Are you having trouble choosing between a solid hardwood floor and an engineered
hardwood floor? There are benefits to both flooring types, although certain
conditions do not allow for the installation of all floor types. If you prefer
the look and feel of a solid hardwood floor than you must be sure that you have
the proper conditions for a successful installation.
When you are looking
at floor types, you will notice that a solid hardwood floor is cut from a solid
piece of wood which is typically ¾” in thickness. Engineered flooring is
manufactured from layers of wood that are glued together and fused by heat.
Solid wood flooring is an excellent choice because you can sand it and refinish
it for generations without worry. With engineered flooring you may only be able
to refinish it once or twice which drastically reduces the lifetime of the
product.
When you install a solid hardwood floor you will notice that
there are cracks left between boards. The spaces between the boards are there
because of the humidity in each home. Solid wood flooring contracts and expands
depending on the humidity levels in the house. Usually a molding or baseboard
will disguise this gap. Because of this contraction and expansion, solid wood
cannot be installed below grade, and engineered hardwood flooring must be used.
