Solid Hardwood vs. Engineered Wood Flooring
Solid hardwood planks are 100% wood. Engineered wood flooring consists of a plywood base with a thin veneer of natural wood on top. Even though these flooring types look identical, they aren’t.
Engineered wood flooring is less expensive than solid hardwood and stands up better to humidity thanks to its plywood base. There’s a limit to the number of times you can refinish engineered hardwood floors, though, since they only have a thin strip of real wood on top.
If budget is a concern, opt for engineered hardwoods. If longevity and the ability to refinish your floor is a concern, opt for solid hardwood.
What Is Solid Hardwood Flooring?
Flooring manufacturers mill solid hardwood planks from a single piece of wood from hardwood species like oak, maple, cherry, or walnut.
Pros:
- Durable and can be refinished many times
- Available in various finishes, colors, hardness, and grain patterns
- Easy to clean
- Increases your home’s value
Cons:
- Prone to damage from water and excessive moisture
- Susceptible to scratches, scuffing, and dents
- More expensive compared to other flooring options
What Is Engineered Wood Flooring?
Unlike solid hardwood, engineered hardwood flooring has several wood layers. The veneer top layer consists of genuine hardwood. It’s finished with a coating to protect the wood from scratches, wear, and stains. Beneath the veneer are layers of high-quality plywood or fiberboard.
Pros:
- Engineered wood’s layered construction makes it resistant to temperature and humidity changes.
- Engineered wood flooring is more affordable than solid hardwood.
- The top veneer layer gives engineered wood flooring an authentic look and feel.
- Suitable for high-humidity rooms like bathrooms and basements.
Cons:
- Engineered wood’s top layer is thinner than solid hardwood. It can only be sanded and refinished a few times.
- Like solid hardwood, engineered wood flooring needs regular maintenance to keep its appearance.
- The quality of engineered wood flooring varies depending on the materials used.
Solid Hardwood vs. Engineered Wood: Key Differences
| Solid Hardwood Flooring | Engineered Wood Flooring | |
| Construction | One solid piece of hardwood milled into planks | Top veneer layer of natural hardwood and layers of plywood or fiberboard underneath |
| Stability | Susceptible to expansion and contraction | Stable due to layered construction |
| Durability | Very durable, can last for 30-100 years | Can last for 20-40 years, with stability advantages |
| Installation | Often requires professional installation due to the nailing or stapling process | Floating, glue-down, and staple-down |
| Refinishing | Can be sanded and refinished 4-10 times | Once or twice |
| Cost | $8 - $15 per sq. ft | $4 - $12 per sq. ft. |
| Moisture Resistance | Susceptible to moisture damage | More resistant to moisture |
Composition and Construction
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood planks are usually between 3/4” and 5/16” thick. Thicker planks allow more rounds of sanding. The length and width vary, ranging from 2.25” to 8” wide and 12” to 84” long.
Flooring manufacturers mill each plank with a tongue (a protruding edge) on one side and a groove (a slot) on the opposite side. The planks interlock during installation, providing stability and a finished look.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood has a top veneer layer. The core has layers of plywood, high-density fiberboard (HDF), or other composite materials.
Veneer’s quality varies depending on color, texture, grain patterns, thickness, grading, and ability to absorb finish and stain treatments.
The quality of the plywood core depends on these factors:
- Number of layers: A higher number of layers offers more stability. Three or more layers are preferable.
- Wood species: Plywood cores from hardwood or sturdy softwood species are more durable.
- Cross-grain construction: Alternating the direction of wood grains in each layer makes it sturdy and durable.
- Plywood grade: Higher-grade plywood is more uniform and free of defects.
- Adhesive quality: High-quality adhesive that’s resistant to moisture and temperature changes makes the engineered wood durable.
Top Pick: Solid hardwood
Cost Comparison
Solid Hardwood
Prefinished hardwood costs an average of $8 to $15 per sq. ft.
Engineered Wood
The average cost of engineered wood flooring is $4 to $12 per sq. ft. Installation costs for either — hardwoods or engineered wood — is the same at an additional $3 to $10 per square foot.
Top Pick: Engineered wood
Maintenance and Care
Solid Hardwood
Hardwood floor maintenance is easy with sweeping, vacuuming, and occasional cleaning using a wood cleaner. Regular maintenance includes repairing scratches and dents, resealing, and refinishing every 3 to 5 years.
Engineered Wood
Care involves regular cleaning by sweeping, vacuuming, and damp-mopping with a wood cleaner. Engineered wood is also susceptible to scratches. Unlike solid hardwood, it can only be refinished a few times.
Top Pick: Tie
Aesthetics and Appearance
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood has an authentic and timeless appeal. Every plank has a unique variation of color and grain. The color spectrum ranges from light to dark, and the grain patterns can be subtle or bold.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood replicates the visual authenticity of solid wood. It has a layer of natural wood veneer on top, so it looks identical to hardwoods.
Top Pick: Either
Longevity
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood, with its thick single-piece construction, lasts for generations. It can be sanded and refinished up to 10 times.
Engineered Wood
While still durable, engineered wood has a shorter lifespan. The veneer top layer can only be sanded and refinished a few times. Regardless, its layered construction and resistance to humidity make it stable.
Top Pick: Solid hardwood
Environmental Considerations
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood is a natural and renewable resource. It lasts for generations, reducing the need for replacement. Irresponsible harvesting of solid hardwood leads to deforestation and habitat disruption. More trees are harvested compared to engineered wood.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood uses wood scraps to make boards. The veneer layer reduces the amount of high-quality hardwood needed.
Adhesives and composite materials emit volatile organic compounds. Also, engineered wood has a shorter lifespan and is not biodegradable.
Top Pick: Tie
Value Addition
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood has long-term value due to timeless authenticity and potential for refinishing for generations.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood has a slightly lower upfront cost. It still offers significant value due to its stability, versatility, and visual appeal.
Top Pick: Solid hardwood
Weather Resistance
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood is sensitive to moisture. It has a high risk of warping, cupping, and wood rot when exposed to moisture and temperature variations.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood’s layered construction makes it stable. The plywood base makes it less likely to warp due to excess humidity, but it’s not waterproof.
Top Pick: Engineered wood