Hardwood or Engineered Wood Flooring: Things That You Should to Know

If you have not been into flooring and do not know anything about it, choosing between hardwood and engineered wood might be a hard decision for you. You might know what would look good in your space, but at the same time, you might not know about the composition, texture, and practical features of the flooring.

At luxury flooring , we understand what to offer when a customer comes with a blank mind or with too many expectations in mind and heart. We believe that your flooring should offer maximum comfort, durability, and long-term value. So, if you are someone who is in such a situation and is thinking of weighing the pros and cons of both worlds, this blog post is a hit for you. In this blog post, we will discuss all you need to know about these woods before making a purchase and the final decision.

The Nature of Hardwood: Timeless and Authentic

Solid hardwood flooring is a traditional yet gold standard for an elegant and clean flooring solution. This one is made from a single piece of timber, and each plank showcases beauty, color variations, and character, which makes this flooring one of a kind. Whether you want to have black oak or rich walnut, hardwood brings a tactile authenticity that engineered products strive to replicate, but they cannot match.

Because this is cut from solid wood, so that is why it is sanded and refinished multiple times over decades. This is one of the reasons why hardwood can have longevity. You might not believe me, but it is true that some hardwood floorings, if maintained properly, can easily last more than 100 years.

For many homeowners, this long life adds a sense of elegance and classic value to their presence. However, hardwood has its limitations. This is more sensitive in areas where there is high temperature and humidity, which might make the wood contract or expand over time. This means if you are thinking of getting this solid wood installed in your home’s basement or any other place, this might not be an appropriate solution, as when working with a wooden floor, it is generally required to get started with a base wooden floor. Most importantly, this requires a professional installation that makes the solution more costly and becomes an added cost.

Engineered Wood: Innovation Meets Style

If we talk about the hardships created by the wooden flooring, then this engineered wood is a modern solution to the modern problems of wood. It is constructed with multiple layers and is much stronger and more resilient. It combines the natural beauty of the wood with enhanced and improved structural stability.

What makes the difference in the engineered wood is the versatility it offers to the customers. Here comes the most useful fact about this wood type, which is that it is prone to warping and shifting, especially in high-temperature areas.

When working with engineered wood flooring, you can get a faster and quicker installation process. However, this is highly dependent on the product type and whether it can be nailed, glued, or simply laid down on the floor.

We understand that the engineered wood might seem like it is the real wood because of its similar appearance, but the ability for it to be sanded and refinished depends on the thickness of the veneer. The thinner layers of the product might often need refinishing, but the outer layer or the higher ends might not need to get refinished often because of their structure and stability.

So, it is important to consider the quality and construction of the engineered flooring before making any final decision.

Performance and Longevity: Understanding the Trade-Offs

This is something that you must be reading carefully to determine which solution is the best one and is good in performance. The answer is that both work well, but the difference in performance comes from where the flooring solution is to be used.

If you are installing the flooring at a place where the climate and weather do not have much control, such as a bedroom or living room, it is important to notice that at such places, solid hardwood is the right option, as it can withstand the environment. At the same time, you must understand that this wood can offer you decades of use.

At the same time, on the other hand, using engineered wood is a good solution for places like basements and kitchens where the temperature can be high or low at times. The best part is that it might be an affordable solution for larger spaces and will not blow your bank.

Another consideration is the maintenance of the flooring. Both types of flooring require regular cleaning and sweeping to stay clean and avoid any sort of dirt and untidiness on the floor. However, if we talk about the engineered wood, it is generally more resistant to moisture penetration.

Aesthetic and Lifestyle Considerations

If we talk from an aesthetic standpoint, both the wood solutions offer a great level of beauty and addition of aesthetics in your space. The surface layer of engineered wood looks like hardwood and comes in different patterns and textures so that you can make a choice among them to make a confident decision. However, your lifestyle plays an important role in making sure that you have made the right choice of wood for your household. Households in which there are guests and pets often might require a solution that is durable and withstands different situations. Engineered wood is the right decision because of the durability and moisture resistance this wood can offer.

At the same time, if you are looking for something that is conventional and gives a touch of old heritage to your space, then you might go for real hardwood.

Making the Right Choice

Choosing between hardwood and engineered wood is not about which is “better”; it is about which one is the right solution for you and satisfies your needs. The location of your home and your lifestyle, along with your long-term plans, should all be involved when making the decision so that you make a confident and informed decision.

At our flooring studio, we offer a curated selection of both solid hardwood and premium engineered wood flooring, which is all sourced from trusted and reliable manufacturers and that is made to uplift the style and elegance of any space. We have specialized experts who help you understand the pros and cons of the flooring and also show you the real sample so that you can find the balance in the decision. 

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