When it comes to having a luxury look to your home’s floors, many homeowners opt for real hardwood floors. However, other (more cost-effective) alternatives have become more prevalent, giving homeowners more options to choose from. But, is engineered hardwood floors as good or better than the real thing? We’ll let you decide.
What’s the difference?
While solid wood flooring is often cut into planks made of oak, maple, or walnut, engineered wood flooring looks very similar on the surface but is a thick layer of hardwood bonded to a high-quality plywood. One thing to note: Because engineered wood flooring is very thin, this type of flooring can only be sanded and refinished once. Hardwood floors can generally be sanded and refinished three or more times over the life of the floor.
Flooring Lifespan
The lifespan of solid wood flooring (when well maintained) can be very long, up to 100 years. Engineered flooring, on the other hand, generally may last 25-30 years, maybe less in very high traffic areas. Engineered wood flooring is often slightly cheaper and much easier to install for the average DIYer.
Humidity Resistance
One clear advantage that engineered wood flooring has over hardwood floors is its ability to resist humidity. Often hardwood floors will start to curl or warp or get damaged when exposed to humidity over time. Engineered floors do not warp or buckle in high humid or wet areas.
General Maintenance
Both flooring types are very easy to maintain and can be wiped off easily, using mild wood cleaners or damp mops. Because hardwood floors can be refinished multiple times, there’s less of a pressure to continually maintain the floors as it is with engineered hardwood floors that can only be refinished once.
Installation
Solid hardwood floors take a high level of skill and artistry to install correctly. However, many engineered hardwood flooring styles have “click and lock” edges which make it much easier for the average DIYer to install with minimal help or confusion.
The lifetime value for both flooring types is very high and will contribute significantly to the resale value of any home. Most prospective homebuyers are looking for hardwood flooring (of any kind), but the extended longevity of solid hardwood floors could provide an added boost for homeowners looking for the lost maintenance possible.
Ultimately the decision is yours to make. Whether you choose to invest in hardwood flooring or want to take the engineered wood flooring route, both are a great choice to give your home the added appeal and flooring that will stand the test of time. Need help deciding? Reach out to At Home Pros, and we’ll help you find the right flooring contractor who can give you an even clearer picture of the pros and cons of each flooring type.