When it comes to hardwood floors, there are two main types of flooring to choose from: solid wood and engineered wood. Both types of flooring will provide an excellent appearance, considerable lifespan, and the feel of a high-quality wooden floor. But how does the installation process for engineered wood differ from solid wood flooring?Engineered floors tend to be more versatile and cost-effective, while solid wood floors offer a more extensive installation process. However, both types of flooring are made of 100% wood and will look the same once installed.
Engineered wood floors often float, meaning they are attached to an existing floor without adhesives or nails to hold them together. On the other hand, hardwood floors are usually nailed down for a more secure installation. Engineered wood floors have slightly chamfered edges, creating small grooves between the boards, while solid wood floors generally have very tight joints between the boards. Additionally, engineered wood floors have a softer feel with a bit of bounce, while hardwood floors are generally not as noisy. Prefinished engineered wood floors also reduce overall maintenance since cracks don't need to be sealed like a hardwood floor with on-site finishing. When it comes to drawbacks, there isn't a clear advantage of one type of wood floor over the other.
However, if a floating engineered floor is installed on a subfloor that is not perfectly level, the floor may move a little when you step on it. Additionally, trees used to make hardwood floors take longer to grow than the trees used to make engineered wood floors. In conclusion, both solid and engineered hardwood floors offer great benefits and can provide your home with an elegant look and feel. The decision between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and budget.
