What makes a hardwood floor a hardwood floor?
| Solid |
Solid wood is just that – one piece that is milled from lumber. It comes in a variety of widths, from 2-1/4" to 5" wide. It also comes in different thicknesses: 3/4" is standard, but you can also find "thin profile" solid that is 5/16" thick.
Keep in Mind:
- Moisture and extreme temperature changes can cause solid wood to shrink and expand, potentially causing gaps between boards during colder or dryer seasons.
- 5/16" thin profile solid wood can be installed directly over concrete; 3/4" can't.
- All solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished if needed (required every 15-20 years).
- All urethane coated floors can be recoated as needed to renew the surface of the floor. This is more economical than sanding and refinishing.
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| Engineered |
Engineered wood is real wood, but instead of one solid piece it consists of three to 10 thin layers of wood, called plies , that are assembled and glued in a cross-ply construction. The top layer of wood can range from 1/16" to 1/6" thick. Overall board thickness ranges from 1/4" to 3/4". Due to its multi-ply structure, engineered wood is much more stable than solid wood and is less susceptible to shrinking and expanding with changes in temperatures and humidity.
Keep in Mind:
- Engineered wood can be installed directly over concrete and can also be installed below ground level .
- Engineered wood with a top layer thinner than 1/10" cannot be refinished; however, it can be recoated to renew the surface of the floor.
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