Real Hardwoods or Engineered – Which is Best for You?

So you’ve decided that you would like a hardwood floor in your next remodel or newly built home. After all, what other option is as classic or timeless as hardwood? The question now is whether or not you want a solid hardwood floor or an engineered hardwood. Before you decide, here are some things to consider about both options.

Engineered hardwood is a popular choice among customers because of its cheap price tag, ease of installation, and its reduced likelihood of becoming damaged in moist climates. An engineered hardwood floor is made up of several layers of wood and plywood with a top layer of hardwood. Because of its construction, the flooring is easy to install by anyone and does not usually require a hired expert to install. The downside is that the top layer, the layer of hardwood, is very thin and difficult to repair. This makes the floor more prone to show wear over time. The lifespan of an engineered hardwood is much shorter than that of a real hardwood floor because it can only be refinished a maximum of three times. The cheaper price tag may seem attractive at first, but it may end up costing you when you try to resell your home because engineered hardwoods do not add as much value to your home as real hardwood floors do.

A real, solid hardwood floor is exactly as it sounds; solid hardwood from top to bottom. This option has much more longevity and permanence, along with adding value to your home. Real hardwood floors can be refinished a number of times, adding more time to the life of the floor. In fact, a quality hardwood that is well taken care of can easily last a lifetime. They are also easy to repair if the floor is nicked or dented because you do not typically need to remove large sections of flooring to make the repair. The problem area is simply sanded down and refinished. A final advantage to a real hardwood floor is that they are easily cleaned and maintained. There are no cracks between the strips of wood to trap dirt in, so the floors can just be wiped down with a dampened cloth.

Both engineered and real hardwood floors are excellent options for your home, but in a context, the real hardwood certainly takes the lead. Nothing can ever compare to the real deal, and a deal is what you would be getting if you chose this flooring option. What could be better than having a floor you love that will last you a lifetime?

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