When you decide on the timeless beauty of hardwood flooring, you'll be faced with an important choice: solid hardwood or engineered hardwood? Both are made of real wood and offer a classic look, but their construction and performance are different.
At Meyer Floor Covering, we've helped countless homeowners in Lakewood, Tacoma, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, and Steilacoom navigate this decision to find the perfect solution for their homes.
Solid Hardwood Flooring vs Engineered Hardwood Flooring: What is the Difference?
Solid Hardwood: The Timeless Classic
Solid hardwood is exactly what it sounds like—a single, solid piece of wood from top to bottom.
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Authenticity: It offers an authentic, traditional look and feel. Each plank has unique grain patterns and character marks.
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Longevity: Its greatest strength is its ability to be refinished multiple times. You can sand down and restore a solid hardwood floor to its original beauty for generations.
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Material: It can be installed on or above grade and is a great choice for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms.
However, solid hardwood can be more susceptible to changes in humidity and temperature, which can cause it to expand and contract, leading to gapping or cupping.
Engineered Hardwood: The Stable Innovator
Engineered hardwood is a layered product with a core of high-quality plywood or HDF and a top veneer of genuine hardwood.
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Superior Stability: The layered construction provides exceptional dimensional stability, making it less prone to warping or swelling from changes in moisture and temperature. This makes it an ideal choice for installation in basements, over concrete slabs, or in regions with high humidity.
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Versatility: Engineered hardwood can be installed in more places than solid hardwood, including below grade, and can be installed as a floating floor or glued down.
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Affordability: It's often more affordable than solid hardwood, allowing you to achieve a beautiful, high-end look at a more accessible price.
Making the Right Choice for Your Lakewood, WA Home
The choice between solid and engineered hardwood often comes down to your home's environment and your long-term plans.
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Choose Solid Hardwood if... you are a purist who wants the classic look and feel of a single piece of wood and plan to stay in your home for a long time, with the option to refinish the floors multiple times.
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Choose Engineered Hardwood if... you need a more stable and versatile flooring option. It's the best choice for installation in a basement or over a concrete slab and is an excellent solution for the look of real wood with greater durability against environmental changes.
See Both Options for Yourself with Meyer Floors & Blinds
The experts at Meyer Floor Covering are here to help. We offer a wide selection of both solid and engineered hardwood flooring. Stop by our showroom in Lakewood, WA, or contact us today to begin your hardwood flooring journey.
We are proud to serve Lakewood, Tacoma, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, and Steilacoom.
