When it comes to hardwood, what’s the biggest difference between solid and engineered flooring?

Hardwood floors are timeless and durable, but not all wood floors are created equally.

In today’s blog, we’ll take a look at the single, most important difference between solid and engineered wood flooring after explaining all the subtle differences between the two.

The Subtle Differences:

Although solid and engineered planks are both made out of hard timber, the composition and installation process of the board types is where the subtle differences appear.

The general differences between solid and engineered wood include:

Construction:

While solid hardwood planks are made out of a single solid piece of timber, engineered floors are constructed from multiple “sheets” of thin hardwood that are layered on top of one another.

Sanding & Refinishing:

Both solid and engineered planks can be sanded and refinished to remove scratches or dents from the surface. Because hardwood planks are made of one thick piece of wood, they can be refinished and reused to prolong their life span. Because engineered wood isn’t made with a thick top veneer layer, it’s likely the floor will only support one or two resurfacing treatments.

Expansion & Contraction:

Wood expands during warm weather and shrinks in cooler temperatures. Installing solid hardwood is difficult because each board must be carefully spaced out to prevent gaps from appearing between planks during changes in temperature. Because engineered floors are created to make installation quick and easy, they don’t expand and contract as much as their solid hardwood counterparts.

The Most Important Difference Between Solid & Engineered Wood Flooring


Of all the differences between solid and engineered wood flooring, it’s the limitations of installation that make the biggest impact on which floor will be right for your home.

“It’s the limitations of installation that make the biggest impact on which floor will be right for your home.”

Unlike solid hardwood planks, engineered wood floors aren’t as susceptible to moisture and heat. This benefit makes them suitable for use anywhere in your home, including basements and sub-floors.

The contraction and expansion activity of a solid wood plank will depend on the floor’s grain pattern and average moisture average equilibrium moisture contents of a said region. Solid planks are best in areas of the home that aren’t frequently exposed to moisture. If you choose to place authentic hardwood in the kitchen or bathroom, be sure to cover it with rugs to protect it from spills. On the other hand, engineered hardwood can be laid throughout your home without fear of warping or rotting.

Both solid and engineered wood flooring will make your home look and feel beautiful.

If you intend to install your new floor in a basement, do not pick a solid wood floor!

Instead, consider installing engineered planks in the basement and solid hardwood throughout the rest of your home.