When it comes to quality hardwood flooring, there are numerous options you could go with. One of those options is having installed either solid or engineered hardwood flooring in your home. But, what’s the difference between these two types?
Engineered wood pros and cons
The first thing you need to know about hardwood flooring is this – wood moves. Depending on the level of humidity, it is always either expanding or contracting. In order to restrain this natural movement of timber, wood flooring producers use engineered wood.
Even though engineered wood looks pretty much the same as solid wood, to notice the difference you will have to look under the surface! In case you got a feeling like engineered wood is some kind of fake wood, rest assured it’s not. It is 100% real wood, only it’s not homogenous.

STABILITY
It is built by bonding a thin veneer of hardwood on the surface, while in the core there are crisscrossed layers of various materials, including high-quality plywood. That provides the excellent stability of the flooring.
RESISTANCE TO HUMIDITY AND MOISTURE
One of the crucial reasons why one would go for engineered over solid wood is its resistance to the effects of humidity and moisture. The particular bonding method provides engineered wood with a highly stable core, which is able to withstand the exposure to moisture and humidity without expanding or contracting. This property provides the possibility of installing hardwood flooring in damp, humid areas, such as sub-levels, or on top of concrete floors. They can also be installed over radiant heat, which aids the expansion and contraction resistance.
SIMPLE INSTALLATION
Another positive trait of engineered wood is its easy installation process. As they are typically pre-finished and don’t require any finishing treatment after installation, such as waxing or oiling, their installation is more quickly and more simply done than with the hardwood floor. You can install them by gluing, nailing, or floating them and you can walk over the floor immediately after the installation. Furthermore, engineered wood is very easily attached to another wooden surface, a concrete floor, and even to a soundproofing mat.
PLANK SIZE
Engineered floors commonly have much wider and longer planks than solid hardwood floors, which is one of the aesthetic factors which might be more pleasing to some people, depending on the subjective individual’s preferences.
LOWER PRICE
Although we can’t say that engineered floors are in fact cheap, they are somewhat cheaper than solid hardwood floors. This factor, in combination with the fact that engineered wood is very durable, resistant, easy to install, and on top of that it’s good looking, is the reason why many people are attracted to this type of flooring.
INABILITY OF MULTIPLE SANDING AND FINISHING
Although its bonding method may be a positive trait for some aspects, it also causes one important flaw of engineered flooring. Given that its surface layer is relatively thin, it cannot be sanded and refinished multiple times. Although in the beginning, the flooring will surely handle the everyday life that’s going on over it, after years of wear and tear, it will require sanding and refinishing treatment. Due to its slenderness, even the best quality engineered flooring can manage up to three finishes.
Solid hardwood pros and cons
ABILITY TO BE SANDED AND FINISHED MANY TIMES
Solid hardwood is, as the name suggests, a solid piece of wood throughout its thickness. One of its main positive traits is its possibility of being sanded and refinished many times during its lifespan. Can you guess why solid wood, unlike engineered wood, is capable to endure multiple sanding processes? Yes, precisely thanks to its thickness.
For this reason, solid hardwood floors are suitable for people that live in their own home and plan on staying there for a while, families and busy households with children and pets. Moreover, thanks to its ability to be sanded and refinished many times, you have a possibility to change the color of your hardwood flooring when you get bored of the first one you picked.
SUITABLE FOR REMODELING
If you’re planning to remodel, expand the rooms, or remove some walls in your home someday, with solid hardwood it won’t be a problem. With this type of flooring, adding more wood, or removing some, is quite simple.
SENSITIVITY TO HUMIDITY AND MOISTURE
On the other hand, solid wood flooring is sensitive to humidity and moisture effects. That is, it’s prone to expanding within a humid environment, and shrinking during cold, dry periods. That being said, it’s also important to mention that once damaged, the solid floor is in general much easier to repair, whether we’re talking about the water damage, or pet scratches and stains. The damaged parts are easier to be matched with the replacement wood, unlike engineered flooring which can sometimes be hard to match and repair.
LONGER INSTALLATION
Solid hardwood floors take a bit longer to be installed, stained, and protected than engineered flooring. They are normally finished on-site and it’s recommended that you are absent from the house during the process.
The best choice for you
Both engineered and solid wood have lots of virtues and each one of them has particular needs and serves a particular purpose. Both of these flooring styles will provide your home with equal looks and elegance, so the choice is exclusively on you.
In order to make the right choice between the two, you need to evaluate the environment of your home and set your personal preferences based on your lifestyle, future plans, and timing.
Solid hardwood offers more flexibility, longevity, and durability, while stable engineered floors are more suitable for humid locations and installations against concrete slabs. Additionally, engineered floors are more appropriate for people with a slightly lower budget, or for those who would prefer a simple, quick installation, as this flooring you can install by yourself.
If you still have any doubts regarding the difference between these two types of wooden floors, or you’d like the advice and guidance of a professional when installing hardwood flooring, please feel free to give us a call. Apart from flooring inspection services, Flooring Detective also offers advisory service based on his 25-year long experience in this industry.