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Historically, solid wood would have been the only option of wood flooring but with the development in technology and the introduction of engineered wood, solid wood is now being given a run for its money.
This article seeks to assess the pros and cons of each to help you decide.
Solid wood is literally solid wood. It is a piece of wood, usually oak, maple or walnut, cut to be used as a floorboard. It can be sanded and refinished roughly about 4-5 times as you need to be careful not to sand down to the tongue and groove as sanding past the tongue and groove can lead to more stability issues.
Engineered wood is made from layers of plywood glued together and finished with a layer of hardwood (Oak, Maple or Walnut). Engineered wood is very strong. Depending on the depth of the top layer chosen will depend on how many times you can sand it. For example if you have a 6mm layer on top you will be able to sand at least 4 times.
Which you think is better in terms of appearance is personal preference.
Solid wood is usually narrower but thicker than engineered wood which is wider and slimmer. It comes in a wide variety of colours due to the different woods used and it can be bought finished or unfinished.
Engineered wood flooring can come in a variety of colours.
Solid wood from the same origin as engineered wood can be considerably more expensive.
High quality engineered wood flooring is one of the best sustainable and eco-friendly products you can choose for flooring. It is considered a carbon neutral product which has a very low environmental impact.
To ensure that our products come from sustainable sources we only use wood flooring suppliers who are accredited by the PEFC, FSC and EUTR.
PEFC – Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third party certification.
FSC – Forest Stewardship Council offer sustainable solutions that support responsible forestry.
EUTR – European Union Timber Regulation is a trade mechanism put in place by the EU Parliament and council to prohibit the trade of illegally harvested timber and timber products.
Solid wood uses more of the tree per plank than engineered wood.
Regarding installation Engineered wood flooring can be glued or floated, we prefer to use the glued down method as this makes the floor more stable and secure. The flexible adhesives allow for the natural expansion and contraction of the boards throughout the year as the humidity levels change with the seasons.
Historically solid wood has been the only option, but engineered woods are proving an excellent, lower priced, more sustainable competitor.
Engineered wood is more environmentally friendly to make due to using less wood and this may be a deciding factor for you.
Aesthetically it is down to personal preference, as you know what colours and dimensions will suit your home and one wood does not have the edge over other here.
There is not really a better choice, and ultimately it depends on your budget, how you feel about sustainability, and the look you want.
