Wood Flooring Vs. Engineered
Engineered flooring is designed to mimic the look of real wood flooring, but costs just a fraction of the price of hardwood. Homeowners may often have trouble selecting from between these two products due to their similar appearance. When purchasing one of these materials, you should consider their maintenance and installation requirements, along with a number of other factors. Does this Spark an idea?
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Construction
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Hardwood flooring is made from a variety of wood species, including pine, oak and maple. The entire floor board is made from a solid piece of wood sliced from a log. Engineered flooring, on the other hand, is a composite product. It is made using a plywood or oriented strand board base, which is topped with a thin layer of real wood veneer. Even up close, these two products will typically look identical.
Installation
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Most hardwood floors are installed using a nail-down or glue-down installation technique. The wood planks are fastened to the subfloor, and in some cases are also glued together along the edges. Engineered wood is typically intended for floating installation. This means that the planks connect to one another, but are not attached to the subfloor. Floating floors are often easier for DIY installers to work with, and are more forgiving of subfloor imperfections.
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Considerations
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While hardwood flooring costs more upfront, it also tends to add more value to the home than engineered wood. Many users may also notice a more solid feel to hardwood once it's installed, which is partially due to the floating installation used with engineered products. Engineered wood is the better choice for areas subject to moisture problems, such as basements. Because of its dense layered construction, engineered flooring is less susceptible for moisture damage and warping.
Maintenance
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Because hardwood is made from solid wood, it can be expected to last for decades. If the surface gets stained or dull it can be refinished by sanding and staining. Engineered wood is not solid, and often can't be refinished because of the thin veneer. Some engineered flooring with a veneer thicker than one-tenth inch can be refinished, but the work is difficult and requires extreme care to avoid damaging the floor. Because of its ability to be refinished multiple times, hardwood will typically hold up much longer than composite products.
Environmental Impacts
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Hardwood flooring production requires that old-growth trees be cut down, which can have a major impact on the environment due to the long regrowth period of these trees. Engineered wood also requires trees to be harvested, but much less wood is needed. This is especially important when considering exotic or endangered wood species like teak. Some engineered wood is built using glue containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which contribute to poor air quality in the home. This issue can be avoided by choosing engineered wood labeled "VOC Free" or by using solid hardwood instead.
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References
- Photo Credit Creative Commons, Konrad Kociskewski
