Engineered wood flooring was once regarded as a pale imitation of solid hardwood but improvements in the product quality have eliminated this perception.
What is better engineered hardwood or solid.
Engineered hardwood manufactured with multiple layers engineered hardwood is known best for being cheaper and more humidity tolerant than its solid counterpart.
And unlike laminate or vinyl plank alternatives no two pieces are ever.
When searching for attractive durable one of a kind wood flooring to increase the value of your home there are two great products to consider.
Unlike engineered floors which are floated over a sublayer and require no nailing or glue hardwood floors are attached to a subfloor usually plywood or furring strips over a vapor barrier.
And because the layers are perpendicular to each other there is usually less expansion and contraction so it allows for a tighter fit especially during the winter when it s more dry.
Because of its layers it s often stronger than solid hardwood.
How long it will last.
The planks are nailed to the subfloor through the tongue so the nails don t show when the floor is completed.
Solid hardwood floors vs.
Engineered hardwood flooring is also more environmentally friendly than solid hardwood floors because the sub surface layers are made from junk or scrap wood that would traditionally have been unusable not the ornamental wood.
Like solid hardwood engineered hardwood comes in a variety of sizes thicknesses and varieties.
Engineered hardwood is usually less expensive until you get into premium collections which are more comparable to solid hardwood.
These may offer better durability have a thicker top layer that allows for more sanding and refinishing or have unique designs.
Engineered hardwood provides an advantage over solid hardwood because of the ability to install in multiple areas of the home.
Like epic plus engineered hardwood shaw engineered can be installed above on or below grade.
How do you choose.
Compared to solid hardwood engineered wood floors have superior resistance to slightly lower and higher moisture levels which makes them more ideal for use in damp basements or regions with higher or lower than standard humidity levels.
Engineered hardwood is often but not always more stable.
There s a lot to love about both of these options.