Solid Wood vs. Engineered Wood – A Comparison Guide

Solid wood flooring as compared to engineered wood is a 100% wood alone which is cut out directly from the tree itself. However, engineered wood as the name suggests is the modified wooden flooring that consists of a thin layer of wood attached to a strong plywood piece. The best Dallas Flooring companies share their expertise and make this guide. 

Here we would be comparing solid wooden flooring and engineered wooden flooring over some of the special points which would help people in getting their desired requirements. 

1. Appearance

Solid Wood Flooring – These comes in a variety of ranges. It may be a part of an oak tree, maple or even the walnut tree. As compared to engineered wood, solid wood are smaller in breadth and longer in length. They have wide range of colours. They usually come with pre-finished touch-ups that solely depend upon the consumer’s design preferences.

Engineered Wood Flooring – These entirely comes with pre-finished touch-ups. When compared to solid wooden flooring, they are wider in blocks. They usually forms grooves on the edges because of the pre-finishing given to them. They have a small range of species and colour pattern.

2. Lifespan

Solid Wood Flooring – It has a total life span of about 80-90 years. During this period, it can be sanded and refinished several times, thereby giving a new life to the solid flooring.

Engineered Wood Flooring – It approximately has a life span of about 40 years. It usually comes with pre-finishing and cannot be sanded like solid wood. 

Therefore, solid wood wins precisely in terms of longevity.

3.Resistance to Water

Solid Wood Flooring – Since the solid wood is directly cut from the tree, it is not advisable to install it against the concrete floors. The cut out pieces tends to absorb water from the concrete. It causes it to swell up and even gets twisted along its length. 

Engineered Wood Flooring – Due to its strong plywood base, it can be easily installed on the concrete slabs or humid location. They are highly capable to last long in damp conditions.

4.Cost

Solid Wood Flooring – The average cost is about $8 to $9 per square foot of the pre-finished wood. 

Engineered Wood Flooring – When compared to solid wood flooring, the engineered wood is cheaper. The average cost is about $6 to $7 per square foot.

5.Installation

Solid Wood Flooring – Being thick and completely natural, solid wood is prone to expansion and contraction due to the change in the weather. It is to be installed very carefully allowing enough space for the natural expansion and contraction. The gaps between the solid should neither to be too tight nor too loose. If the gap is too tight, the wood would crack from the nailed position or distort sideways during its expansion in the summers. If the gaps are too loose, it will further loose during contraction in the winters. 

Engineered Wood Flooring – It comes with the wide choice of installation and is recommended to be used anywhere. Due to its unique and enhanced construction, it can be nailed or glued. It can easily adjust to the temperature change without any kind of distortion or deformation. Therefore it can be used on ground level or above it. 

6. Maintenance

Solid Wood Flooring – This type of flooring can be sanded and re-finished several times during its life span. It generally requires normal vacuum cleaning or sweeping. It should not be washed with water on daily basis but should be cleaned occasionally with the certified cleaning agent.

Engineered Wood Flooring – This type of flooring is very thin. As compared to solid wood flooring, it can be sanded or refinished, once or twice, during its complete life span. However it can be cleaned with vacuum cleaner or any other cheap cleaning agent. 

7.Sizes

Solid Wood Flooring – The solid wood is cut into various lengths, usually ranging from 12.5 inches to 84 inches. The standard planks of solid wood is generally ¾ inches in thickness and about 2 ¼ inches in width. It can be available in any range of thickness and width as per the requirement of the consumer. But the thickness does not exceed more than 4 inches.

Engineered Wood Flooring – As compared to solid wood flooring, engineered woods are thin. The size of the engineered woods is entirely as per the requirement. The common length of an engineered wooden plank is about 12 inches and it can go up to 60-65 inches in length. In comparison to solid wood flooring, engineered woods are broad and can match up to 7 inches. The average thickness of engineered wood is about 3/8 inches which can further increase to 9/16 inches in thickness. 

8.Time Value

Being a premium quality product, solid wood flooring and engineered wood flooring, increases the economic value of your home. 

Solid Wood Flooring – Most of the professional and experienced real estate evaluator have considered solid wood flooring to be more valuable and of greater economic asset in comparison to engineered wood flooring. It is mainly because of its long life span. 

Engineered Wood Flooring – While most of the people see solid wood flooring to be of greater economic value, engineered wood flooring loses its grip on some minute differences.

Conclusion

It was believed that engineered woods were of no match to the original solid wood; however recent developments and modification made it clear that engineered wood is not just a copy of the solid woods. It can be a tough competitor. Regardless of these differences, it is an entire personal decision of the consumer which depends on his budget, his mindset and his requirements.