If you are shopping for new flooring, it is essential for you to understand the difference between real wood and engineered wood flooring.
If you are shopping for new flooring,
it is essential for you to understand the difference between real wood and engineered wood flooring.
Engineered Wood Flooring
This style flooring is created by attaching a hardwood layer to a base of softwood. This means that engineered flooring is not created from pure hardwood. However, this can be advantageous, as the softwood base can enhance the stability and moisture resistance of the floor. The hardwood layer is manufactured from several strips of wood – typically between one and three strips.
Usually it is laid down as a floating floor. The boards do not need to be nailed or glued to a base. They typically come with tongue-and-grove edges capable of being fitted together in a similar manner to puzzle pieces. The latest engineered flooring simply slots together and does not require the use of glue.
Engineered flooring comes pre-finished. However, it is able to be sanded down in the event that scratches develop, yet in comparison to solid wooden flooring, it can not withstand frequent sanding in the same way.
Choice however is abundant, it is available in a range of different types. Some types of engineered flooring feature a high-density base with a thin wooden veneer. This type of flooring is cheaper than other types of engineered flooring.
Engineered wood floorboards are not as susceptible to expansion and contraction as solid wood floorboards. This is because of the engineered wood floor board’s plywood base.
It can also be adapatle in positive ways, as it can be installed in areas in which solid wood is not compatible as a consequence of high moisture levels. This is because engineered floorboards are more dimensionally stable. Engineered flooring is therefore ideal for rooms in which continuous moisture is expected, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Real Wood Flooring
Real wood floorboards are available in a range of lengths and feature tongue-and-groove edges that can either be glued or nailed. These boards therefore fit together in a similar way to engineered wooden boards. In the past, real wood floorboards came with straight edges that had to be edged up closely together and glued to a sub-floor.
Oftentimes, two to three strips of solid wood planks are joined together and laminated to form solid, single-strip real wood floorboards. These planks are easily mistaken for engineered boards. However, they are heavier than engineered flooring, rendering them more difficult to glue or nail.
Real flooring often comes unfinished. This means that you will have to varnish, wax or oil the boards yourself. Due to its thickness, solid wood flooring is able to withstand sanding and refinishing over several generations of use. Pre-finished wood can be purchased but is more expensive.
These type of floorboards are more susceptible to expansion and contraction in comparison to engineered wood floorboards. This means that you must leave a small amount of room at the edges to allow for the expansion of the wood.
Wooden Flooring can only really be installed in moisture-controlled environments. It is therefore unsuitable for use in bathrooms and kitchens.
