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Hardwood vs. Engineered Hardwood Flooring: Which is Best?
Whether you just bought a new home or are looking to upgrade your current flooring, two popular flooring options are hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood flooring. While they may sound similar, these two options do have key differences that will ultimately determine which is right for you based on factors such as price, maintenance, durability, and more!
Keep reading to learn they key differences (and similarities) of hardwood and engineered hardwood flooring, so you can make the best decision when it comes to your next flooring purchase!
What’s the Difference Between Hardwood and Engineered Hardwood?
First, let’s start by defining both types of flooring options.
Hardwood flooring is made through the process of taking solid wood planks and milling them down to a single piece of wood. With hardwood flooring, you can choose from a variety of specific, including maple, cherry or oak.
Hardwood flooring is perfect for those looking for a range in colors and styles, as well as ultimate durability. Hardwood flooring also rarely goes out of style, so if you’re the type of person who hates keeping up with trends and wants to stick with a classic design, hardwood flooring offers that consistent, timeless look.
Engineered wood flooring differs from hardwood flooring in that it consists of multiple layers of wood uniquely bonded together to create a durable product that tends to be a bit more trendy than standard hardwood floors. The top layer of an engineered floor is typically a veneer of real wood and the lower layers are constructed from plywood or other various types of wood.
While engineered floors aren’t as customizable as hardwood, they are typically available in a range of species and finishes, making them a great option for those who still want variety.
Now that we know the foundational differences between the two types of flooring, let’s look into the five other key factors that are used to determine which type of wood is best for each customer.
Price
The first major difference between hardwood and engineered wood is pricing – with hardwood tending to be a bit more expensive than engineered wood. This is down to the cost of raw materials and labor required to create and install the flooring.
With this being said, hardwood is often a better investment; you’ll pay a bit more up front, but this type of flooring tends to last longer than engineered floors, giving you a better cost-per-use.
Installation
Installation is another key factor in determining which flooring type is right for you due in large part to how it is installed. Hardwood flooring requires professional installation – DIY installation is typically not recommended due to the stability and humidity/temperature controls associated with it.
Engineered flooring, however, can be installed as a DIY project or a professional project. As this type of flooring is a lot more forgiving, the margin of error is greatly reduced, giving you a lot more flexibility over where this type of flooring is installed.
Durability & Longevity
When it comes to durability and longevity, hardwood flooring takes the cake. As we mentioned previously, hardwood flooring will typically cost you more upfront, but will last longer, giving you a better investment, overall.
This is ideal if you have a family or experience wear-and-tear on your floors. Hardwood flooring can also be restored and refreshed, which will help extend the life of your flooring.
Moisture Resistance
Both hardwood flooring and engineered wood flooring require regular cleaning and maintenance in order to keep them looking their best. Hardwood flooring is ultimately more susceptible to moisture damage, so it’s important to be aware of this when cleaning with water-based products or in areas with high humidity, such as a bathroom or basement.
Engineered flooring tends to hold up better in these areas and is a lot more flexible and resistant to moisture than hardwood.
Which Flooring Option Is Right for You?
Ultimately, the flooring option you choose will come down to your unique lifestyle needs. Hardwood flooring is an ideal, high-quality lotion that will not only add value to your home, but will also stand the test of time against continued family use and high traffic. It does cost a bit more to install initially, but offers a classic, timeless look.
Engineered flooring is the cheaper option initially and is a bit easier to install and maintain, but often doesn’t add the same resale value that hardwood flooring does and can’t be trusted to maintain its quality in high-traffic areas.
Find High-Quality Hardwood Flooring at Refloor Today!
If you’re looking for the best-in-class flooring options for your home or residence, there’s no other company that does it like Refloor. With over 10 locations served and convenient features such as shop-at-home convenience and all-inclusive pricing, we make it easy to find the perfect flooring option for your home!
Our team of flooring experts will work directly with you to find the product that fits your unique lifestyle. From hardwood to luxury vinyl and laminate, we’ve got the extensive selection for you and your family.
Get a quote now or contact us today to get started!