What is the difference between solid vs engineered hardwood flooring? And which is the best option to go with?

Solid Hardwood Flooring

Solid hardwood flooring is solid wood through and through – nothing but natural quality hardwood straight from nature. For installation purposes this can come pre-finished or be finished on site during installation.
The benefit of prefinished hardwood flooring is that you don’t have the mess and smell associated with finishing on site. It also means that installation is quicker.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring is made up of engineered wood at its core with a veneer of hardwood on the surface. The core is made of an engineered wood such as plywood or HDF. A top layer of natural hardwood is applied to create that solid hardwood look.

Which is the Best Option to Go With?

The answer to that question will depend on your individual needs. There are certain benefits to both which are outlined below.
Engineered:
Engineered hardwood is the cheaper option and generally easier to install. It is also less prone to warping that can occur in environments that have high changes in humidity and temperature – a great option for kitchens.
However, it’s important to choose the right product. Some engineered hardwood has a very thin veneer of solid wood which can lead to a number of problems.
Firstly this can lead to easier warping or fading of the veneer than what you would get with a thicker veneer or solid hardwood. Secondly, it limits the scope for sanding and refinishing – things which can drastically extend the life of the floor.
Solid:
It will last and last and last. It can last generations. Though the initial cost is larger, solid hardwood may be more affordable over the long term. It can be brought back to its original condition time and time again and will last 100 years or more if maintained properly.
If used in parts of the house with high temperature or humidity changes it can be prone to warping. This means it is not the best option for bathrooms or kitchens or climates with these characteristics.

Solid or Engineered?

Both have their benefits depending on what you want out of them. Whichever you choose LLB Flooring has you covered with high quality, excellent service at the lowest prices. Contact us today if you would like to discuss which might be the best for your particular project or to arrange a quote.

There is nothing more alluring and elegant in the flooring world than the look and feel of genuine hardwood flooring. Though more expensive than laminate flooring or tiles, if you are looking for the genuine article then hardwood is the way to go.

What are the Different Types of Hardwood Flooring?

Hardwood flooring comes in two different types – Solid hardwood & Engineered hardwood. Solid hardword can also be broken down into traditional solid hardwood and prefinished hardwood.
Traditional solid hardwood: Like the name suggests this is the traditional way of doing hardwood flooring. All natural hardwood through the whole thickness of the floor (as opposed to engineered hardwood – see below. Finishing takes place on site – which has the downside of the mess, smells and time taken to install.
Prefinished Hardwood Flooring: Like traditional solid hardwood, the prefinished variety is solid hardwood through and through. However, as the name suggests the wood is prefinished off site. The main advantages to this is that you don’t get the mess and smells associated with onsite finishing plus the installation on site is much quicker.
A lot of prefinished hardwood has also been UV treated to protect against fading caused by the sun.
Engineered Hardwood: Engineered hardwood flooring is made up of a couple of layers. The core layer is engineered wood such as plywood or HDF and has a top layer of natural hardwood. This gives you the beauty and elegance of the natural wood but has the advantage of being more stable, particularly in environments where the heat and moisture levels can change a lot. This can save money on restoration costs as engineered hardwood won’t contract and expand like solid hardwood can.

What are the Benefits of Hardwood Flooring?

Apart from the already mentioned look and feel, hardwood floors are the healthier choice over carpet, particularly for those with dust and dander allergies. Dust and dander can be trapped in carpet and released into the air causing those with allergies to be affected. This is not an issue with hardwood floors as there is nowhere for this dust and dander to get trapped.
The hardwood that is best for you will depend on your circumstances and budget. There are different benefits for each type of hardwood.

Hardwood Flooring Installation

Our experienced professional installers take great pride in their work when installing hardwood floors. Contact us today to discuss your options in more detail or to get a quote.