Should I Buy Engineered or Solid Wood Flooring?
At first glance, engineered or solid hardwood flooring boards look similar, and when they are laid, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference from the top. There are merits to both types of floor, and the choice of which to buy ultimately comes down to your personal preference and needs.
Solid wood flooring is made from certain species of hardwood typically oak, walnut, maple, cherry, or ash. The total width and thickness and length of each board is made from piece of hardwood lumber.
Engineered wood flooring, on the other hand, is made up of a veneer (thin layer) of solid wood that sits on top of multiple layers of plywood. The veneer is fixed to the layers of plywood at 90 degree angle for stability. It is important that the plywood, and the adhesives used to bond it to the veneer, are high-quality so that the board can remain stable throughout the product’s lifespan.
Plywood is made from thin layers of wood bonded together with adhesive, made of Birch, Eucalyptus, or poplar. The layers are cross layered in a way that prevents excessive movement of the board under different environmental conditions like fluctuating temperatures or moisture.
Solid wood:
Engineered wood:
Engineered wood flooring vs solid wood flooring: advantages and disadvantages
Durability
Real wood floors are usually durable and hard wearing, but this can vary depending on the environment. Solid wood is liable to warp when exposed to moisture or humidity, and when it's warmer in the summer months the wood can expand. This makes wood floors unsuitable for areas subject to higher levels of humidity such as bathrooms.
Engineered wood floors can withstand slightly more moisture and heat due to the way the thin layers of wood are fixed together, as they prevent each other's expansion. The product due to the manufacturing process is more dynamically stable, though is by no means waterproof, and not recommended for bathrooms, however it can still be fitted in a kitchen with the right precautions taking place.
Wood flooring can last a lifetime, upwards of 100 years, and can be sanded and refinished multiple times to repair any damage and make it look brand new, making it good for high traffic areas. Engineered wood floors can last between 25 - 30 years depending on foot traffic; this can be extended with regular maintenance and good care. You can only sand and refinish engineered wood once or twice before the top layer of solid wood is sanded away down to the plywood.
Cleaning
In terms of cleaning, it is similar for both types of floor. Sweep with soft bristle brushes, vacuum regularly, avoid normal household cleaning chemicals as they can damage the wood, instead, opt for approved wood cleaning solutions. Avoid using water or steam mops, regardless of what manufacturers might say, as the moisture can penetrate and warp the timber.
Appearance
There is a wider variety of colours with solid wood floors, and the planks tend to be slimmer than engineered wood. Both can come with different types of finishes like oil, lacquer, or wax, which bring out the natural grains of the timber and can give different levels of sheen. Most wood will come with a factory finish, however you can buy some flooring without a finish which means after installation you can apply your own finish depending on the colour scheme you want to adopt. Ultimately, this would come down to personal preference.
Fitting and DIY
It is generally easier to fit engineered wood floors especially if they can come with click-lock system. Engineered wood flooring can be laid as a floating floor or can be fixed to the subfloor which would be the two most common types of installation used across the UK for Engineered wood flooring. Most people would be able to fit an engineered wood flooring, however we would recommend using a professional to make sure you’re happy with your flooring installation.
With solid wood floors you have to make sure the subfloor is adequate for the flooring before doing anything. These rarely come with a click lock system, and may require the services of a professional to handle the installation which will increase the total cost of buying your flooring.
Cost
Solid hardwood floors tend to be more expensive per square meter than engineered. Plus, there could be additional costs for fitting as it may require professional services. However, solid hardwood floors are ultimately more investable as they will last longer, can be refinished a couple more times, and are perceived as a more luxurious product. Having a wood in a property to sell should help to make your property more desirable and has sometimes even helped to increase the value of a property .
Engineered wood floors can vary widely in prices, some being far cheaper per square meter than others depending on the products specification, to some being a little more expensive than traditional solid wood floors if they are engineered to a high specification.
Environmental impact
A reason that solid wood floors, despite their luxurious reputation, are in decline is because of how much boards a single tree can provide. Good hardwoods like oak take a long time to mature, and you will get less planks from a single tree when the whole board is cut from the tree.
Engineered wood uses far less slow-growing hardwood such as oak or maple (since only the top veneer is made of these woods), and uses plywood underneath. Plywood is made of Birch and other woods are faster growing, so they are more readily available, thus cheaper. This also allows us to get more veneers of wood from slow-growing oaks, instead of using a solid piece of oak.
Summary
To summarise: With engineered wood, you get the same looking high-quality boards, they are more environmentally friendly, and they tend to be more friendly on your bank account! Overall, there is no definite “better” choice. Both solid and engineered wood have their pros and cons, and both are high-quality products. Different types will serve different people’s needs. With this article, we hope we helped you make a more informed choice about your real wood floor!