Solid or Engineered - Choosing the right wooden flooring for your home

 

If you are considering installing a wooden floor in your home, it is easy to get confused about which type of wooden flooring would be most suitable. Once installed solid and engineered wood flooring look nearly identical, however, they are two very different types of flooring and each have got their own benefits. To help you out, we put together a few points to consider when choosing a solid or engineered floor.

 

 

 

As the name suggests, solid wood flooring is made of solid wood throughout. Usually made out of hardwood, like Oak or Walnut, it is durable and can be sanded and refinished multiple times. Engineered wood flooring is made out of multiple layers of wood products. The surface or wear-layer is made of hardwood which gives it a similar appearance to a solid wooden floor. The core, however, is made up of high-quality plywood which adds stability and strength to the flooring. 

 

 

 

 

• Engineered floor boards tend to be more dimensionally stable than solid ones as the substrate resists movement and keeps the wear-layer of solid wood flat

• The increased stability of the board can make them easier to lay as the boards usually fit together more easily

• Wider boards can be achieved than with solid timber as wide planks of solid timber have a tendency to ‘cup’, i.e. curl up at the edges

• Engineered flooring tends to have fewer knots, as perceived defects in the thin layer of solid timber would be rejected during manufacture

• Engineered boards can have a click system added to replace the standard tongue and groove, removing the need for glue and reducing laying time

• Sometimes regarded as kinder to the environment as less solid wood is needed

 

 

 

 

• Often cheaper than engineered as fewer processes involved during manufacture

• Usually has more character as larger defects are present, such as knots, sapwood, pith etc. creating more interesting looking boards.

• Solid wooden flooring has got a long life-expectancy and is the most luxurious and traditional type of wood flooring

• Can be sanded over and over again if damaged or if re-finishing is required

 

 

Both, solid and engineered wood flooring, offer a beautiful finish to any home and we hope we've helped you make up your mind on the best type of wood flooring is suitable for your home. Of course, we have a wide range of solid and engineered wood flooring available in store, along with all the fitting and finishing accessories you need to create a beautiful wooden floor in your home.

 

 

Check out our full ranges of flooring!

 

If you are still unsure about which type of wooden flooring is right for you, please contact us for advice.