Did you know hardwood floors were manually sanded by pulling scraper blades across the floor until the electric belt floor sander was invented in 1926? Thankfully, not only is it easier to sand floors nowadays, but there are also plenty of flooring types. As well as hardwood, engineered wood is one of the most popular options.
But what are the differences between engineered wood flooring vs hardwood flooring, and which one would be best for your home? You’ll likely be making a significant investment in your floor, and you’ll want to get the best results.
While both engineered wood and hardwood are superb choices, there are some key differences that could influence your decision.
Let’s take a closer look.
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Ease of Installation
One of the main benefits of engineered wood flooring is that it’s easy to install. Although you can nail or glue down an engineered wood floor, you can buy types that simply click together. It’s also possible to install engineered wood floors over underfloor heating.
In contrast, you may need a special nailer gun to install a hardwood floor, and you can’t lay it on top of pipes. If you’re keen on having one of these floor types in your home, you may want to hire a professional to carry out the installation.
Appearance
Modern engineered wood floors look appealing as they have a layer of hardwood on their surface. This can make it difficult to tell if a floor is made of hardwood or engineered wood.
While a hardwood floor always looks fantastic, there is little difference between the appearance of the two materials.
Durability
Both of these types of flooring are tough and suitable for high foot traffic areas. A hardwood floor is the most durable option, but the surface layer on top of an engineered floor ensures it’s also a long-lasting option.
It’s also possible to replace individual damaged planks for each flooring type, allowing you to keep your floor in pristine condition.
Engineered Wood Flooring vs Hardwood Flooring Cost
When considering the pros and cons of engineered wood flooring vs hardwood flooring, it’s impossible to look past the cost. There is a considerable amount of solid wood in each section of hardwood flooring, and this adds to the price.
But you can shop maple hardwood flooring and get an excellent price on engineered flooring that can last for many years.
Choose Your Favorite Flooring Type
Now that you know the difference between engineered wood flooring vs hardwood flooring, you can buy the material that best suits your needs. While a hardwood floor can look stunning, engineered wood also looks amazing and can be a lot cheaper. You may also prefer the easy installation offered by an engineered floor.
Whichever option you choose, you’re sure to get a terrific floor for your home!
Before you rush off to buy a new floor, check out more of our helpful blog articles.
