Hardwood is a classic flooring choice that brings unique character and fits beautifully with any style. But traditional wood floors can be challenging to keep in humid climates, like we have in Houston.

That’s where engineered wood floors could make all the difference!

Here, we’ll discuss the differences between solid wood and engineered wood flooring, why engineered wood could be a great fit for your home, and how to find quality floors you’ll love.

If you’re ready to upgrade your flooring and browse a beautiful collection of hardwood from home, your local Floor Coverings International® team in Houston Memorial is ready to bring samples to you for a convenient in-home floor selection.

You can reach out to start your free consultation today.

What Is Engineered Hardwood?

First, let’s break down what engineered hardwood really is. Is it real wood? Or is it man-made? To be entirely accurate, it’s both.

Since engineered wood is designed with a layer of real hardwood bonded under heat and pressure to a strong plywood core, the wood has more stability to expand and contract with changing environments, which reduces warping and buckled floors.

And thanks to the real wood surface layer, once the flooring is installed, it looks almost identical to traditional solid wood floors.

Defining the Difference: Real Hardwood Floors vs. Engineered Wood Floors

While both solid wood and engineered wood bring the rich beauty that homeowners love, there are a few key differences between the two:

  • Handling humidity: the main difference between hardwood and engineered wood floors is how they handle humidity. Solid wood floors can easily warp from exposure to moisture in our humid Texas climate. On the other hand, engineered wood floors lower the risk of warping by offering more stability in humid conditions.
  • Refinishing: A beautiful aspect of wood flooring is that even when it becomes old and damaged, it can be refinished to revive the beautiful grain, and you can enjoy floors that look like new. As a solid layer of wood, traditional wood floors can often be sanded and refinished several times, while for engineered wood, it’s important to consider the wear layer thickness before refinishing at all.
  • Installation: To avoid the moisture issues that can come with installing directly over the concrete subfloors common in Houston, solid wood floors are often secured to a wooden subfloor, which may involve adding additional height with a wood base layer over your existing concrete subfloor. This contrasts with engineered wood floors, which are built with a wood-base layer already, and offer a floating or click-lock system that makes installation much faster and less labor-intensive.

The Benefits of Engineered Hardwood

Wood floors have been a favorite in homes for hundreds of years, and engineered wood continues its legacy with modern designs that can make it more suitable for your Texas home than other wood floors.

Here's why:

  • You get the same rich wood experience. After installation, you’ll have the look, feel, and texture of wood floors—because it is real
  • It's more stable against humidity. Engineered wood’s layers allow it to expand and contract with more stability. Although this doesn’t make the wood waterproof, and it certainly doesn’t mean it can’t warp, it does make the floors better suited for our humid Houston environment.
  • You can choose from multiple woods, stains, and finishes. With a wide range of beautiful wood options, including classics like hickory and oak, as well as more exclusive choices like acacia, engineered wood floors offer just as many varieties of wood species, stains, and finishing options as you would have with solid wood. You can even choose a custom stain for floors finished on-site.
  • It can be more eco-friendly. Since the wear layer is the only part made of slow-growing hardwood and the core can include less specific fast-growing wood types, engineered wood flooring is often less expensive and can be less damaging to the environment.
  • It makes installation simpler. Since engineered wood flooring can be installed easily over a wood or concrete subfloor and uses floating or click-lock installation, it’s quicker and easier to install.

How to Choose Engineered Hardwood for Your Texas Home

When you’re looking for quality engineered hardwood flooring for your Texas home, there are a few things you’ll want to consider. For instance, the thickness of the wear layer and the core material are significant factors that determine how well your floors will function.

Here's what to look for when you’re choosing engineered hardwood flooring:

  • Look at veneer thickness. This wear layer determines your ability to refinish your floors. For general quality in a residential home, look for 2mm to 3mm thickness levels. But if you want to refinish your flooring several times, or plan to use it in high-traffic areas, opt for 4mm or more.
  • Consider core material. Engineered wood comes with either plywood or HDF (high-density fiberboard). Both are strong options, but since plywood is made with cross-layered sheets of wood, it offers more stability for expansion from moisture changes.
  • Choose your finish type. You can choose to have your floors pre-finished with durable factory-applied stain and sealant, or you can work with teams, like our skilled installers, to have your floors finished onsite and choose a unique stain color to enjoy a custom, built-in look.
  • Find a balance that fits your budget. Another consideration to look at is cost. You'll find that, although engineered wood flooring is typically less than traditional solid wood, it can still be a big investment for your home. Since you’ll generally find more affordable options with thinner wear layers, it’s best to find a balance with the price you’re willing to pay and a thickness level you can trust for long-lasting floors.

Ready to Update Your Home with Rich Wood Floors?

So, is engineered hardwood flooring real wood? Absolutely! And as a charming, authentic wood flooring, engineered wood brings many wonderful benefits that Houston homeowners love. By looking at the veneer thickness, core material, and choosing a finish that works for your home, you’ll find stunning floors that brighten any room with timeless charm.

If you’re thinking about installing engineered hardwood flooring in Katy and the surrounding area, our team at Floor Coverings International® of Houston Memorial, TX, offers personalized flooring services to help you find the perfect fit for your home.

Reach out for a free in-home consultation or call us at (281) 720-3688 to start installing beautiful wood floors today.