Hardwood vs. Engineered Wood Flooring

Hardwood floors seem to hold transcendent and mystical power over people. They ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at them. Some people buy a home exclusively for its gorgeous hardwood floors. Well, now we have a new player in the game with engineered wood flooring. There are pros and cons to both types of flooring. If you are unfamiliar with the engineered wood flooring craze, here are a few explanations. 

What is Engineered Wood Flooring? 

Engineered wood flooring is a type of wood flooring that is made up of layers. The top and bottom layers are made with 100% natural wood. The core consists of layers of plywood pressed together in a crisscrossed pattern. On the surface, the engineered wood flooring is designed to look and feel exactly like hardwood floors. 

What are the Critical Differences Between Engineered Wood Flooring and Hardwood Floors? 

Hardwood flooring is made up entirely of different types of wood. Some of the most popular wood styles include oak, cherry, maple, and walnut. Besides the makeup of the flooring, there are several other differences. Here are a few: 

1. Cost: Hardwood floors are twice as much as engineered wood flooring. For hardwood, plan on spending $8 to $15 per square foot, depending on the wood – the engineered wood ranges between $4 to $7 per square foot. 

2. Adaptability to Moisture: Hardwood floors are water-resistant but not waterproof. In comparison, engineered wood flooring is more water resistant than hardwood but still not completely waterproof. 

3. Lifespan: One of the reasons hardwood floors are so sought after is because they have a lifespan of 30-100 years. Homeowners can rest assured that they will likely not have to replace their hardwood flooring unless disaster strikes. Engineered wood flooring has an impressive lifespan of 30 years, considering the material that makes up this flooring. 

4. Size: Hardwood size is as follows – Length 12-84 inches, thickness around ¾ of an inch, and width 2 ¼ to 4 inches. Engineered wood flooring size is – Length 12-60 inches, thickness-3/8 to 9/16 inches, width 2 ¼ to 7 inches. So, while engineered wood flooring may not get as long as hardwood floors, its width and thickness makes up for it. 

5. Maintenance: Both hardwood floors and engineered wood flooring are easy to maintain. They only need vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping with a hardwood cleaner, never water! Many people recommend the Bono cleaning solution for cleaning hardwood floors. However, hardwood floors are better for long-term maintenance since they can be sanded down and refinished several times over their lifespan. 

6. Installation: Hardwood flooring installation involves the wood planks being nailed to the subfloor. It requires skillful craftsmanship to install hardwood floors properly. The engineered wood flooring is much easier to install. Some say it is DIY-friendly since it comes in glued or interlocking panels. 

Overall, both flooring solutions have more similarities than differences, so your choice of flooring will be a personal decision. It boils down to your style preferences and budget. At Like Nu Flooring, we are happy to help you decide. Contact us today for a consultation or visit our showroom.