Difference Between Solid Wood Floors and Engineered

Solid wood floorboards are cut from single pieces of timber, so they’re incredibly straightforward in terms of construction. Engineered floorboards, as the name suggests, are made from several layers of wood pressed together. The top layer is a veneer of solid wood, and this is why it looks just like regular solid wood flooring, however, beneath the surface, the core can be made up of different types of wood.

 

What about durability, which is stronger? 

Solid hardwood is of course renowned for its durability because it is entirely solid, cut from one piece of timber. What’s more it can be sanded and refinished multiple times during its lifetime and it is suitable for high footfall traffic areas. That said, engineered wood can be sanded down and refinished several times throughout its life too, whilst you don’t have to worry about moisture, humidity or temperature as the layered construction provides stability against environmental changes. There’s no doubt that both of these options are designed to withstand the demands of modern living without compromising on style, and both will give you a unique character that will look beautiful in your home.

 

Can you utilise both types in your home?

Absolutely. With each having its own advantages and disadvantages, certain rooms or areas of the house are better suited for solid oak flooring, whilst other areas may call for engineered wood floors. A hallway is often seen as a high wear and tear area, so solid wood flooring can be ideally suited because of its longevity, whilst bathrooms and kitchens are more suited to engineered flooring because solid wood could expand in these wet and moisture rich areas. For the same reasons (temperature fluctuations) it’s advised that you opt for engineered flooring if you desire under-floor heating. Solid wood can be damaged instantly due to the warm temperature change.

 

How do they sound underfoot?

This is a question we get asked quite a lot, and generally speaking solid hardwood sounds and feels particularly solid when you walk on it, whilst engineered floors can at times sound more hollow, however, that can be addressed during the installation and our engineered flooring is certainly thick enough to look, feel, and sound like real hardwood. 

There are so many different reasons why you might choose one type over the other, but if you buy from UK Sleepers, whatever type you decide on, you’ll be guaranteed exceptional character, durability and style. If you’d like to learn more about these two types of flooring, please do not hesitate to call us on 01536 267 107 and we’ll happily go into further detail. Alternatively, we have lots of different grades for you to browse on our website, whilst orders can be placed online in just a few clicks.

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