Real hardwood and engineered hardwood both have their advantages and drawbacks, so it can be tricky to decide which is right for your needs. The differences stem from the materials and the number of layers within the core.
At SMART Carpet and Flooring, we offer many different types of hardwood flooring, including engineered options, in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, and bring samples right to you with our mobile showrooms. Here, we’ll discuss engineered hardwood vs. hardwood flooring to help you determine which will suit your needs best.
Real Hardwood Pros and Cons
Real hardwood flooring is solid flooring, typically made from a single piece of timber. It is milled to a uniform width and thickness and installed with a traditional tongue-and-groove design. Common wood types for hardwood floors include oak, maple, cherry, hickory, and walnut. Each type of wood offers unique characteristics in grain, color, and hardness. Real hardwood offers several advantages, including:
- Longevity: Real hardwood floors can last for generations with proper care, withstanding heavy foot traffic and still maintaining their beauty over time, making them a long-term investment.
- Natural beauty: Each plank of real hardwood has unique grain patterns and colors, which can enhance the overall aesthetic of your home.
- Increased property value: Real hardwood floors have a timeless appeal that can increase the resale value of your property.
However, there are some potential drawbacks to hardwood floors, including susceptibility to moisture and humidity, higher price points, and a higher maintenance level compared to other types of flooring.
Engineered Hardwood Pros and Cons
Engineered hardwood is a layered composite made with real wood veneer and a core of dense fiberboard. It can be installed in multiple areas and comes in many styles, including matte, satin, and high-gloss finishes. It also mirrors the aesthetics of real hardwood, complementing a wide range of interior design aesthetics, from rustic to modern. Engineered hardwood offers several other benefits, such as:
- Stability: The layered construction makes engineered hardwood more stable and less susceptible to changes in humidity and temperature, which means it’s less likely to warp or swell.
- Cost-effectiveness: Engineered hardwood is generally more affordable than real hardwood. The top layer is made of real wood, while the underlying layers are composed of plywood or high-density fiberboard, which helps reduce the cost.
- Moisture resistance: Engineered hardwood is resistant to moisture, making it a good choice for areas with fluctuating moisture levels like basements.
Engineered hardwood also has a few drawbacks, including limited refinishing options, perceived lower resale value, and fading over time.
Engineered Hardwood vs. Hardwood: How to Decide Which Is Right for You
When choosing between hardwood floors and engineered hardwood, you need to consider a few different factors. They include:
Lifestyle
If your home receives a lot of foot traffic, real hardwood may be a better option, as it’s durable and can be refinished multiple times. This makes it ideal for high-traffic areas. If you’re worried about stains or scratches from pets or kids, engineered hardwood is best. Its layered construction offers enhanced durability and moisture resistance, so it’s less vulnerable to scratches and stains and more pet-friendly than real hardwood.
Aesthetics
Both real and engineered hardwood offer a distinctive look. However, if you want more color or style options, engineered hardwood is more suitable because it can be made from more species and can be created with unique textures or patterns. If you want to refinish your floors multiple times, real hardwood is better because it can be refinished many times, while engineered hardwood cannot.
Budget
If budget is a factor in your flooring remodel, engineered hardwood is a more cost-effective option than real hardwood. This is because its construction uses less expensive materials. However, solid hardwood can increase your property value more than engineered wood, leading to a higher return on investment.
By taking these factors into account, you can determine whether real or engineered hardwood is better for your space. You can also discuss your options with a SMART Carpet and Flooring team member to get their expert insight.
Find the Right Hardwood Flooring Near You in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Are you ready to get your hardwood flooring installed? Choosing SMART Carpet and Flooring, with service areas in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania with vast flooring options, free estimates, and transparent pricing.
Our convenient mobile showroom lets you shop at home and save, so you’ll never have to pay store prices again. We bring thousands of flooring samples right to your home so you can see how they look with the rest of your decor and furniture.
Our professional installation team ensures that your flooring is correctly and efficiently installed. To learn more about engineered hardwood vs. hardwood flooring or to schedule a free estimate, contact us today.
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