When it comes to choosing a wood floor or the furniture for your home, you have many questions to ask. What type of wood material should I use? Do I want a smooth or distressed floor? What colour do I like?
Most importantly, what type of flooring - solid wood or engineered wood? What are the pros and cons of each? If you are wondering with such questions in your mind, we are here to bring you useful information, so that you can make a smart buying decision.
Definitions of Solid Wood and Engineered Wood
Solid Wood: It means each board is made from one solid piece of wood usually 5 inches wider and 3/4" thick. It is a natural product obtained by cutting down trees.
The two main varieties of solid wood include softwood such as pine, white cedar and rubberwood; and hardwood such as oak, teak, maple and rosewood.
Engineered Wood: It is a composite material formed by binding strands, particles, fibres, veneers or thin wood boards together with adhesives. Like solid wood planks, engineered wood planks usually comes in 5 inches wider, with a thickness sizes of 5/16", 3/8", 1/4" and 3/4".
The most common forms of engineered wood available in the market are Plywood, HDF (high-density fibreboard), MDF (medium-density fibreboard), veneered boards and particleboards.
Solid Wood Flooring vs. Engineered Wood Flooring
Solid wood flooring is excellent and well-known for its reputation, durability and longevity. This flooring requires special skills to install and can be sanded down and refinished numerous times over its life. Due to increased awareness of sustainability and the need to reduce deforestation, solid wood flooring is now very much in drop.
In Engineered wood flooring, each flooring board is made up of multiple flooring boards, to obtain the desired thickness and wear layer. For making engineered wood, fastest-growing hardwoods such as birch, eucalyptus are preferred up to 75%, which makes it a more environmentally friendly product.
Let's take a look at what are the differences between them.
Solid Wood Flooring
- It is classic and beautiful
- Highly durable and lasts up to 40 to 100 years.
- Easily affected by temperature, humidity and moisture or damp conditions.
- It is installed with a tongue and groove system and only over selected subfloors.
- Price is high as it is real wood from trees.
- Hardness depends on very soft to hard natural woods.
- Available in more varieties and colours.
- Not environmentally sustainable, as trees need to cut to get solid wood.
Engineering Wood Flooring
- There is no compromise in appearance, the same charm as solid wood.
- Not as durable as solid wood and lasts up to 20 to 40 years.
- Resistant to temperature changes and does not warp or change dimensions when exposed to moisture.
- Click-lock or glue-down forms of engineered wood are effortless to work and can be installed on many subfloor types.
- Affordable and slightly less expensive than solid wood.
- Particleboard is soft and not very durable, while HDF is hard and dense; MDF is medium-hard and is durable.
- Available in limited varieties compared to solid wood.
- Eco-friendly as it is created using wood products and derivatives. But, some of the chemicals used for binding purposes could be harmful.
Final Verdict
People may go for solid wood flooring or engineered wood flooring based on aesthetics. But the most important factor in deciding between solid wood or engineered wood is the type of place you live in, climatic conditions, your budget, and the condition of your subfloor. Both types of flooring are attractive, durable, and both are wood has its pros and cons. The choice always depends on you and your home needs.
Also, Read: Various Types of Market Forms of Timber
FAQs
Engineered wood planks, while more affordable than solid hardwood, contain synthetic materials along with natural ones. This can make end-of-life disposal a bit more complicated compared to solid hardwood. Solid hardwood planks, on the other hand, are simpler to recycle or re-utilize once their lifespan is up.
What is better engineered wood or solid wood? ›
Like solid, those products that have a Lifetime Finish will withstand scratches the best. If moisture, humidity or temperature are a concern—like in basem*nt installations—you'll definitely want to choose engineered hardwood flooring over solid hardwood.
Should I do hardwood or engineered hardwood? ›
The exposure of hardwood flooring to moisture and humidity can result in warping, buckling, and other deterioration. Engineered wood flooring is more moisture-resistant which could make it a better option for your home's spaces that are more prone to humidity, for example, a basem*nt area.
Which is better engineered wood or solid wood bed? ›
Purchasing solid wood is the right choice if you want durability in your product. So that, it can last generations. Solid wood is a natural material that is made of solid wood planks. However, unlike solid wood, engineered wood is largely used as it somewhat looks like solid wood.
Is engineered wood worth buying? ›
Yes, engineered wood can be of good quality if it is made with high-quality materials and manufactured according to industry standards. In fact, some engineered wood products are more durable and resistant to warping, cracking, and splitting than solid wood.
What are the disadvantages of engineered wood furniture? ›
Problems with Engineered Wood
The problem with these types of wood is that they are much easier to damage. Scratches and water stains cannot be repaired. There is an added risk of cracking and warping occurring within modern centrally heated homes as engineered wood does not expand and contract like natural wood does.
Is solid wood better than engineered furniture? ›
Generally speaking, engineered wood takes the cake with this one. All types of engineered wood furniture offer some or the other type of resistance to moisture, water, pests, extreme heat, and so on. But several solid wood species offer natural deterrence to water, moisture and are ideal for rugged, commercial use.
Does engineered hardwood increase home value? ›
Because it looks so similar to solid hardwood floors and costs less, engineered hardwood floors do tend to have a high ROI. Sources: National Association of REALTORS® (2022).
Do engineered wood floors scratch easily? ›
Because engineered wood floors are made with a veneer of hardwood, they are no more or less susceptible to scratches than a solid hardwood floor. Engineered floors with a veneer of harder woods like Hickory or Maple will scratch less easily than engineered floors made of softer woods like Cherry or Walnut.
Which wood is best for flooring? ›
White Oak Plank Flooring
White oak is one of the more durable domestic hardwoods available. On the Janka scale, white oak is rated at 1360, behind only hickory and maple. But durability is more than just hardness. White oak accepts finishes and stains quite well, which further protect it.
Cons of Engineered Wood:
- Constant exposure to sunlight can warp certain material finishes.
- You'll find it hard to repair and you might also need to replace it instead.
- You'll also need to take care to avoid any damages to the furniture.
- Low-density engineered wood like particle board can break easily.
It's Affordable and Sustainable
This means you can buy any wood species at relatively low cost. It also means engineered hardwood consists of less solid timber, which helps conserve natural resources and makes it a more sustainable flooring option. It also doesn't need as much maintenance as solid wood.
Why buy solid wood furniture? ›
Furniture made from solid wood is very durable and made for everyday use in your home. With proper care, it will age beautifully and last for decades. Because of its enduring quality, solid wood furniture often becomes heirloom pieces as its passed down through generations.
Is solid wood furniture worth it? ›
Solid wood furniture will give you the design, functionality, and durability to stay in your family for generations. When choosing the type of furniture to put in your home, there are plenty of options. This is why doing your research before buying is essential.
Which wood is best for bed? ›
Durable hardwoods like maple, cherry, mahogany, oak and walnut are generally considered the best types of wood for a bed frame.
Which wood is best for furniture? ›
Best Wood for Furniture in India – Explore the Finest Options
- Teak Wood: A Timeless Choice. ...
- Sal Wood: Strength and Durability. ...
- Indian Rosewood: Elegance and Endurance. ...
- Cedar or Marandi Wood: Natural Beauty and Resilience. ...
- Mahogany Wood: Elegance and Luxury. ...
- Jackwood: Harnessing Nature's Bounty.
Oak is by far the most popular type of wood flooring because it provides a good balance of durability, color range and reasonable costs. It comes in both red and white oak variations and can be used in high-traffic areas as the wood grain hides scratches well.
How long does engineered wood last? ›
Engineered wood flooring consists of plywood, HDF, or softwood, combined with a layer of hardwood. The durable nature of engineered wood means that it should last for at least 25 to 30 years before needing replaced.
