Having a hardwood floor installed in your home is a great way to improve the value of your property and add a touch of classical beauty to your home. Hardwood floors have a long life expectancy, between 75 and 100 years with proper maintenance. There are of course some considerations to make when choosing hardwood floors when you set out to purchase your flooring materials from Carpet Wagon. Solid hardwood floors are the traditional choice in hardwood flooring. These floors are composed of solid planks of wood about of ¾” thickness that are then nailed in place. Engineered hardwood on the other hand is produced by layering three to five layers of thin sheets of hardwood set in alternating grain patterns that are bonded together through heat and pressure in a similar process to lamination. Each type has its own advantages depending on the specifics of your home.

Heat & Humidity Resistance

Solid hardwood floors are very susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity in your home. The boards tend to expand and contract as the seasons change. Thus, if you live in an area with a relatively stable climate, this should not be a problem, but in areas which experience large changes in climate you may notice that in winter gaps may be more visible. This is not a safety concern, but may not be aesthetically pleasing. Engineered hardwood floors are temperature and humidity resistant, meaning they will not change with the season, giving a more consistent look throughout the year.

Floor Strength

Engineered hardwood floors tend to be a bit stronger than solid hardwood due to the alternating of grain patterns in each layer. That is not to say you should expect to go falling through a solid wood floor, but if you intend to place very heavy furniture, say a grand piano, you may feel safer on engineered wood.

Ease of Repair

When damaged, solid wood floors can be spot repair by sanding and refinishing the damaged area. This is not an option with engineered floors as sanding would reveal the alternate grain pattern on the lower layer.  Damaged engineered floors will require replacement.

Aging

Engineered hardwood is not as photosensitive as solid wood flooring meaning that it will not change color over time do to sunlight exposure. Solid hardwood tends to bleach over time, however many homeowners consider this a blessing rather than a curse as it tends to highlight the grain, knots and burl of the wood. Now you’ve got some choices to make. No matter what flooring selections you choose, do so with CarpetWagon.com!