You know you want wood floors, but you might not be familiar with all your options. The biggest decision you’ll have to make is between solid and engineered varieties. Luckily, Floor Coverings International of Toms River, NJ® can help you learn all the important information about engineered wood flooring vs hardwood options, so you can pick which will fit your home best.
Consider the Benefits of Solid Hardwood
Solid, natural hardwood features hickory, maple, exotic, and oak varieties with unique grain patterns. You can have your natural wood pre-finished at our workshop or finished on-site after we complete the installation, based on your preferences. Solid wood has natural beauty and long-lasting durability that brings warmth and character to your home.
It’s also eco-friendly and can be refinished multiple times to stay in great condition over the years. However, natural wood can be a costly initial investment, and the refinishing process can be lengthy and messy. Most notably, this type of wood is also susceptible to scratches and damage from moisture or fluctuating temperatures. So, if your space is overly humid or prone to water spillage, real wood may not be your best bet.
Get Key Information About Engineered Wood
Many people wonder what does engineered wood even mean, especially when compared to natural wood. Engineered hardwood is real wood, it’s just designed for added stability with a combination of hardwood planks and a natural wood veneer. This wood type shares the same beauty and eco-friendly properties of solid wood, but with a few added benefits. These include…
- Easy installation – engineered wood can be installed over subfloors or in basements.
- Better price – engineered wood is more cost-effective than real wood.
- Plank versatility – engineered wood is offered in wider widths for more design potential.
- Added strength – engineered wood is more resistant to moisture and temperature changes.
If you want warm, natural beauty and long-lasting performance without having to worry about fluctuating humidity or high prices, you should consider installing engineered hardwood flooring.
Can You Refinish Engineered Hardwood Floors?
One of the big draws of wood flooring is the ability to refinish and restain it multiple times to keep up appearances and ensure longevity. So, it’s important to ask if you can restain engineered hardwood in the same way. The short answer is no, not all types of engineered wood can be refinished and stained as easily as natural varieties can. It all depends on what type you choose.
You can sand engineered hardwood and refinish it as long as you have a thick top veneer around 3mm or more. Thinner veneers shouldn’t be sanded, but you can often lightly buff these before applying a new topcoat. It’s important to ask a professional what the best course of action is, so you don’t end up damaging your floors.
How to Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors
Taking proper care of your flooring is key, so the materials can last you for decades. The best engineered wood flooring cleaning process involves the following steps:
- First, remove any dry debris by sweeping or vacuuming the surface.
- Second, choose a pH-neutral cleaner that’s formulated for engineered wood floors.
- Then, lightly mist the cleaner onto the mop and wipe in the direction of the wood grain.
- Finally, dry the floors thoroughly as soon as you’re done mopping.
While a big factor of these floors is that engineered hardwood is water resistant, you should still avoid excess moisture exposure as much as possible.
Proper Installation Goes a Long Way
There are also proper steps to take during your floor installation to make sure the materials stay in great condition. You might already be aware that solid hardwood often needs to acclimate to its environment before installation, so maybe you’re wondering does engineered hardwood need to acclimate, too? Yes, it does! Even though its construction makes it more stable than natural wood, engineered floors still need to adjust to the moisture and temperature levels in your space to avoid buckling after installation.
Book a Solid or Engineered Hardwood Installation in Toms River, NJ Today
You don’t have to struggle between engineered hardwood flooring vs solid hardwood options by yourself. Floor Coverings International of Toms River, NJ® is here to answer all your questions honestly and guide you through the selection process, so you pick wood floors that truly work for your home. Dial (848) 315-3001 or submit our online form today for a free in-home consultation.
