When it comes to choosing the perfect floor for your home, few of our alternatives even touch the timeless charm and everlasting endurance of hardwood. But before diving into the grand sea of wood, there’s one important decision you need to make: solid hardwood floor or engineered hardwood? Having been Edmonton’s top flooring company, we at World Floor Coverings are here to help you make an informed choice.
What is Solid Hardwood Flooring?
Solid hardwood flooring is exactly what it says — planks made from a single, solid piece of wood, typically 3/4″ thick. Top-of-the-line favourites are maple, walnut, and the very popular oak flooring. Solid hardwood flooring is preferred for its genuine character, natural grain patterns, and the ability to be sanded and refinished dozens of times.
Benefits of Solid Hardwood:
Very long lifespan: Solid hardwood can survive more than 50 years with proper care.
May be refinished multiple times: Ideal for long-term equity.
Natural beauty: Rich, organic grain patterns that never dull.
Solid Hardwood Disadvantages:
Moisture and temperature sensitive: Edmonton’s unpredictable climate makes solid wood shrink and expand.
Installation limitations: To be nailed or stapled into a wood subfloor, limiting installation to above-grade applications.
Higher cost factor: Typically more expensive than engineered options.
What is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
An engineered hardwood floor is made by laminating multiple layers of plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF) with a top veneer of real hardwood. The multi-layer construction gives engineered hardwood greater stability, and it can be used in damp areas like kitchens and basements.
Benefits of Engineered Hardwood:
Stable in wet conditions: Ideal for Edmonton’s temperature fluctuations.
Flexible installation: Can be glued, nailed, or floated over many types of subfloors, even concrete.
Affordable: Often less expensive than solid hardwood.
**Multiple finishes and hardwood floor hues to choose from: Much more variety to match your decor.**
Disadvantages of Engineered Hardwood:
Somewhat restricted refinishing: Depending on the top layer’s thickness, it may only need to be sanded one or two times.
Shorter lifespan can be anticipated: Generally lasts 20–40 years, depending on quality and maintenance.
Side-by-side comparison of durability and maintenance
Both are long-lasting, but the choice depends on the room. Solid hardwood works well in living rooms and bedrooms where there is not excessive moisture. For high-traffic or damp areas, engineered hardwood floors are a better choice.
Both require the same maintenance: regular sweeping, occasional mopping with a damp (not wet) mop, and use of protective pads on furniture.
Hardwood Flooring Color and Style Options
Each style offers numerous colors, textures, and finishes. From the warm tones of oak flooring to the sleek, contemporary look of gray or whitewashed boards, you have lots of hardwood flooring color options. Engineered hardwood will typically offer more contemporary finishes, whereas solid hardwood is traditional.
Installation Considerations
Solid hardwood has to be installed in above-grade level spaces with a wood subfloor. It’s not suitable for basements or over radiant heat.
Engineered hardwood flooring is installable in almost any room, including below grade and over radiant heat. It can also be a do-it-yourself product for handy homeowners.
Cost Comparison
In general, engineered hardwood is cheaper, both in material and installation cost. Solid hardwood will, however, be more costly in the long run due to it being durable and refinishable a number of times.
If it’s a choice between cost vs. value, then engineered could be for short- to medium-term plans, whereas solid is ideal for forever homes.
What About Tile?
Although hardwood is a classic option, others like flooring tiles with a wood-like finish to better endure moisture, especially in bathrooms or entryways. Tile flooring offers many designs and can look great paired with hardwood for a cohesive, durable design.
Which Flooring Is Best for Your Edmonton Home?
The final choice is in your lifestyle, budget, and the area of the home where the floors are being laid. If you want real character and will be in your home for decades, solid hardwood can be the best investment. If you require flexibility, moisture resistance, and a range of finish options, engineered hardwood flooring is a smart, stylish option.
Trust One of Edmonton’s Top Flooring Companys
At World Floor Coverings, we specialize in residential floor coverings and focus on the needs of Edmonton homeowners. Whether it’s a living room renovation to a basement finishing or even a new home build, our specialists are at your service to guide you through the process step by step.
Visit our showroom or call us today to see our entire selection of engineered hardwood floors, oak flooring, and floor tiles. We’ll help you find the perfect floor for your home.