Engineered Wood vs Hardwood Floors

What are the differences between solid hardwood floors and engineered wood floors?

Composition

• Hardwood: Solid wood
• Engineered: 1/16 to 3/8 inch wood on tip with a base of high quality plywood

Thickness

• Hardwood: 3/4 inch
• Engineered: 3/8 inch to 5/8 inch

Width

• Solid : Usually 2.25 inches to 5 inches but can be up to 11 inches
• Engineered: Usually 2.25 inches to 11 inches

Wood Species

• Solid : Usually only the popular species of wood
• Engineered: Hundreds of different wood species to choose from

Pre-Finished?

• Solid: Sometimes.
• Engineered: Nearly always!

Can be sanded?

• Solid: Numerous times!
• Engineered: One to three times depending on quality

Ease of Installation

• Hardwood: Mostly nail down
• Engineered: Nail down, “quick click” or glue down

Resale Value and Overall Durability

• Solid: Excellent
• Engineered: Excellent

Moisture Resistant

• Hardwood: Poor. Ok for spills but wont hold up to excessive water
• Engineered: Poor. Ok for spills but wont hold up to excessive water

Hardness

• Solids: The entire range from soft to hard
• Engineered: The entire range from soft to hard

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