Solid hardwood is different from engineered hardwood in a couple of important ways. In this video, Mitch Cleary runs through some of the differences between these two styles of flooring and the pros and cons of each.
Solid hardwood is hardwood throughout. It is typically 3/4 of an inch thick and the majority of solid hardwood floors use a tongue-in-groove system. Solid hardwood is sensitive to moisture, and if planks are too wide, the floor can ‘cup’ or warp.
There are different types of engineered hardwood, but all use a non-hardwood core made of plywood or a high-density fiber beneath a true hardwood veneer. This can be more cost-effective, but one of the main reasons that people use an engineered hardwood floor is that it resists the swelling and contracting that affects hardwood floors in humid basements and other damp environments.
Engineered hardwood floors are easier to install (with click floor options) and easier to maintain over the years. A click system may require underlayment, but they are much easier to install. An engineered hardwood floor with a click system can even be installed on top of an existing tile floor.
