the key differences between solid, site-finished hardwood floors and engineered hardwood floors
Do you need some help from a design and hardwood floor pro? Book a virtual design consult with us here!
We will forever and always be fans of solid, site-finished hardwood floors. They are classic and add so much value to a home. However, it should be noted that engineered hardwood floors have several benefits, as well. Let’s chat about each!
one of our favorites: solid, site-finished white oak
First off, why is solid, site-finished one our favorite choices for flooring? It brings a timeless beauty to a space. It’s also an element of design that adds architectural interest to a home, as well as superior functionality. Solid, site-finished hardwood floors are still the go-to for home builders and designers, even with a myriad of other choices on the market.
the timelessness of solid, site-finished white oak adds value and beauty to a home
solid, site-finished red oak is a common material and can be stained a variety of colors
One of the reasons we love solid, site-finished hardwood floors is that they can be refinished when years of wear have left them scratched and dull. They can also be stained and finished to suit any design preference. Even red oak can take on a whole new life when it’s stained a deep rich brown (above) or light for a “white oak look”.
So, what is engineered hardwood flooring exactly? Engineered wood flooring consists of layered tiers of real wood pressed together to form a structure that has the same beauty of solid wood flooring, while allowing stability and options in installation. The real wood surface layer is available in many different wood types, designs and finishes, and is also available in many different thicknesses.
photo + design: Anissa Zajac
While engineered flooring cannot typically be refinished like solid, site-finished hardwood floors, it is generally resilient in nature. A couple of the benefits of choosing engineered floors: having the choice of wider planks and handcrafted finishes. Engineered floors are versatile, allowing them to be installed in any part of the home whether it be the basement or directly on slab. These floors can be stapled, glued, nailed, or even floated over existing subfloors. We always glue and nail flooring that is 5” wide or more for added stability.
photo + design: Amber Lewis
We always recommend ordering a few extra boxes of your engineered floor to keep in the attic or other storage space. A drawback to using engineered floors is that we never know how long a particular floor will be manufactured and available. Therefore, it’s wise to have extra in case you need to replace a part of your floors at some point due to unanticipated damage.