Hardwood Flooring

Solid vs Engineered Hardwood

At Johnson Floor & Home Carpet One Floor & Home we carry all of your favorite hardwood flooring brands in our nine area showrooms. With so many options to consider, choosing a hardwood floor is no simple fete, but we’re always here to help you arrive at an educated decision. Understanding the fundamental differences between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood is an important part of your research and selection process. While these two flooring families may strongly resemble each other, they function quite differently in certain settings and situations.

Benefits of Engineered Hardwood

A more modern contender to the flooring field, engineered hardwood flooring is made to handle situations that its solid counterpart can’t always handle. Engineered hardwood is made using wooden veneers and plywood. Manufactured in durable layers, engineered hardwood planks are formed into cross-grained patterns, which are inherently resilient. Engineered hardwood doesn’t shrink or expand from moisture and humidity, so it can handle things that solid hardwood cannot: things such as heavy furniture and constant foot traffic. An affordable and sturdy alternative hardwood, engineered flooring can even be sanded, refinished, or installed below grade.

Solid Hardwood Flooring

Solid hardwood is the original form of hardwood flooring. Planks are created using one solid piece of wood, with an end result that’s considered a very high-status floor by many. Because of that, solid hardwood is highly coveted and adds instant value to your property. It can last for decades if properly installed and cared for. However, there are some important factors to consider. Solid hardwood cannot handle heavy moisture or humidity, which causes it to warp and buckle. It shouldn’t be installed below grade, or in bathrooms for this reason.  On the flip side, solid hardwood flooring has infinite potential, since it can be sanded and refinished repeatedly over the years.