Both hardwood floors and engineered wood floors are long-lasting, natural options that bring traditional beauty, warmth, and value to your home. Hardwoods last longer and are less susceptible to water damage, but engineered wood is more affordable and easier to install.
Neither option is best for every room or for every homeowner, so understanding the differences between hardwood floors and engineered wood floors can help you decide which one is best for your space.
What is hardwood?
As the name suggests, hardwood floors are made from hardwood, and manufacturers mill each plank from solid wood. Most hardwood floors are made from deciduous trees such as oak, maple, walnut, and mahogany.
Modern hardwood floors come in planks with tongues and grooves for easy installation, but each plank is constructed entirely of hardwood.
What is engineered wood?
Engineered wood floors are similar to hardwood floors because they often have a top layer of hardwood called a “wear layer.” This layer is much thinner than hardwood floorboards. Engineered wood floors are made with multiple layers of plywood underneath to give them extra thickness.
Engineered wood floors are made of planks that fit together with tongues and grooves, the only difference being the plywood layer that makes up the core layer.
Hardwood and engineered wood: the difference at a glance
Engineered wood flooring is more affordable than hardwood flooring. The criss-cross pattern of engineered wood plywood reduces the risk of warping, but both materials can be exposed to moisture and water.
The biggest difference is in the longevity of these materials, with hardwood floors lasting twice as long. While a solid wood floor can be sanded and refinished many times over its lifespan, engineered flooring can only withstand a few sandings before it breaks through the top wear layer and reverts to plywood.
This helpful visual is provided by Lowe’s. Engineered wood (left) is indistinguishable from hardwood (right). The real difference is in the structure of the material.
Lifespan and durability
On average, hardwood floors last twice as long as engineered wood floors. This is primarily because solid wood floors can be sanded and refinished more times than engineered wood.
“(Full-engineered wood) is as durable as its solid hardwood counterpart, but depending on the thickness of the veneer, it can only be refinished one to three times,” says Carly Harrington, owner of Floor Coverings International (South Atlanta), a flooring contractor in Georgia.
This means that if your floor is subject to increased wear and tear from pedestrians, children, and pets, solid wood is likely to serve you better over time.
Water and moisture resistant
Because wood and water don’t mix well, any type of flooring that includes wood is susceptible to warping, rotting, and permanent water damage. Hardwood doesn’t have a resilient plywood layer like engineered wood flooring, so it’s more susceptible to water and moisture damage.
“In a climate where weather, water, and humidity vary dramatically, engineered floors are more dimensionally stable, reduce gaps between boards, and perform better over their lifetime,” says Alyssa Tautman, interior designer at flooring retailer Floor360 in Wisconsin.
However, neither option is ideal for kitchens and bathrooms that are prone to leaks, spills, and high humidity. However, engineered wood provides a little more resilience in these areas.
Looks and feels comfortable
Both solid wood floors and engineered wood floors bring natural beauty, add warmth and luxury to your home, and often look the same.
“Once installed, many engineered hardwoods look no different than solid wood because the top layer is real wood,” said Matt Wien, vice president of sales and marketing for flooring retailer Marshall Flooring Co. in Cleveland, Ohio.
However, one important difference in terms of aesthetics is the width of the board. If you prefer wider planks for a more open, traditional look and feel, engineered wood is a better option as it is less likely to expand or contract as it gets wider.
“We typically don’t sell hardwood wider than 5 inches because solid wood is less stable as it gets wider,” Wien said. “Using engineered wood provides greater stability when using wider planks, which is ideal for customers who prefer the look of long, wide wood.”
Other flooring products, such as luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring, may include a cork or rubber backing layer for added comfort. Solid wood and engineered wood do not have these backing layers, so they are not very comfortable to walk on. It’s also cooler underfoot than carpet, but warmer than concrete.
Installation and maintenance
Both types of wood flooring can be difficult and time-consuming to install, as each plank must be individually nailed by the installer. Although DIY installation is possible, the job requires specialized tools and advanced techniques, so it’s best to hire a wood flooring specialist to ensure a professional look.
Routine maintenance for solid wood flooring and engineered wood flooring is similar.
- Wipe up spills immediately to prevent water damage and stains.
- vacuum regularly
- Avoid wet mopping
- Never use steam cleaning tools
- Use wood-safe cleaners
The same goes for long-term maintenance, which means that your floors will need to be sanded and refinished every 5 to 10 years depending on their wear and tear. However, engineered wood floors do not have as deep a wear layer and should be replaced sooner.
Cost considerations
According to our experts, solid wood floors typically cost between $6 and $22 per square foot for materials and labor, while engineered wood floors cost between $6 and $14 per square foot when fully installed.
“Solid wood is more expensive because you have to factor in the professional labor costs for both installation and stain field finishing,” says Tautman. “(Solid hardwood) adds $2 to $8 per square foot.”
Hardwood vs. engineered wood: which is better for each room?
Hardwood and engineered wood floors are most popular in primary living areas where the risk of exposure to water and moisture is low. Solid wood is a good choice for rooms with a lot of foot traffic, such as living rooms, hallways, and dining rooms. There will be more opportunities to sand and refinish the floor before replacing it.
In a low-traffic bedroom, both options look beautiful and should provide decades of value. If durability is important to you, choose solid wood, but if you’re on a budget, consider engineered wood.
Neither option is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms where there is a high risk of exposure to moisture and water. However, if you want uniformity throughout your home, use engineered wood in these spaces, which is slightly more durable.
The same applies to basements and underground spaces where moisture and moisture are more common. Although engineered wood is slightly better, luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring may be a better investment.
conclusion
Although hardwood floors are more expensive, they last on average twice as long, making them a better investment in the long run. Buyers who understand the long-term value of solid wood floors may be willing to pay more for a home with solid wood floors.
If you are on a tight budget, engineered wood flooring is a better option. It’s also slightly more resistant to water and moisture, so engineered wood flooring is better in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements.
If you’re still not sure which type of wood flooring is best for your needs, talk to a local flooring expert about your home and lifestyle to help you decide. Discuss what kind of wear and tear you expect your floor to experience and whether you’d prioritize longevity or initial cost, and ask a professional for their opinion.
FAQ
What is the healthiest flooring for your home?
Natural flooring products such as solid wood, stone, and tile are widely considered to be the healthiest for homes because they are less likely to contain chemicals during the manufacturing process. However, the porosity of the floor should also be considered, as some woodwork and grout between tiles can retain moisture and grow mold if exposed to water or moisture. If allergies are an issue, avoid carpeting as it can collect dust, pollen, and pet dander, which can worsen allergy symptoms.
Is artificial hardwood similar to real hardwood?
Engineered wood floors not only look a lot like solid wood floors, but they can also be hard to tell apart on the surface. Engineered wood floors have a hardwood wear layer on top of them, the only difference is that the core layer is made of plywood. Engineered wood floors look like real hardwood because the plywood is not visible after installation.
Will engineered wood floors increase the value of my home?
Yes, engineered wood floors usually increase the value of your home, depending on what you replace it with. Whether you choose solid wood flooring or engineered wood flooring, wood is one of the most desirable flooring options and many buyers will pay a premium. Solid wood floors are typically twice as durable as engineered wood and can withstand refinishing, making them more valuable.
Can you mop engineered wood floors?
You can mop engineered wood floors, but never use a wet mop. A damp mop with a wood-safe cleaner is best. This limits the amount of water that can seep into the porous wood and threaten the integrity of the floor. Also, avoid using steam mops or other steam cleaners, as heat and moisture can cause engineered wood floors to warp and expand, causing permanent damage.
