Check out some of the differences between engineered hardwood floors and traditional hardwood floors when it comes to the different significant aspects of hardwood flooring in general
The main difference between these two types of flooring is that solid wood flooring is solid hardwood, and nothing but hardwood. With engineered hardwood floors, there is a very thin layer of hardwood on top of a base of high-quality plywood.
Thickness
Solid wood flooring generally has a width of about 3/4-inch. On average, the standard width is about 2 1/4 inches wide, with the width for planks beginning at 5 inches and going all the way up to 11 inches.
On the other hand, engineered hardwood flooring can range from 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch. On average, the standard width is about 3 1/4-inch with the, with the width for planks beginning at 5 inches wide.
Finishing
When it comes to the finish, you can either have pre-finished flooring or site-finished flooring. Pre-finished flooring is when the flooring is finished at the actual factory. Site-finished flooring, also known as unfinished flooring, is when the flooring specialists finish the actual sanding and refinishing it done on-site. Engineered hardwood floors are typically pre-finished, although there are some companies that offer site-finished flooring as well. Traditional hardwood flooring can be either pre-finished or site-finished. In most cases, pre-finished is the preferred option.
Installation
When it comes to the actual installation process, engineered hardwood flooring is much easier to install because of the range of installation methods you can use. For example, you can use staples, nails, glue, or fold-and-lock. Solid hardwood flooring requires nails or staples.
Moisture
In general, engineered hardwood floors are better at dealing with moisture than traditional wood floors. This is because the plywood base can warp and resist moisture more so than solid wood. In fact, solid hardwood floors are typically not recommended for bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, kitchens, and rooms that often see moisture.
Cost
Engineered hardwood is generally cheaper than traditional hardwood per square foot.
If you are considering investing in hardwood flooring for your home or property, consult with an expert in flooring manufacturing to determine the best solution for your requirements and budget. Call JC Floors Plus today at 1-855-523-7587