Comparing Hardwood Floorings

Comparisons between hardwood flooring types

Hardwood is an attractive, yet durable flooring solution. Before you visit your local hardware or flooring store, gain an understanding of the differences between hardwood floor types.

Types

First, understand and compare the difference between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood. Solid hardwood is made of actual lumber, while the engineered type is commonly made from plywood and veneer covering, and only resembles real wood. Engineered hardwood flooring is commonly less durable than solid wood, yet is cheaper and simpler to install (with interlocking planks). Engineered hardwood ranges from dark to light in color, depending on the veneer coating.

Solid Wood

Solid hardwood flooring is available in a number of different types and shades of wood. Popular wood types include maple, oak (red and white varieties), cherry variations, and hickory planks.

Considerations

You can further compare hardwood flooring by the cut of the wood. A plain saw cut shows wide patterns, while quarter and rift sawn planks show thinner grain patterns. The latter two types are more durable options. Rift planks are more costly compared to the other two cuts.

References

• Mohawk Flooring: Types of Hardwood
• Find Any Floor: Hardwood Flooring Types