Solid or Engineered: Which Hardwood Type is Right for You?

If you’re shopping for new hardwood floors and you’ve done your hardwood homework, you probably have noticed that hardwood flooring comes in two different varieties: engineered and solid. Solid hardwood is pretty much exactly what it sounds like – a solid plank of hardwood cut into specific board sizes. Engineered hardwood is flooring that is composed of 3 – 12 multiple ply layers that have been cross-layered, glued down, and pressed together. A layer of species-specific hardwood is then layered on top, giving the appearance of a solid board.

On the surface, solid and engineered hardwoods are very difficult to tell apart, but they do have their own individual advantages and disadvantages. Engineered hardwoods are much more versatile. They can be nailed or glued on top of all types of sub-floors, including concrete. Solid hardwood can only be nailed or stapled down to a wood sub-floor. (Don’t try to staple solid hardwood to a concrete sub-floor. It will only end badly.) Engineered hardwood floors are also less prone to expansion and contraction damages due to climate change.

If cost is a factor, consider engineered. Engineered hardwood flooring is typically less expensive because less of the solid tree goes into the board. It is also lighter and easier to transport, which can also cut down on costs. However, one additional cost factor involved in engineered flooring is the pad that is necessary to purchase for under the floor. Pads help to deaden the echo sound and also act as a moisture barrier, helping to reduce mold and mildew issues when installing over concrete.

 Another important factor to assess when purchasing engineered flooring is the thickness of the top ware layer. Some engineered product cannot be sanded and refinished if the ware layer is less than 2mm. If the engineered floor you are looking at is 2mm or over, than the floor can be sanded and refinished a couple of times. Technology in engineered flooring has come a long way in the past few years, and high-end engineered product typically have a ware layer of an 1/8”. This is essentially the same thickness of a solid hardwood floor has above the tongue and groove. These high end engineered products have a life span that will outlast most of us – they can be sanded and finished the same amount of times as a solid floor.

If there are no budget concerns, and you are installing above grade on a ply sub floor, solid hardwood floors might be the better option. Solid hardwood does not need a pad and you will have no issues with the echoing sound typical with engineered material. Solid floor also typically has a longer life span with sanding and refinishing compared to “standard” engineered materials. Solid flooring also adds more resale value to your home.

As you can see, engineered and solid hardwoods both have their advantages and disadvantages. Cost, ease of installation, and longevity are just a few things to consider when deciding between the two. Still unsure as to which hardwood style is right for you? Give us a call at 1-888-448-9663 today, or shoot us an email at customer.service@incrediblewow.com. We can’t wait to help you pick the perfect floor!

Is DIY Hardwood Flooring Installation a Good Idea?

Installing hardwood flooring yourself can be a very satisfying, money-saving venture. But if done wrong, it can also be a nightmare and end up costing you more than you ever would have paid a professional. Many people think of attempting a DIY flooring installation project without considering the pros and cons of the project. What are the risks of installing hardwood floors yourself? What are the benefits? If you are thinking about starting such a project you should definitely consider the following arguments for and against it:

Pros
Here are a few of the main reasons you might want to install your new hardwood flooring yourself:

Cost
Hiring a contractor to install your new hardwood floors can end up costing you a pretty penny, especially if you have a lot of space to cover. If you have the know-how and the time, installing floors yourself can save you a lot of money in contractor fees.

Time
When you choose to install hardwood flooring yourself you get to decide how much work will go into the project every day. Most contractors will work a respectable eight-hour day, but if you want your floors installed quickly that might not be enough time. If you do the installation yourself you can work all day and all night if you like, which can help get the project done faster.

Convenience
Let's face it - no matter how polite they are, having a group of contractors in your house all day can be pretty annoying. When you install hardwood floors yourself you don't have to worry about a crew coming in and disrupting your day-to-day.

Cons
As it turns out, the cons of DIY hardwood flooring installation are the same as the pros, but for different reasons. Here are a few of the main reasons you would want to call a professional to handle your installation:

Cost
While a successful DIY installation can save you a lot of money, a failed attempt can end up costing you a lot more. If you can't finish your installation, or you do it incorrectly, you will have not only have to pay a contractor for a new install job, but also to fix any mistakes you made. Also, if you make a mistake in the DIY installation you might be setting yourself up for a costly repair or replacement project in the not-too-distant future.

Time
Just like cost, a botched DIY installation job can take a lot more time than a professional install. If you don't have a lot of experience with installing floors you may find yourself working on the project much longer than you had anticipated.

Convenience
DIY projects can be just as inconvenient to the busy or inexperienced homeowner as hiring a contractor. In fact, finding time in your busy work and social life can be sometimes much harder than just paying a professional to do the work while you're at work or out running errands.

Do you have any experience with DIY flooring installation projects? Was it a good or bad experience? Leave us a comment and tell us your story!