This article describes the benefits of engineered hardwood flooring compared to solid wood flooring, and we also discuss some of the myths about both types of wood floors.
Due to its intrinsic advantages, most of the natural wood flooring installed in North America is of ‘engineered’ construction. Engineered wood flooring is 100% real wood and is made in two ways: 3-ply (top layer of hardwood with multiple backing layers made from plywood). Often it is supplied prefinished, with the colors and finish already applied to the hardwood surface.
LIFE – SPAN
Engineered Wood
Most engineered wood floors will last up to 35 years or a lifetime, depending on their wear and tear. The 2.5mm to 4mm or even a 6mm hardwood top layer can be sanded many times over the life of the floor. If your floor has a natural finish, then you can maintain the finish regularly by adding some oil to the floor – scratches can be repaired in this way.
Solid wood
Solid wood planks can only be sanded down just above the level of the plank tongue. This means that only 5-6mm of flooring will be available for sanding. Solid hardwood should last up to 50 years to a lifetime. We believe the lifespan of solid wood compared to engineered wood is constantly overstated most engineered wood flooring will last you just as long.
COST
Engineered Wood
Most engineered wood flooring is supplied prefinished with color and finish (lacquer, UV oil, or natural oil) applied in the factory. The cost to apply the finish in a factory is inexpensive, due to this it’s a very competitive, finished floor that is ready to live on after installation.
Solid Hardwood
By comparison, most solid wood flooring is supplied as raw planks and must be finished on site; this involves messy & time – consuming sanding and application of several layers of finish at great expense.
FINISH QUALITY
Engineered Wood
The finish is applied in modern state-of-the-art factories using the latest European automated coating lines on the floor, uneven coating texture, flaking finishes, or other common problems associated with site-finished floors.
Solid Hardwood
You must put all of your belief in the floor-skill sanders and assurance that they will utilize top-notch finishes as the finish is applied within the home. In comparison to the wide variety of high-tech industrial finishes available in Europe, the choice of finishes available to floor sanders in North America is somewhat limited.
Hardwood Flooring on Sale in Hamilton
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