If you’re looking to add warmth and beauty to your home, nothing compares to genuine hardwood flooring. hardwood floors are both made from 100% real wood, but there are significant differences in their overall construction. Engineered wood floors behave a little differently than solid plank floors do. They tend to be easier to install and are usually less expensive than solid hardwood. However, not all wood floors are created equal. Depending on the type or species of wood the flooring is made from will determine what type of performance qualities it has. Understanding these differences will go a long way to help you choose the wood floor that’s right for your home. Solid hardwood floors are just that — they’re made from solid wood. Each board of solid hardwood flooring is made from a single piece of hardwood that’s about 3/4 of an inch thick. Because it’s so thick it can be sanded down and refinished for however long the flooring is in the house.
Engineered hardwood is a versatile and resilient flooring option that can be installed in most areas of your home. genuine wood, this flooring gives your home an updated look and feel. Engineered hardwood is made of a core of hardwood or plywood with a layer of hardwood veneer affixed to the top surface. It’s more resistant to moisture and heat compared to solid Solid hardwood expands and contracts in reaction to changes in moisture and temperature, so solid wood floors are only recommended for rooms at ground level or above. The unique construction of engineered wood creates a structure that is less likely to buckle, gap, or react to fluctuations in humidity and temperature. You can install engineered flooring on any level, including below ground. It's a great choice for finished basements and bathrooms. Both solid and engineered hardwood floors are designed for beauty and durability. Their tough surface can stand up to activeHowever, both solid and engineered hardwood flooring have different performance attributes.
Solid wood flooring is permanently nailed to the subfloor. Because of expansion and contraction issues, installers will normally leave a gap between the wall and the floor to accommodate swelling. This type of flooring should only be installed in parts of the home above grade and only over plywood, wood or oriented strand board subfloors. Engineered floors have enhanced stability, which provides slightly more resistance to everyday wear- and-tear and also toSolid hardwood floors are more prone to shrinking or expanding based on humidity levels. Engineered wood floors can be more resistant to moisture and offer a bit more stability than solid hardwood. product can tolerate water laying on it, the increased moisture levels over concrete aren't a problem for most engineeredUnlike solid hardwood, engineered hardwood can go over concrete under the right conditions. Solid hardwood flooring can be glued, nailed or stapled to a wood subfloor. These types of installations are best left to
the pros, since they can challenge even experienced DIYers. Engineered wood floors can be either nailed down or glued down, like a traditional hardwood installation. They can also be installed as "floating" floors, in which the boards attach to each other and "float" above the subfloor. Whoever installs your solid hardwood floors must have enough experience to leave the right amount of space for hardwood’s natural expansion and contraction. The individual boards can’t be too tight or too loose. If they’re too tight your floorIf it’s too loose the gaps between the boards will get too wide in the winter. Solid hardwood flooring installation is perhaps the most challenging of all flooring types. However with the right tools and planning skilled DIYers can handle the job with stunning results. If you’re unsure if you’re up to the task, review our DIY skill assessment, so you know what to expect. Engineered hardwood flooring is an easier and faster DIY installation.
Armstrong engineered hardwood flooring comes with aThis simple two-step process eliminates the need for messy glue or nails. Both engineered and solid hardwood flooring can be refinished. Solid hardwood can be refinished up to 10 times depending onEngineered boards requires less refinishing over its lifetime – typically only one or two times. Refinishing your hardwood floors can be a DIY project, but it requires some skill and a bit of patience. can range between $200-$300 dollars. If you’re not completely confident in your skill level, you may want to consider hiring The cost of solid vs. engineered hardwood is typically dependent on the quality and species of the wood. hardwood, such as maple, may be more expensive than engineered flooring. For more common hardwoods, solid wood flooring may be cheaper overall, although it will take longer to install. The layers in the buildup underneath the top layer of engineered hardwood also play a role in the final price.
anywhere between three and 12 layers of plywood and unfinished white wood, depending on the thickness and quality of the finishedArmstrong's price estimator is a helpful tool to get an estimate for the cost of buying and installing a hardwoodEngineered hardwood is a versatile alternative to solid wood. Unlike solid hardwood, which is one piece of wood milled from a tree, engineered wood flooring is actually made of several wood plies (layers) that are fused together under heat and pressure. Engineered hardwood flooring adds warmth and value to your home. With a variety of finishes, species and widths – you’re sure to find the perfect match for your home. If sustainability is a priority of yours, engineered floors tend to be a more eco-friendly I installed the flooring two years ago and couldn't be happier! It's turned our home into a showcase. on how good it looks. Even with two big dogs pounding on it every day, the flooring looks as good as when we installed it.
We were only going to cover about 2,000 sq ft, but we like it so much we're going to purchase another 1,000 sq ft.Satisfied Customer – Reno, NV Engineered wood flooring is constructed from multiple plies of wood with a solid wood top layer. Below the top layer are cross layers of plywood that are pressed to create a strong, stable core. At the bottom is a hardwood backing. is offered in a variety of thickness levels so it can be used in a wide-range of applications without awkward transitions between different flooring materials. Engineered wood flooring allows you to enjoy the beauty of hardwood in your finished basement. The superior strength and stability of engineered hardwood floors makes them less likely to expand or contract, meaning they’re less susceptible to changes inEngineered wood can stand up to a variety of moisture and humidity-prone areas including bathrooms, laundry rooms, entryways and finished basements. Both engineered and solid wood floors bring the beautiful look of natural hardwood into your home, but it’s important to know
the key differences between engineered hardwood vs. solid hardwood in order to decide which one is right for you. All Armstrong engineered wood and solid wood floors carry the same lifetime structural warranty and residential finish warranty. Engineered wood floors can be more resistant to moisture and offer a bit more stability than solid hardwood. Unlike solid hardwood, engineered wood can go over concrete under the right conditions. Solid hardwood floors are more prone to shrinking or expanding based on humidity levels. Like all Armstrong hardwood floors, engineered hardwood flooring comes in a wide variety of domestic and exotic wood species, stains and surface treatments. Whether you’re looking for traditional oak, walnut and hickory or the more contemporary tigerwood, mahogany or acacia – Armstrong has a design ideal for your home and lifestyle. You’ll also find different engineered wood plank sizes from narrow strips (less than 3”) to wide planks (5” and up) that really
show off the character of the natural wood grain. The size of the planks you choose makes a big difference in the overall look of your room. Narrow planks are typical for a room with a more formal, traditional style, while wide planks convey a more casual, relaxed atmosphere. Design Tip: Wide planks are popular right now for contemporary rustic or urban room settings. Surface texture of engineered hardwood flooring can add a lot to the atmosphere to a room by accentuating the elegance or adding to the warmth of a more casual setting. There are a variety of applications that can create a textured look and feel including hand scraped, distressed and wire brushed. Textured flooring is trending in home interiors. The visual effect is a floor with character and a “lived-in” appearance thatArmstrong Flooring offers more than 400 engineered hardwood products, so you’re guaranteed to find a style that coordinates with your decor. Like a virtual dressing room for flooring, our Design a Room visualizer allow you to “try on” different flooring designs before
Simply pick a room type and design style or upload a photo of your room then mix and match different engineered hardwood floors with wall colors. Design Room Visualizer makes it easy to find the engineered wood flooring that’s perfect Want to know which engineered flooring matches your lifestyle? Our floor finder tools helps you narrow the search based onJust answer a few questions and the floor finder will select the style and design that's best suited to your lifestyle and budget. Another great feature about engineered wood floors is the range of installation options. Depending on the product you choose, engineered wood boards can be either nailed down or glued down as in a traditional hardwood floor installation. Engineered wood floors can also be installed as “floating” floors, in which the boards are attached to each other and not the subfloor – which makes it a DIY-friendly installation! Caring for engineered wood floors is the same as caring for a hardwood floor.