If you are having a hard time deciding between a solid wood flooring or engineered flooring or, you are not the only one. It is one of the most commonly misread flooring facts. This simple and concise explanation is going to put you on the right path.
Solid hardwood is exactly what it is, solid, whereas engineered hardwood is made up of a multitude of layers.
When trying to find the best hardwood option, there are different aspects to think about like climate, sub-flooring material, etc.
Differences Between Engineered Hardwood Flooring and Solid Hardwood Flooring
Both engineered and solid wood floors are, basically, hardwood floors. Widely misunderstood, the word “engineered wood” in the flooring market does not associate it with a laminate floor. Laminate is a completely different type of flooring. The basic difference between engineered and solid hardwood flooring lies beneath the surface you see on top of the planks.
Solid hardwood is constructed out of solid planks of lumber that are milled to unvarying thicknesses and widths.
Engineered hardwood is basically multiple layers of wood veneers with the stained species of choice on top with the identical protective urethane applied as with its solid counterpart. The cross-layer construction of the veneers is designed to decrease expansion via dimensional integrity.
Each solid and engineered wooden plank is fabricated with the same tongue and groove kind of assembly along the edges of the plank to allow the interlocking throughout installation.
Determining the Best Flooring Option
Your qualified flooring installer and your retail salesperson are going to be able to assist you in deciding between solid hardwood flooring or engineered hardwood flooring. Solid hardwood flooring can be installed on street level and the second level(s) of your house. Without appropriate humidity or HVAC management, solid planks are inclined to crown or cup in a high humidity setting, causing motion which could result in warping.
Engineered hardwood flooring may be installed on every level of your home, as well as your basement. Usually, it is the favored construction for high humidity setting or areas neighboring waterfronts. Engineered construction is required if you choose plank widths wider than three or four inches in this kind of geography.
Each engineered and solid hardwood is natural flooring, and some expansion and contraction is planned with seasonal variations. All hardwoods are required to be acclimated to the temperature of your home prior installation, at least one to two days, as suggested by the NWFA and indicated in manufacturer installation instructions.
When you establish if engineered or solid hardwood flooring is right for the application and specific area, you must select the proper flooring dealer to make your purchase.
After that, acquire a clear final quote for your flooring project. Meaning it should include everything from underlayment, molding, trim, bonding agents, subflooring preparation, installation and the flooring itself. Additionally, be sure to ask how long your quote is valid for, as hardwood flooring costs differ based on the accessibility of raw materials.
MK Design And Build In Phoenix, Arizona
MK Design And Build, located in Mesa, Arizona, specializes in residential construction, providing clients with state-of-the-art technology combined with cost-effective building methods. MK offers a variety of styles and designs for you to use as a starting point in your home building journey. With an extensive library of existing plans to choose from, we’ve organized them into 4 Series to facilitate the shopping experience: Classic, Vintage, Contemporary and Craftsman. Contact MK Design and Build right here!