What is Engineered Hardwood?
One of the best ways to add style and value to your home is with hard surface flooring. When choosing hardwood, homeowners typically decide between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood. While both are made from 100% real wood, the key difference lies in how they’re constructed.
Solid hardwood is milled from a single piece of wood. Engineered hardwood, on the other hand, is made from multiple layers of plywood topped with a real wood veneer and balanced by a wood backing layer. Once considered a secondary option, engineered hardwood has evolved through modern manufacturing and is now one of the most popular and practical hardwood flooring choices available.
Moisture Resistance
Solid hardwood naturally reacts to changes in humidity, expanding in warmer months and shrinking in colder ones. It’s also vulnerable to water damage, making it a poor choice for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens.
Engineered hardwood is constructed from layered materials bonded under heat and pressure, giving it superior dimensional stability. As a result, it resists shrinking, swelling, and warping far better than solid hardwood. With proper moisture barriers and conditions, engineered hardwood can be installed in areas where solid wood simply can’t.
Installation Flexibility
Solid hardwood typically must be nailed or stapled to a plywood subfloor, which limits where it can be installed. It cannot be floated and is rarely installed over concrete.
Engineered hardwood offers far more versatility. It can be:
- Nailed or stapled
- Glued down
- Installed as a floating floor using a lock-and-fold system
This flexibility allows engineered hardwood to be installed over concrete slabs, in basements, and in condos, making it ideal for a wider range of spaces.
Maintenance & Longevity
Both flooring types have strengths when it comes to maintenance. Solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished many times, making it a long-term option for high-traffic areas.
Engineered hardwood can also be sanded, though usually only once or twice due to its thinner wear layer. However, it offers better resistance to moisture-related damage and warping, making it easier to maintain in environments with fluctuating humidity.
Final Thoughts
Engineered hardwood delivers the beauty of real wood with added stability, flexibility, and moisture resistance. If you want the look of traditional hardwood without its installation limitations, engineered hardwood is a smart and modern solution for today’s homes.
Browse our engineered hardwood collection to find the perfect style for your space, or contact our team for expert guidance and free samples. We’re here to help you choose with confidence.