Helping clients choose the right type of wood flooring for their homes is an essential part of a professional builder’s job. Not everyone is familiar with the wide variety of flooring options available on the market, and people usually need all the guidance they can get to make the right decisions. Additionally, knowing what types of wood floors are in high demand, as well as which are more affordable and which are more expensive is also very important.
Whether you’re renovating a home, getting a team together to install wood floors in new houses or apartment buildings, or you’re browsing items for your own place, knowing the key differences between wood floor types is essential. The market is saturated with a lot of options, from hardwood floor planks to engineered flooring planks, vinyl, laminate flooring – and the list can go on.
Here at First Atlanta Flooring, we thought about examining the most popular wood flooring types, namely hardwood and engineered wood, and see which one of the two is the best choice for professionals in 2021.
Which type of wood flooring should professionals choose in 2021?
Every wood type has its own charm. If you’re looking to install planks in a large living area, hardwood floors are the answer. If you’re looking to cut costs, engineered flooring options are your best bet. One important step is to also consider the design, architecture, and furniture of a space, before making the final decision. For example, if there will be a huge rug that will most likely cover a big chunk of the floor, skipping the hardwood option and going for engineered wood can be a wise and cost-effective decision.
In this article, we’ll showcase the two flooring options, which are readily available on our website for purchase. We’ll examine their type, installation methods, best uses, costs, advantages, and disadvantages.
1. Hardwood floors
Solid hardwood planks are made from a single piece of hardwood cut from a tree, like white oak or red oak, for example. They are typically 18mm to 20mm thick and are fitted using the tongue-and-groove method. Each wood type also has a hardness score, which indicates how easily it can be damaged. Hardwood floors are usually more expensive than other faux wood floor types, however, they are the most durable.
Solid hardwood floors can be sanded back to restore initial finishes, and stained for a new and fresh look. This type of flooring looks incredible in large open spaces, houses, vacation homes or hospitality venues, and even large apartments. Hardwood floors can be installed in almost any room, however, keep in mind that excess water can easily damage the wood, and it requires more maintenance and care.
2. Engineered Flooring
Engineered wood flooring is a great and affordable alternative to hardwood floors. Each plank consists of three or four layers of wood glued together, and they are around 14mm thick. Just as hardwood floors, engineered wood flooring comes in two forms: prefinished and unfinished.
Prefinished engineered wood can be installed right away, with no sanding and staining needed, while for the unfinished version, you need to do the aforementioned procedures before installation. Plus, the unfinished version gives the builder the chance to customize the color and the finish per preference or request.
Engineered wood is available with ‘click-and-lock’ installations, requiring no adhesive, while tongue-and-groove versions need to be glued into place. This type of wood flooring provides more resistance to moisture than solid hardwood and can be installed in bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens. Even though it’s resistant to water, you shouldn’t go ahead and install it in bathrooms and expose the wood to excess humidity.
Verdict: Hardwood flooring or engineered flooring?
Now that we examined both flooring types, making a decision should be easy, right?
Well, the truth is, both are excellent and quality options, and the final decision boils down to personal preference, budget, and which type of flooring will complement the overall home, room, or space better. If you’re on a budget, we suggest going for the engineered wood option. If money’s not an issue, a bulk purchase of hardwood floor planks is a no-brainer—but make sure you keep them dry and away from water!
Both come prefinished and unfinished, so you can buy them and install them immediately, or customize them before installation if you opt for the unfinished version. Make sure to check out our website to browse our flooring options, as well as flooring installation materials and floor finishes. If you need a special or personalized order, don’t hesitate to reach out to us here.
