higher resale value, solid hardwood is an investment that will serve you well for decades. On the other hand, if you're after affordability and better moisture resistance, engineered hardwood may be the perfect addition to your home.
Whichever you choose, both engineered and solid hardwood floors bring beauty, warmth, and value to any space. With this guide to the pros and cons of engineered and solid hardwood floors, you’re armed with the knowledge to make the best decision for your home. If you’re searching for hardwood flooring stores in Portland, visit our showroom. Our unique flooring library is organized by color rather than manufacturer, so you can easily find the samples you like best!