Engineered Flooring vs. Hardwood Flooring - What's the Difference?

The discussion between engineered flooring and hardwood floors has been going on for a long time in the world of hardwoods. Ultimately, though, it comes down to personal taste rather than practicality when deciding between such two flooring types. Most house owners will be satisfied either with solid or manufactured wood floors.

However, you may not know which to choose as a new installer. The question of which designed and solid wood species would fare best in the face of liquid spills or water is one example.

You may be wondering which option is preferable for the suggested installation location in your home. Designed wood flooring, for instance, is a better choice for damp environments like bathrooms, kitchens, and underground bunkers. The value of real hardwood remains unchanged.

Here Nature Wood Floors explains the key differences between these two types of wood flooring.

Here, you'll find all the information you need to make an educated decision between designed as well as solid wood floors.

What is Engineered Flooring?

The word "engineered flooring" is likely to be encountered during the search for a new wooden floor. But what exactly is engineered timber flooring, and why would you choose it? 

When something is engineered, it is essentially "made with the assistance of scientific methods." The designed flooring was built specifically for its function. Reclaimed from a former life as a tree, natural wood flooring is now a modern synthetic.

What is Hardwood Flooring?

For those unfamiliar, real wood flooring is made from a single plank of wood that may contain a number of different tree species.

Its alternative, engineered wood flooring, is made of a solid wood veneer formed a bond to a synthesized core.

Tongue-and-groove joinery on all four sides is a common feature of solid wood floors. The tap design of the planks makes it easy to conceal any visible gaps among them once they've been set up.

• Real wood flooring, in contrast to engineered wood, has a considerable amount of hardwood above the tongue. This means that solid wood floors can be refinished many times over their lifetime.
• Nail and Glue down or screw down and glue to the floor surface is the recommended method of installing these boards. As a means toward this end, gluing the board to the floor surface is an option (concrete, sheet material, lumber, and so on.) When nailing the panel to the floor surface, it is best to use hidden nails pushed at an angular position through into the tongues.
• Nail fastening is most effective on solid wood surfaces like plywood or wood floors. In addition to the natural beauty of wood, hardwood flooring also comes in a variety of finishes and grades. Common dimensions are 100 mm to width of 150 mm and 18 micrometers or 19mm thick.

Major Differences between Solid Hardwood vs. Engineered Wood 

In contrast to engineered wood floors, the wood used for solid wooden floors remains consistent in species all through the plank's entire thickness. Meanwhile, the designed flooring is constructed with a premium plywood base and a thin solid wood veneer bonded on the upper edge.

Most types of solid wooden floors have a milled tongue and groove resume that makes it possible for the boards to interlock when laid together. Then, they are fastened to the floor surface with nails. It is common to practice nailing or gluing down architected flooring.

The price of designed flooring typically increases with the number of flanges it contains (3, 5, and even nine or ten are common). If you're looking for a cheaper flooring option, look elsewhere; designed flooring is not the same as hardboard or vinyl.

Famous species for both real wood and designed floors include oak, walnut, and elm; however, exotic wood products such as Zebrano as well as wenge could really add a striking, opulent touch.

At first, when installed, both wood flooring and designed flooring appear identical and perform their respective functions admirably. The deciding factor between solid hardwood and designed flooring, assuming all other factors are equivalent, may come down to.

Comparison between Solid Hardwood vs. Engineered Wood 

• Stability — Real wood flooring can deform under certain conditions, while designed flooring is more impervious to this.
• Lifespan —Since it can be smoothed and renovated multiple times, real wood flooring has a longer life than architected flooring.
• Budget — With regard to your wallet, you should know that hardwood flooring is typically more costly than designed flooring.

Which One is Best for Your Home?

Consider these factors when deciding between solid hardwood and designed hardwood.

Both solid and designed hardwood floors are extremely sturdy and long-lasting. Both may be maintained for decades of beauty if cared for properly.

When it comes to maintenance, applying a coat of paint to the surface of your floor every 3 to 5 years is ideal for both solid and designed flooring.

It's common knowledge that solid and engineered flooring requires hardly any upkeep and is among the easiest-to-maintain options available. A quick sweep, vacuum, and damp mop once in a while should do the trick.

When deciding between solid and designed wood flooring, it's important to think about the room in which it will be fitted.

Real wood flooring is not recommended for use in conservatories, restrooms due to the possibility of warping and swelling caused by moisture and warm air. Extreme heat can dry out hardwood, causing it to shrink, while extreme cold or wetness can cause it to swell.

Engineered flooring triumphs in the category of durability.

Final Thoughts

To save money, many people used architected wood flooring instead of real wooden floors. However, innovations in production have removed this stigma.

 The reputation of solid wood stems from its history of increasing a house's price and durability. Recently, however, designed wood flooring has arisen as a competitive option. It boasts a number of benefits, including low cost and easy setup.

It makes no difference whether you go with designed or solid wooden floors. You can expect success with either. Nonetheless, when laying new flooring, it's critical to use only authentic materials. Also, we're here to help you out.

Are you looking for a wholesale engineered flooring company in Tampa? Nature Wood Floors will be your Best Choice. Contact us and get your quote now.