If you’re looking to add warmth and beauty to your home, nothing compares to genuine hardwood flooring. hardwood floors are both made from 100% real wood, but there are significant differences in their overall construction. Engineered wood floors behave a little differently than solid plank floors do. They tend to be easier to install and are usually less expensive than solid hardwood. However, not all wood floors are created equal. Depending on the type or species of wood the flooring is made from will determine what type of performance qualities it has. Understanding these differences will go a long way to help you choose the wood floor that’s right for your home. Solid hardwood floors are just that — they’re made from solid wood. Each board of solid hardwood flooring is made from a single piece of hardwood that’s about 3/4 of an inch thick. Because it’s so thick it can be sanded down and refinished for however long the flooring is in the house.

Engineered hardwood is a versatile and resilient flooring option that can be installed in most areas of your home. genuine wood, this flooring gives your home an updated look and feel. Engineered hardwood is made of a core of hardwood or plywood with a layer of hardwood veneer affixed to the top surface. It’s more resistant to moisture and heat compared to solid Solid hardwood expands and contracts in reaction to changes in moisture and temperature, so solid wood floors are only recommended for rooms at ground level or above. The unique construction of engineered wood creates a structure that is less likely to buckle, gap, or react to fluctuations in humidity and temperature. You can install engineered flooring on any level, including below ground. It's a great choice for finished basements and bathrooms. Both solid and engineered hardwood floors are designed for beauty and durability. Their tough surface can stand up to activeHowever, both solid and engineered hardwood flooring have different performance attributes.

Solid wood flooring is permanently nailed to the subfloor. Because of expansion and contraction issues, installers will normally leave a gap between the wall and the floor to accommodate swelling. This type of flooring should only be installed in parts of the home above grade and only over plywood, wood or oriented strand board subfloors. Engineered floors have enhanced stability, which provides slightly more resistance to everyday wear- and-tear and also toSolid hardwood floors are more prone to shrinking or expanding based on humidity levels. Engineered wood floors can be more resistant to moisture and offer a bit more stability than solid hardwood. product can tolerate water laying on it, the increased moisture levels over concrete aren't a problem for most engineeredUnlike solid hardwood, engineered hardwood can go over concrete under the right conditions. Solid hardwood flooring can be glued, nailed or stapled to a wood subfloor. These types of installations are best left to

the pros, since they can challenge even experienced DIYers. Engineered wood floors can be either nailed down or glued down, like a traditional hardwood installation. They can also be installed as "floating" floors, in which the boards attach to each other and "float" above the subfloor. Whoever installs your solid hardwood floors must have enough experience to leave the right amount of space for hardwood’sPuppies For Sale Queens Ny natural expansion and contraction. King Size Bedroom Sets With Bookcase HeadboardThe individual boards can’t be too tight or too loose. Black Light Bulb EbayIf they’re too tight your floorIf it’s too loose the gaps between the boards will get too wide in the winter.

Solid hardwood flooring installation is perhaps the most challenging of all flooring types. However with the right tools and planning skilled DIYers can handle the job with stunning results. If you’re unsure if you’re up to the task, review our DIY skill assessment, so you know what to expect. Engineered hardwood flooring is an easier and faster DIY installation. Armstrong engineered hardwood flooring comes with aThis simple two-step process eliminates the need for messy glue or nails. Both engineered and solid hardwood flooring can be refinished. Solid hardwood can be refinished up to 10 times depending onEngineered boards requires less refinishing over its lifetime – typically only one or two times. Refinishing your hardwood floors can be a DIY project, but it requires some skill and a bit of patience. can range between $200-$300 dollars. If you’re not completely confident in your skill level, you may want to consider hiring The cost of solid vs. engineered hardwood is typically dependent on the quality and species of the wood.

hardwood, such as maple, may be more expensive than engineered flooring. For more common hardwoods, solid wood flooring may be cheaper overall, although it will take longer to install. The layers in the buildup underneath the top layer of engineered hardwood also play a role in the final price. anywhere between three and 12 layers of plywood and unfinished white wood, depending on the thickness and quality of the finishedArmstrong's price estimator is a helpful tool to get an estimate for the cost of buying and installing a hardwoodSolid vs Engineered HardwoodHardwood FlooringFlooring How To's Solid vs engineered hardwood Shaw Solid Hardwood Flooring Diagram - Solid wood is milled from a single 3/4" thick piece of hardwood. Solid wood flooring expands and contracts with changes in your home's relative humidity. Normally, installers compensate for this movement by leaving an expansion gap between the floor and the wall. Base molding or quarter round is traditionally used to hide the extra space.

Browse Solid Hardwood Styles Shaw EPIC® Plus Engineered Hardwood Flooring Shaw EPIC Plus Engineered Hardwood Flooring - Shaw's Stabilitek core is made for high performance and lasting durability. Constructed from wood fibers bonded with proprietary chemistry, Stabilitek holds up to the challenges of climate fluctuation and sub-floor moisture. EPIC Plus Hardwood built with Stabilitek resists denting up to 30% more than 7 ply Asian imports. Browse EPIC Plus Engineered Hardwood Styles Shaw Engineered Hardwood Flooring Shaw's Engineered hardwood core is made up of multiple layers of wood stacked in a cross-grain configuration which minimizes expanding and shrinking. Like Epic Engineered hardwood, Shaw Engineered can be installed above, on, or below grade. Engineered hardwood provides an advantage over solid hardwood because of the ability to install in multiple areas of the home. Browse Engineered Hardwood Style Before deciding on Solid or Engineered hardwood flooring, consider these factors

The location of your hardwood flooring basically falls into three categories: On Grade - at ground level Above Grade - any second level or higher Below Grade - any floor below ground level, including basements or sunkenliving rooms. Traditional solid hardwood flooring is not well suited for below-grade installations, because of the possibility of moisture issues. The construction of an engineered hardwood gives it enhanced structural stability that allows it to be installed at any grade level when a moisture barrier such as Selitac Thermally Insulating Underlayment or Silent Step Ultra 3 in 1 is used during installation. What type of subfloor do you have? If you plan to install over concrete, you must use an engineered product to ensure structural integrity. Solid wood flooring or Engineered flooring may be used over plywood, existing wood floors, or OSB subfloors. Be sure to refer to Shaw's installation guidelines for specifics on subfloor requirements.

Will there be moisture in the room? If you are considering flooring for a bathroom where continuous moisture is expected, you will want to select a product other than hardwood. While the moisture resistance of an engineered hardwood makes it suitable for rooms below grade or ground level when installed with a moisture barrier, it is not advisable to install any hardwood flooring in a bathroom. Subscribe to Our Newsletter Stay up-to-date on the latest design trends, new products and special deals on the best flooring around. we won't fill your inbox (and we'll never send you spam). I accept Shaw's Terms and Conditions I accept Shaw's Privacy Policy You're now signed up to receive updates from Shaw. And whether you're looking to gather information, select a new style or care for the floors in your home, we look forward to helping you along the way. In the meantime, stay organized by creating a My Shaw account, where you can compare your flooring options, save your favorites and keep track of your orders all in one place.