Hardwood flooring consists of sawed planks from natural hardwood timbers, like oak and maple, and is sometimes called solid wood. Hardwood flooring is more expensive than engineered hardwood a.k.a., engineered wood flooring, which is constructed from thin, glued together layers of derivative wood products, such as OSB, MDF, or plywood.
Flooring made with engineered wood can look identical to hardwood flooring, as engineered wood planks are topped with a veneer of actual hardwood. Engineered hardwood floors have the advantage of being more durable and easier to install and maintain. However, with good care, hardwood flooring can last for decades much longer than engineered wood can a fact that may offset its expense.
Appearance of Real Wood vs. “Fake” Wood
Contrary to popular belief, engineered wood is not “fake” wood. It just uses less hardwood than solid wood flooring does. Whereas hardwood flooring is made of a solid piece of wood, engineered planks employ only a veneer of real hardwood. (This sets engineered wood apart from laminate flooring, which only uses a photographic layer for its veneer, and bamboo flooring, which actually contains no hardwood.) The colors, grains, and textures of hardwood and Engineered Wood Flooring vary widely, from darker ebony and rosewood, to lighter oak and birch, and from dark stains to light stains. Furthermore, most solid hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished with a new wood stain multiple times throughout its use.
Differences between the two types of flooring are more apparent when handling the raw materials. Hardwood planks tend to be heavier and thicker as a single plank of wood. Engineered planks are made up of two or more bonded layers of derivative wood products and are usually lighter and thinner.
Both hardwood floors and engineered wood floors can look good for years, but just how long they will look good comes down to upkeep and even local climate.
Durability
Water damage is one of the biggest concerns with both solid hardwood and engineered wood floors. Although varnish and polyurethane finishes can help protect hardwood from water on its surface, humidity beneath hardwood planks is also a concern, as it can lead to gaps and buckling in the flooring. Areas prone to extreme humidity do not offer the best conditions for solid hardwood.
Engineered hardwood is a better option in humid climates, as engineered planks usually come finished with an aluminum oxide finish, which is very durable and water-resistant. Even so, engineered hardwood can only withstand so much moisture by itself. For frequently or extremely damp areas, such as a bathroom or laundry room, it may make more sense to go with a flooring option like porcelain tiles.
Choosing a hardwood (or hardwood veneer) that can withstand any high traffic areas is also wise. The strength and hardness of hardwood can be determined by a wood’s density and by the Janka hardness test, which rates hardwood species according to how easily they become worn or dented. In the case of engineered hardwood, the underlying layers of the plank’s construction also affect sturdiness. However, in general, OAK Engineered Flooring is just as strong as, if not stronger than, most solid wood flooring options.
Ultimately, engineered hardwood can be expected to last 10-30 years in normal conditions, whereas solid hardwood floors can last for generations with appropriate and ongoing care.
