When it comes to helping a client choose between hardwood flooring or engineered wood flooring, there is no easy answer. In the past, engineered wood floors were considered lower-quality, less durable, and less elegant than their hardwood counterparts, but nowadays things are more complicated than that. Advancement in technologies and manufacturing processes have brought engineered wood to a high-quality level that sometimes can compete with hardwood. An untrained eye can even have a hard time nowadays distinguishing between hardwood floors and engineered wood floors.
That being said, there are several key differences between hardwood and engineered wood floors, and an industry professional can guide clients in making the best decision for their specific needs. At First Atlanta Flooring, we want to inform and educate our clients about the advantages and disadvantages of hardwood or engineered wood, to help them make an informed decision. And while it’s true that hardwood flooring is unrivaled in terms of durability and aesthetics, there are numerous advantages to engineered wood floors that cannot be ignored. Below we’ll go through the main pros and cons for each type of wood flooring, based on our experience and the information that our clients often request from us to help them decide.
The pros & cons of hardwood flooring
Hardwood flooring is the best possible choice when it comes to flooring for a residential property or a commercial office. Durability, ease of care, elegance, aesthetic value – these are just a few of the advantages and benefits of installing hardwood floors in any space. Of course, there are exceptions; hardwood is sometimes not the best choice for certain commercial spaces, like bowling alleys or sports centers, and are not the best option when installing over concrete. Let’s go over some of the main pros and cons of hardwood flooring.
Pros
- Durability: if properly installed and cared for, hardwood floors can last for 30 years or more
- Ease of maintenance: hardwood floors can last a lifetime, because they can be sanded and refinished multiple times, compared to engineered planks, which are much thinner
- An elevated aesthetic: there are various color and finish options to choose from with hardwood flooring, which elevate the look of any space and make it more elegant
- High resale value: hardwood flooring adds value to any property
- Excellent acoustic / soundproofing properties
- Stability: hardwood floors are usually nailed down or glued down to the subfloor, which makes them stable and eliminates squeaky or clicking sounds
- Sustainability: hardwood can be reused, reclaimed, and is 100% biodegradable
Cons
- High price: hardwood flooring is almost always more expensive than engineered wood, or any other type of flooring
- Water damage: hardwood is susceptible to water damage and shifts in temperature and humidity levels. Wet mopping is bad for the hardwood planks, and spills and stains can cause deep damage if not eliminated quickly.
- High maintenance: cleaning hardwood floors requires the use of special products that won’t affect the integrity of the wood.
- The color/finish can fade over time if exposed to sunlight or other external factors
- Installation process: hardwood floors should always be installed by professionals, to avoid issues like warping, crowning, or buckling
- Hardwood planks always need to be acclimated before installation
- Not the most eco-friendly option; hardwood planks should always be purchased from NWFA/NOFMA-certified retailers.
The pros & cons of engineered wood flooring
Engineered wood flooring used to be considered a downgrade from hardwood flooring, a lower-quality product that could never match the elegance and sturdiness of real hardwood. However, with advancements in manufacturing and technology, engineered wood is closer than ever to the quality of hardwood, and some clients even prefer it. The price for engineered flooring has also increased, and high-quality products are getting close to the price of hardwood. Let’s go over the main pros and cons of engineered wood floors.
Pros
- Durability: engineered wood, if properly cleaned and cared for, can last for 20 or even 30 years
- Easy cleaning: engineered can easily be unkempt by brooming, vacuuming, and even cleaning with a wet mop
- Eco-friendly: since engineered wood isn’t made of real hardwood, it’s a better option for those worried about deforestation and sustainability
- Quick installation: while engineered wood floors can be glued or nailed down like hardwood, they can also be floating, clicking into place, which is a straightforward process even for non-professionals
- Engineered wood floors can be installed over concrete, unlike hardwood floors, which are more susceptible to water damage and warping caused by changes in humidity
- Cost-effective: more often than not, engineered wood is less pricey and a more budget-friendly option than hardwood
Cons
- Low resale value: while most clients don’t care much about the type of flooring that exists in a property they’re interested in, for some, hardwood floors will have added value, compared to engineered wood
- Not as aesthetically pleasing: hardwood flooring presents with more color options and varieties than engineered wood floors
- A slightly shorter lifespan: engineered wood floors have a thinner surface than hardwood, so they can only be sanded and refinished once or twice before they will need to be replaced
- Not as sturdy: engineered wood floors have a lower-quality core, which makes them more prone to damage from heavy furniture or heavy traffic
- While engineered wood is not as sensitive to water damage and changes in humidity, it’s still not waterproof, so you still need to avoid spills and water infiltration
- Many engineered wood floors are floating-style floors, which makes them less stable and more prone to warping over time
- Plywood materials are more prone to damage than hardwood
- Not the most environmentally-friendly option long-term: engineered wood floors end up in a landfill, as they are not biodegradable
The bottom line
Engineered wood flooring is a great choice nowadays for clients who prefer to go the DIY route, who are worried about the integrity of our forests, and who are looking for a less pricey alternative for their home or commercial property. A quality engineered wood product can be durable, lasting for 30 to 40 years, and offer many of the same advantages as hardwood.
However, for clients looking for an elegant, highly durable, stable, aesthetically pleasing product, hardwood remains the best option. While it’s slightly more expensive, not as easy to install and maintain, and more prone to fluctuations in humidity, it can last for decades and decades, even a lifetime. Clients concerned about the environment can ensure that they’re buying hardwood sourced from a NWFA-certified retailer, and rest assured knowing that their hardwood floors are ultimately completely biodegradable.
Reach out to First Atlanta Flooring for more information on hardwood and engineered wood floors, and for any inquiries about our products and services.
