Should I Choose Solid or Engineered Hardwood?

The natural stunning beauty of hardwood flooring makes it one of the most universally loved design elements among all homeowners, builders, and interior designers. With a wide range of striking textures, graining, shades, and distinct markings, finished wood floors can be as subtle or dramatic as desired, but all are exceptionally attractive. At Hamernick’s, we carry solid hardwood and engineered hardwood options that will elevate your favorite rooms with undeniable presence and luxury. Which attractive version will suit your home the best? Here are a few valuable considerations that can help you make the finest investment.

Cost

Simply put, genuine wood floors will come at a higher price point than engineered wood. However, solid hardwood floors also retain value and improve home resale value better than any other flooring option. Solid wood also allows you to re-sand and refinish your floors over time and better preserve your pristine investment. If you need to make additional renovations before listing a home on the market, engineered wood can allow you to preserve more of your design budget while still presenting a gorgeous property with wood floors. Engineered wood styles can also make pricier domestic and exotic species more affordable for your budget!

Durability

When you install either solid or engineered hardwood, you are investing in an extremely durable surface that can handle activity and foot traffic with ease. Although the hardness factor can vary among different wood species, you can select an option that hits your household lifestyle best. Softer hardwood species can be more susceptible to scratches from claws and dings from cleats. Refinishing your hardwood floors with high-grade polyurethane over time will help your floors resist scratches even better! An engineered wood floor maintains durability from a multi-layered construction and can feature an aluminum oxide top layer for supreme scratch resistance. For an active home, engineered wood floors can help relieve stress from unpredictable moments and accidents. Over time, though, an engineered floor will need to be replaced since the top layer cannot be refinished multiple times. Sometimes, engineered hardwood can’t be refinished at all!

Moisture Resistance

Since engineered hardwood options can be designed to provide greater water resistance than solid hardwood, they are more suitable for areas where solid wood can’t go! Although you will need to first confirm with the manufacturer’s guidelines, engineered wood products with enhanced water resistance may be able to go in your kitchen, bathrooms, and even a basement or mudroom. Solid wood floors will be susceptible to expanding and contracting based on humidity levels, and with prolonged exposure to water can experience damage in the form of cracking, warping, and even discoloration. Make sure that you choose a wood option that is suitable for the moisture level that the area will experience.

Maintenance

Do you want to be able to wet mop your hardwood? Many engineered wood floors allow you to wet mop and allow you to have peace of mind when it comes to spills! Caring for a solid wood floor is also relatively low-maintenance, with regular sweeping, dust-mopping, and spot treatment when necessary. However, with solid floors, it’s more prudent to clean spills as soon as they occur to prevent water damage! The wood species you choose can go a long way when it comes to keeping your solid wood floors looking new: species with high graining will help camouflage imperfections and light-colored hardwood species with matte or satin finishes hide scratches better.

Whichever wood flooring type you want to invest in, we have the styles that you will cherish for years. Visit Hamernick’s or see our hardwood inspiration gallery for more inspiration. We’re ready to elevate your beautiful home!