Is your floor due for an update? Hardwood is a popular choice, but have you thought about engineered hardwood flooring?
It’s beautiful, durable, and easy to maintain. Below, we’ll look at how these two types of wood compare. You’ll learn about their pros, cons, and best uses in a home.
Read on and let’s get started.
Durability Versus Longevity
When it comes to durability, engineered hardwood flooring is typically made of layers. The top one is real wood, but underneath are layers of plywood or fiberboard. This makes it strong against bending or warping when it gets wet or when temperatures change.
Traditional hardwood, though, is a solid piece of wood from top to bottom. It can last a very long time if you take good care of it, but it can get scratched or damaged by water more easily than engineered wood can.
Cost Comparison Insights
As for the flooring cost, engineered hardwood is often kinder to your wallet. The price of engineered wood floors includes the cost of the material and usually the installation as well.
All in all, it’s less expensive because the wood veneer on top is thinner than the thick solid wood in traditional hardwood floors. Be sure to keep this in mind when considering quality flooring options.
Traditional hardwood costs more, not just for the wood but also for the installation, which can be a bigger job. This means if you’re looking to save money but still want a wood look, engineered might be the way to go.
Installation Ease Contrast
Installation is where engineered hardwood shines as it’s designed for quick and easy setup. Many types click together without glue or nails, which is perfect for DIYers. You can even lay it over existing floors, saving you time and hassle.
Traditional hardwood, on the other hand, usually needs professional installers. They have to nail each plank onto the subfloor, which takes longer and adds to the cost. Plus, you can’t install it over existing floors as they don’t need to get removed first
Aesthetic and Style Differences
When it comes to looks, both floors come in a wide range of styles and colors. Engineered hardwood floors have a layer of real wood on top.
This means they look just like traditional hardwood. Whatever style or color you’re dreaming of, you can probably find it in engineered wood, too.
The main difference is that with traditional hardwood, you can sand and refinish it several times over the years to make it look new again. With engineered hardwood, you can only do this once or twice because the top wood layer is much thinner.
Maintenance and Repairs Overview
When it comes to taking care of your floor, both engineered and traditional hardwood have similar methods. Regular vacuuming or sweeping keeps the dirt away. For tougher messes, a damp mop with a gentle cleaner does the job.
If you get a scratch, it’s a bit easier to fix on traditional hardwood because you can sand it down more times than you can with engineered wood. Yet, engineered floors are better against moisture damage, which means less warping or staining over time.
Should You Go For Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
Engineered hardwood flooring is a smart and stylish choice for many homes. It’s built to last, looks great, and can fit into your life with ease. Whatever your choice, we hope this guide has helped you take a step closer to a home that you love, from the ground up.
And before you go, be sure to read through some of our other helpful posts!
