Is engineered wood flooring or solid wood flooring better?

Many people love the look of natural wood in their Chester homes. Engineered wood flooring and solid wood flooring in Chester rooms look similar, but which is best? To answer that question, you need to know the differences between engineered wood and solid wood flooring.

What is engineered flooring?

Engineered flooring is made from layers. The top layer is a thin layer of solid hardwood, which is bonded to a plywood base.

Like all floor coverings, there are different grades. The top hardwood layers can be from 2mm to 6mm thick. Thicker top layers are stronger and will last longer.

Top-quality engineered wood flooring looks the same as solid wood flooring when installed.

What is solid wood flooring?

Solid wood flooring is made from solid wood planks of around 18mm in thickness. They can be made from a number of wood types. They usually have a varnish or other top layer to help protect them. People like wood floors for their natural colour, but they can be stained. Grey stained wood planks are suitable for a modern style room design.

Installing solid wood and engineered wood flooring in Chester buildings

Both wood and engineered wood planks have to be carefully laid out and attached to the subfloor. This is best done by a professional floor installer. There is not a lot of difference in the time it takes to install both types of flooring. Compared to other flooring such as laminates, wood floors take time to install so installation costs are not cheap.

Engineered wood is easier to install on uneven floors than solid wood. Engineered wood can be used with underfloor heating, but solid wood cannot.

Environment concerns

Wood is water resistant, but engineered wood is better at coping with extreme moisture. If your Chester property is flooded, wood will probably warp. Engineered wood has a better chance of surviving a flood, but survival cannot be guaranteed.

Engineered wood can be used in kitchens or work areas, where liquids are liable to be spilt.

There is an argument that engineered wood is better for the environment as it is made from less wood than solid wood. Chester consumers concerned about the environment should check that the wood used for either type of flooring comes from sustainable forests.

At the end of its life, both engineered wood and solid wood flooring can be recycled.

Cost

Most sold wood flooring is more expensive to buy and install than engineered wood. However, long term costs can be different. A solid wood floor will last longer than engineered flooring. Both types can be sanded to extend their life, but because the wood layer is thin on engineered floors, there is a limited number of times that they can be sanded.

Both engineered wood and solid wood can add value to the home.

Which to buy

Engineered wood flooring in Chester homes and businesses is a good choice, and so is solid wood flooring. Chester home and business owners should buy engineered wood if they want to save money on the initial installation or the floor is unsuitable. Solid hardwood may be preferred for its long-term value.