There are two major hardwood flooring choices to choose from, solid hardwood and engineered wood. If you are building or remodeling a home, you may find that one type of hardwood flooring is better for you than the other.
Solid hardwood flooring is made from only one type of wood. Engineered wood flooring, on the other hand, is crafted from a thin slice of hardwood and coated with plywood. Solid hardwood is typically 3/4 of an inch thick, while engineered wood flooring is 3/8 of an inch to 1/2 of an inch thick. As far as width, a plank of solid hardwood is 3.25 inches to 11 inches wide and engineered hardwood is 3.25 to 5 inches wide.
If you are looking for variety, solid hardwood comes in a greater range of choices. You can find red and white oak, hickory, pine, and maple solid hardwood flooring. You can also find some of these options with engineered hardwood flooring, but you may not be able to find exactly what you’re looking for. However, when it comes to pre-finishing, you are more likely to find pre-finished engineered hardwood flooring. Almost all engineered flooring is pre-finished, while solid hardwood is far less likely to be pre-finished.
If you are interested in sanding your flooring, both types of hardwood will only be able to handle so much. Engineered hardwood can only be sanded lightly once or twice, while solid hardwood can be sanded numerous times before experiencing thinning. Both types of flooring also have excellent resale value, but engineered hardwood is easier to install. On the other hand, solid hardwood is more durable.
With all of these factors considered, it’s up to you to decide which type of hardwood flooring is better for the rooms in your home. Shop from solid hardwood and engineered hardwood flooring at flooring.org. We offer an outstanding selection of hardwood flooring, so shop from our website today!