engineered floors v hardwood floors
We need to replace about 2,000 sqf of floors and are having a hard time deciding what to use. We are considering both engineered and hardwood floors. Cost is definitely an issue so we are leaning towards the engineered floors which are about $4K cheaper; however, we have heard that they can get damaged quickly….
We need to replace about 2,000 sqf of floors and are having a hard time deciding what to use. We are considering both engineered and hardwood floors. Cost is definitely an issue so we are leaning towards the engineered floors which are about $4K cheaper; however, we have heard that they can get damaged quickly. Having dogs that is an issue. Can any one tell me what the difference is? Also, I have heard that engineered floors are a “greener” option since they use recycled wood to make them. Is this true?
Hi, I sell northern red pine wide-plank flooring. It is solid, 3/4″ t and g, kiln dried in random lengths from 7-16 ft (avg of 13-14 ft) Prices range from $1.99-$2.69/sq ft. Personalized delivery to your door … well, actually, through it too :-). I am in the process of finding a few reputable installers in the area that I can recommend. It seems like this board is a good place to start.
After doing so much research that I felt I could open a floor store, I put dark (br-111 tigerwood) engineered floors in my house last year. Most of them, I believe, come with an aluminum oxide finish which a) seems to scratch very easily, and b) shows lots of footprints from pets and me. With lighter colored woods, this might not be a problem, but if moisture, humidity or other installation problems aren’t issues for you, I’d go with solid wood. And yes, check the reclaimed flooring sites for sales.
One type of floor is not better than the other. They each have good and bad points. Probably the best feature of engineered floors is that they can be installed as “floating” floor and placed on more subfloor types. The floating can also hide expansion and contraction seams that all wood floors are subject too (engineered floors are still wood). The worst feature of an engineered floor is failure due to delamination. Most engineered floors require a specific humidity range to remain in warranty. Water is the enemy of all wood floors, but serious water damage of a engineered floor usually requires the damaged piece to be replaced.
Another concern about engineered wood is that it has not been in the marketplace that long; you can see 200 year old solid wood floors still in service but can’t say the same about engineered wood.
Try checking out the sale section of the reclaimed flooring sites. They always list closeouts, etc. You can save money and get a real wood, recycled floor.
When we installed engineered floors in our kitchen, it was about 2x as expensive as hardwood. So I guess it depends on the kind of materials you are talking about.
High quality engineered will cost more than most hardwood floors.
Having had it for a while, I wish I had put in regular hardwood. Engineered may be more stable for moist environments but its just not that wet in my kitchen so its not necessary. And I find it a little softer than the hardwood in the rest of the house. It doesnt really scratch but it gets a bit dented.