Engineered Hardwood often makes people think of fake wood or laminates. Actually, “Engineered Hardwoods” are their own product and are made from real wood, (not filler) and are becoming a popular choice for many reasons.
What are the main differences between traditional hardwood, engineered hardwood and laminate?
Solid Hardwood Flooring
- Can be sanded or refinished up to point of first interlocking notch
- Susceptible to expansion and contraction due to heat or cold, during winter when it shrinks can collect crumbs in expanded cracks (not recommended for bathrooms or underground floors)
- Comes pre-finished where you can select from manufacturer stain and finish options or unfinished where you can create a custom stain and finish on-site
- Often 3/4″ thickness, single solid pieces of wood that interlock with grooves
RCI Advice:
This height difference can create an issue in a remodel where connecting rooms’ flooring is not as high as the new wood flooring and adding a new transition strip can create a tripping hazard. Due to this height difference it it often easier to install solid hardwood in new builds, however, for a large span of hardwood (through multiple connected rooms) we recommend engineered hardwoods so there are less issues with expansion and contraction.
Engineered Hardwood
- Layer of finished hardwood on top, layers of quarter-turned (perpendicular) following beneath to create dimensional stability
- Can be refinished (choose a product with a thick enough top finished wood layer, some are very thin and cannot be refinished)
- Negligible movement with heat or cold due to dimensional layering of wood
- Comes pre-finished where you can select from manufacturer stain and finish options or unfinished where you can create a custom stain and finish on-site
- Often 1/2″ or 5/8″ thickness (usually easier transition between rooms in a renovation situation)
Laminate Flooring
- Printed image of wood on paper covering particle board
- Very susceptible to warping in wet areas (not recommended for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms)
- High scratch resistance (excellent in a children’s play space and with housepets)
- Often easy to self-install, requires space around room edge as it does expand and contract with heat and cold
- Comes in manufacturer pre-finished colors and finishes
