You are ready to buy flooring and you have decided that you definitely want wood and nothing else will do. We get that, the rich and warm feel created by natural wood is pretty hard to beat. The only problem is, you have heard of engineered hardwood flooring but you are not sure what it is and how it differs from solid hardwood. Let us help you with a simple guide to understanding whether solid hardwood or engineered hardwood flooring is better for your Edmonton home.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring is the Real Deal
Some of you might think that due to the name being "engineered hardwood flooring", that we're trying to pull the wool over Edmonton's eyes when we say this is a real wood product. The fact is, it's in the manufacturing process that makes the largest difference between the two flooring types. As the name suggests, solid hardwood is just that- long strips of solid wood that are cut from trees. Engineered hardwood flooring also uses long strips of hardwood, but they are laminated to a plywood core. Once your flooring is installed, only you can tell the difference!
Solid Hardwood Isn't Quite as Versatile
Engineered hardwoods as we said above, are similar to solid floors because they too are one long strip of hardwood. However, when they are laminated to the core, the grain of hardwood is placed opposing the grain in the plywood. This creates a more sound structure than solid hardwood where the grain all runs in the same direction throughout each piece. For this reason, solid hardwoods are generally not guaranteed if they are used in basements or areas prone to moisture or drastic temperature changes. Since engineered hardwood flooring is not as prone to cracking, buckling or swelling, it is more versatile in where it can be used. Due to this enhanced structure, it is also a little more resistant to daily wear and tear and resists rippling that may occur with solid flooring.
Choose Between Solid or Engineered Hardwood Flooring
While engineered hardwoods allow for greater versatility, they cannot be sanded and refinished as many times as solid hardwood flooring can be, so this may be a consideration depending on the age of your home and family. Engineered floors have factory finishes however, that are highly durable and can handle heavy traffic better than solid wood finishes can. In either case, it might be wise to make use of scatter or area rugs in areas that are prone to heavier traffic to avoid marring the finish.
The choice is yours, Edmonton! Both flooring choices are beautiful and can last a lifetime, but engineered hardwood flooring definitely has a few features that make it worth your consideration. Why not stop in to one of our Flooring Superstores Edmonton locations to see for yourself? Contact us today to learn more about engineered hardwood flooring and to get more information to help you find the perfect flooring.