Just about anyone can see the benefits of having hardwood floors in their home. Hardwood floors are sleek, sophisticated, and are much easier to clean that other surfaces such as carpet or tiles. But many homeowners may not realize that choosing a hardwood floor isn’t as simple as it seems. Hardwood floor installations have a variety of different options to choose from. There are two basic hardwood floor types: solid wood and engineered wood. Both options have their own unique traits that can benefit your home in different ways.
Solid wood flooring is made up of solid pieces of naturally occurring wood. Solid wood can come in a variety of different wood types, such as oak, black walnut, maple, and mesquite. Each different type of wood has it’s own color and distinct grain pattern, creating unique hardwood floor textures. Solid wood flooring is easy to take care of, and can be refinished again and again, making your floors look brand new every time.
Engineered wood is the second type of hardwood flooring. Originally introduced to the US in 1980s, engineered wood flooring quickly became popular due to it’s ease of installation and stability. These floors are manufactured by placing multiple thin layers of wood on top of one another and applying a thin layer of veneer over the top. This makes the floor less likely to warp, as the wood is able to expand and contrast in cases of high humidity. However, unlike solid wood flooring, engineered wood can only be refinished a few times before it will need to be replaced.
When choosing a hardwood floor type, there are a few other things to take into considerations. Engineered wood is good for floors that see a surplus of activity or moisture, as they are much more sturdy and will need less maintenance. However, solid wood floors can be resurfaced at any time, making it easy to get a quick change of scenery. No matter what type you get, hardwood flooring is sure to be an excellent addition to your home.