Nature breeds beauty. We love the natural warmth and texture of real wood beneath our feet. Wood floors are loved because they last for generations. Even as homes expanded and grew taller and more modern, the floors stayed beautiful. Wood also means a vast variety of grains and colors alive in nature can be brought into our homes.
This will be a once-in-a-lifetime purchase for most homeowners, and they can fully expect that their grandchildren will learn to walk on them. Also worth noting: Hardwood floors are one of the best flooring options for homeowners looking to increase the resale value of their home, with hardwood typically yielding around a 75% return on investment.
Oak, Maple and Cherry are the top three hardwood floors of choice. With real wood flooring maintenance increases.
It is best to think of engineered wood flooring as the look and feel of natural wood, compressed to a thin layer of hardwood over a plywood core. It can also withstand water and dampness.
Hardwood can be sanded, stained, distressed and refinished over decades, but is a costlier option.
The basic determining factors are personal taste, your family, and your budget.
INSTALLATION
Hardwood Flooring Installation involves nailing the wood planks to the subfloor, a project that requires some skills. Because it is solid wood, it can easily be sanded and refinished several times over its lifespan to maintain its appearance. Hardwood flooring is milled, so each run of a specific wood will involve great definition and grains. Engineered Wood Flooring is DIY-friendly and is available in glued or interlocking planks that make it easier to install. Because its top layer is just a thin layer of hardwood, it can’t be refinished as often as solid flooring, but it can still last up to 30 years and more with proper maintenance. Whether using click-and-lock or free-floating methods with a cork subfloor, these products are easiest for the average homeowner to install.
LIFESPAN AND COST
Hardwood floors can and do last lifetimes. Engineered wood floors typically last 30 years and beyond with proper maintenance and care. Hardwood floors are generally double the cost of engineered wood flooring.
The Big Question
In the end nothing will ever equal the beauty and durability of real hardwood floors. They are here to stay, and America cherishes them.
Engineered wood floors, on the other hand, will never be equaled in versatility, variety of looks, ease of install, and affordability.