You’re renovating – or you’re building from the ground up. You may be asking yourself: should you go with engineered or solid hardwood flooring installation in your Calgary home? We’re here to help you make that hard decision.
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood floors are made from – you guessed it! – hard wood. Solid hardwood flooring comes from mature trees that are milled, sanded, and stained or finished. Each solid hardwood board is comprised of one piece of hardwood that’s approximately ¾ of an inch thick. Solid hardwood comes from the environment and it’s good for the environment; when it’s sustainably sourced, it’s one of the most environmentally friendly flooring options. Because it comes from nature, its texture and grain are both natural and organic. You can stain and finish it in many ways; there are several unique stain selections available – especially for lighter hardwood. Further, it is easy to clean, and it can be refinished multiple times if it gets scratched. If your solid hardwood is reclaimed or hand-scraped, you may even opt to leave minor damage as is to enhance its character.
Engineered Hardwood
Given that it comes straight from nature, solid hardwood flooring cannot be duplicated, but engineered flooring does its best to imitate it. It’s often confused with laminate, but it costs less; it’s typically about the same price as solid hardwood. Unlike solid hardwood, engineered hardwood is not solid wood. It is made of fiberboard or plywood with a thin real-wood veneer on top and the planks are usually wider and thinner. Like solid hardwood, they can typically be refinished – but only a couple of times. In terms of installation, some varieties feature “click lock” edges, which some DIYers prefer. Engineered hardwood is easy to clean; however, it’s not as durable or as easy to maintain as solid hardwood.
The Winner: Solid Hardwood
Hardwood flooring may be an investment, but it’s one worth making. It truly stands the test of time. It can last for generations, and it can be an appealing feature for generations to come. (Fifty-four percent of homebuyers would spend more on a home that has hardwood flooring.)
Solid hardwood flooring is the solid choice for your next flooring project. If you’re looking for hardwood floor installation in Calgary, look no further than Bull Tough Flooring. Give us a call today!