Engineered Wood vs. Hardwood

There is no denying the appeal, and the aesthetic, of hardwood. It’s classic, it’s warm, it’s gorgeous. It’s also temperamental and more than little high maintenance. In some settings, wood is the clear choice, and it will serve you well. In others, engineered wood flooring is a better option for a variety of reasons. If this sounds like a vague answer, let’s dig into specifics.

Hardwood is a solid piece of wood with no layers, and it is laid in planks. Engineered wood, on the other hand, contains layers of hardwood and plywood. While some purists believe nothing compares with hardwood, high quality engineered wood flooring delivers a number of benefits:

It is durable, even under heavy foot traffic.
Engineered wood does not warp and bow the way hardwood does. This makes it a vastly more advantageous choice in areas that might have more moisture exposure.
Hardwood expands and contracts at different temperatures, and this can lead to buckling, bowing, cracking, and warping. The layers of engineered wood are positioned in different directions, so they are much less vulnerable to variations in temperature.
Overtime, hardwood floors can dull or show scratches and scuffs. You will need to have them sanded and refinished multiple times throughout their life, particularly if you have a good amount of foot traffic. Engineered wood needs to be refinished just once or twice. That’s it.
You’ll also save time on your weekly to-do list. Hardwood can be temperamental, and you don’t want to leave it wet – which makes mopping a challenge! Engineered wood is much easier to clean on a regular basis.
Engineered wood flooring is more eco-conscious. For every square foot of ¾ inch solid wood floor, you can manufacture four square feet of engineered wood.
As you might guess, the cost for engineered wood is far less than hardwood, and you’ll see a particularly noticeable difference in luxury woods like Brazilian walnut or mahogany.

But… How does engineered wood flooring look? Is it a pale imitation of the real thing? No! They are available in hickory, oak, maple, and other gorgeous species, and you can choose matte, semi-gloss, and high-gloss finishes, as well as surface effects, like wire-brushed or distressed for that rustic appeal.

Engineered wood vs. hardwood: which is the winner? While it depends on your needs, project, and budget, we love the look, feel, durability, quality, and ease of engineered wood flooring. Contact East Coast Flooring to learn more about your options.