Engineered wood flooring is a better choice in high-moisture environments than solid hardwood, making it a better option for kitchens, bathrooms and basements. But, for whole-house installations, both flooring options offer a wide range of style choices.
So, if you have a building with a basement level, and you still want a hardwood floor to enhance the appearance of the area, an engineered hardwood floor will be a much more durable choice than a solid hardwood or a laminate. On top of each of these layers is a veneer of genuine hardwood.
Is Engineered Hardwood More Expensive Than Solid Hardwood? Engineered hardwood is typically less expensive than hardwood flooring as ranges in price from about $2.50 to $10 per square foot, while hardwood typically averages about $4 to $12 per square foot.
Engineered hardwood flooring is the perfect middle ground. It's more expensive than imitation laminate or vinyl but not as expensive as traditional hardwood. Unlike imitation laminate or vinyl though engineered hardwood is the same in appearance and texture to traditional hardwood, but it will often be cheaper.
Engineered wood floors are “fake” and “cheap” compared to solid wood floors. For some of the very inexpensive engineered floors, this might be true. But a quality engineered floor will look and feel exactly like a high-quality solid hardwood floor. Engineered wood won't cup or gap.
Scratches, Dents and Other Small Marks
Due to the fact that engineered flooring has a top layer of solid wood it is actually susceptible to the same drawbacks of having solid hardwood floors such as easily being scratched and dented.
Most Durable Hardwood Flooring
Ebony, cherry, live oak, or bamboo are the most durable choices. These extremely hard woods (and wood-like bamboo) wear well and are more resistant to minor damage than other options.
Given the average price to install engineered wood per square foot, we can calculate that it would cost between $3,000 and $8,000 to professionaly install 1,000 square feet of engineered hardwood.
Engineered hardwood has slightly better performance in humid locations since its plywood construction makes it more stable and less susceptible to warping. If installation against a concrete subfloor is necessary, engineered hardwood is the choice.
Both engineered hardwood and vinyl plank flooring are extremely durable. However, these both come with their own list of pros and cons. Vinyl planks are more resistant to scratches, chipping, and other surface damages.
The good news is, engineered hardwood floors are created with durability in mind. Plus, with a resistance to changes in humidity, they're less likely to warp or buckle in a room where water is just a part of life, making the LIFECORE Hardwood Collection a great choice for the kitchen.
Engineering Wood Flooring
Not as durable as solid wood and lasts up to 20 to 40 years. Resistant to temperature changes and does not warp or change dimensions when exposed to moisture. Click-lock or glue-down forms of engineered wood are effortless to work and can be installed on many subfloor types.
Engineered hardwood is often (but not always) more stable. Because of its layers, it's often stronger than solid hardwood. And, because the layers are perpendicular to each other, there is usually less expansion and contraction, so it allows for a tighter fit, especially during the winter when it's more dry.
Most engineered wood floors can get wet and are water-resistant but to a certain degree. Liquid spilled on the engineered wood floors should ideally be wiped dry immediately or at the latest within 2-3 hours. Damage can occur when water gets into the cracks and joints and soak the floor's core.
YES! Engineered hardwood is the “real deal,” just like solid. There aren't many differences between the ROI of these two products. This product increases a home's value in a few ways: You'll recoup 70% to 80% of your investment as seen in your property values.
Engineered wood installation runs from $4 to $9 per square foot. Nationwide, homeowners pay an average of $3,200 for solid wood floors and an average of $4,700 for engineered wooden floors — including all materials and labor costs — according to Thumbtack.
Installing hardwood flooring averages between $6 and $12 per square foot. On average, wood flooring costs between $3 and $7 per square foot for materials and $3 to $5 per square foot for labor. An estimate for installation of 1000 square feet of hardwood flooring runs between $6,000 and $12,000.
Selecting a floor such as Hickory, Hard Maple or White Oak can protect your floor from damage, as these hardwoods are less susceptible to scratches than softer woods like Pine, Cherry or Black Walnut. Hardwoods with more dramatic grain patterns can help to hide scratches more easily.
Ipe Hardwood
Ipe or Brazilian walnut is top-notch if you want the hardest and most durable flooring on the market. It boasts a Janka rating of 3,680, making it extremely hard to dent. Aside from its extreme hardness, it's good for a few other reasons as well. One reason is that it's available in many colors.
Engineered Hardwood Floors
The sub-layers of engineered flooring can be of the same species or of different species, while the top layer is always high-quality wood. The durability of engineered floors means that they can better withstand scratches from your pet's nails.
Mop with a damp mop.
Engineered wood flooring stands up better to moisture than standard hardwood floors, but it's not waterproof. Mop with a damp (not soaking wet) mop. Don't let any areas puddle.
Prefinished engineered hardwood floors are much more durable and longer lasting, however, and are a great option for dog owners who love the warm appeal of wood flooring. An engineered hardwood flooring like Nydree's Hardwoof will resist dog scratches and has a finish that goes beyond the floor's surface.