SOLID WOOD VS. ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING: A COMPARISON

If you are considering a wood floor for your home, looks usually come first, and materials come second. Solid wood and engineered wood floorings almost always look identical at first glance. The difference lies in what lies under the surface and how the wood would be used.

Solid wood flooring consists of a single timber cut. For the UK, the most popular species of timber flooring is oak. Walnut, ash, and pine solid wood are also quite common. Solid wood flooring can be sanded and refininshed almost an infinite amount of times. That is why original floorboards have persisted in some older houses. The downside of solid wood is that wood can create undesirable gaps due to its natural movement. In kitchens and bathrooms, solid wood flooring is not preferable.

You can have an engineered wood floor that is a solid wood floor for much less. ‘An engineered oak floor can be found in a range of around £30 to £50 for solid wood floors. Solid oak starts at £40 to £60.’

True difference: solid wood has a longer lifespan and can be refinished more. Engineered wood is simpler and versatile. In most contemporary and specifically heated homes, engineered wood is the more efficient alternative.