Beginning your floor search? Wooden or other material? You’ll soon stumble upon the solid vs engineered debate. Both look like wood and feel like wood, but they hold very different structures, and that matters more than most people realize.
Based on years of fitting both, practice makes perfect and this makes the most difference.
What You’ll Actually Purchase
Solid wood boards are cut from one solid timber piece. What you see is what you get, and you get 18-20mm of solid oak, pine, or whatever wood choice you’ve made.
Engineered boards are slapped with wood that is real on the top (this is usually 4-6mm) and glued onto a plywood base. The plywood base is out of sight once fitted, but it alters how the board behaves.
Neither is inherently better than the other. Situational matters mean they are more suited to different environments. The choice is yours!
When Solid Wood Makes Sense
If you’re applying boards directly to joists in the top level of an older home, solid wood is an excellent option. Solid wood floors can also be sanded down and refinished numerous times over the decades, with the 18 mm thickness on the boards allowing multiple rounds of sanding with several mm of wood wearing off each time.
If you’re renovating a period home, solid wood is the authentic character you’re looking for. Visitors stepping on the boards will be treated to the unique sound of real wood, and there’s a footed feel of a solid foundation.
The downside is that the real solid wood will be more susceptible to seasonal changes in temperature and humidity, so expect to see winter heating gaps that will close up in warmer months. This is just the nature of real wood and is understandably off-putting for some people.
When Engineered makes more Sense
When paired with underfloor heating, the more stable base of engineered floors will have fewer issues with bending or excessive movement of the wood. Solid wood floors can also be prone to more moisture in the air, which engineered wood can handle better.
It’s also your only true choice over concrete subfloors if you’re using the floating installation method. You can also glue down solid wood planks, but engineered boars are made for this, so they are better.
For kitchens and hallways – anywhere with slightly more moisture or temperature fluctuations – engineered tends to create less of a headache. The stability of the wood means more in these rooms than being able to sand the floor six times over the next fifty years.
Cost Differences That Matter
Cheap engineered flooring is priced cheaper than solid wood. Good quality engineered flooring is priced about the same. Affordable engineered flooring is priced higher.
The issue is with cheap engineered boards is that they have a top layer less than 1mm of actual wood. If you sand it, you’re gonna be through to the plywood. They’re okay for tight budgets, but dont expect them to last a lifetime.
Good engineered boards have a 4-6 mm top layer and are around the same price as solid wood. This is what people are looking for if they want engineered flooring that will last.The cost to install the Engineered and Solid Wood Floor are comparable. Floating Engineered Wood is faster to install.
Sanding and long term repairs/maintenance.
When it comes to sustaining wood’s longevity with sanding, solid wins hands down. A solid wood floor that is maintained will last over a century, as it can be sanded down completely and refinished about 4 or 5 times.
On the other end, engineered wood can only to be sanded and refinished once, twice if you’re really careful. Engineered wood does still yield about 30-40 years of use, which is only the the misconception that it won’t.
Their daily upkeep is identical, so with either solid or engineered, simply sweep or vacuum, clean small spills, and do not let water remain on the floor’s surface. It is also recommended to not let water remain on the floor’s surface. For a harder, long-lasting finish, use lacquer instead of oil.
When it comes to the long-lasting value of solid wood floor versus the engineered wood, the biggest misconception is that they are the same, and that the engineered wood is the same value.
If it seems cheap, review the thickness of the wear layer. 3mm or under will likely not last many years.
Putting solid wood into rooms where it is more logical to put an engineered wood is where the issue begins. Solid oak works okay over underfloor heating, but it is more likey to cause more problems than engineered would.
Improperly preparing the subfloor ruins both types the same. A wonky subfloor creates issues, it doesn’t matter what you put on top of it.
Which Rooms to Fit Which Type of Flooring
Bedrooms and living rooms – either works well. Decide it based on budget and if you want the option to refinish it multiple times.
Kitchens and bathrooms – engineered flooring is better able to handle moisture. Solid wood can work, but it requires more careful maintenance.
Hallways with underfloor heating – engineered all the time. The solid wood tends to be unable to handle the temperature fluctuations.
Period properties where authenticity matters – solid wood if budget allows. It matches the original construction better.
The Honest Answer
There isn’t a universally better type of flooring per se. Solid wood allows for more sanding and works better with traditional installations. Engineered wood works better for stability and is more flexible in the cases where it can be applied.
Consider which factors are more important for you in your specific rooms, and choose accordingly. Both types will last for decades if you fit and maintain them properly.