Why Engineered Hardwood? The Pros and Cons to Hardwood vs. Engineered Hardwood!

Hardwood is one of the top choices when it comes to choosing a floor covering for the home. When choosing a hardwood floor there are many different things to look for and the decision of choosing a hardwood or an engineered hardwood is an important one. For some people choosing between these two flooring options is an easy decision, however this blog is written to inform you the consumer of the pros and cons of each product, to ensure you make an educated decision before investing in your beautiful new floor.

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Hardwood Flooring	Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Construction Is made out of solid wood generally ¾” thick with a tongue and groove construction that is designed to be nailed down to a wood subfloor above grade.	Construction Has a plywood base with a solid wood top and can be made anywhere from ⅜” to ¾” thick with a tongue and groove construction designed to be nailed down to a wood subfloor, floated over any subfloor above or below grade or glued down to any subfloor above or below grade.
Can it be refinished? Solid ¾” hardwood can be sanded down several times and refinished!	Can it be refinished? Certain engineered hardwoods can also be sanded down, however others may not be sanded down depending on the thickness of the solid wood top layer.
Humidity Solid hardwood is a natural product and  should maintain a relative humidity of 45-55% or cupping, bowing, shrinking and growing is likely to occur.	Humidity Because of the plywood base and cross grain engineering, an engineered floor moves far less than a solid hardwood does with humidity constantly changing.
Will it Scratch and dent? Is made out of wood, it will scratch, ding and dent if things are dragged across it and or dropped on it.	Will it Scratch and dent? Is made out of the same wood as solid wood is. It will scratch, ding and dent if things are dragged across it and or dropped on it.
Cost Solid hardwood is a natural product that has high costs to milling and finishing.	Cost Although some people think it should be less than solid, engineered wood is often the same or more money as there are cost associated with engineering it as well as milling and finishing it.
Finished Look When installed you have a natural looking product with no two board the same, giving you the natural look you have always wanted.	Finished Look When installed it looks identical to solid wood, the real wood layer on the top gives you the very same look you get from a solid wood
Wide Plank We do not suggest you purchase a solid wood over 5” wide, because the wider the board, the more likely it is to cup or bow.	Wide Plank We have engineered flooring 9.5” wide that we stand behind and have very minor cupping if any.

So visually there is no difference between a hardwood floor and an engineered hardwood floor, the cost is about the same, certain engineered hardwoods can be refinished like Mirage Engineered both products will scratch and dent..... So what is the big difference?? The difference is Engineered hardwood is designed to move much less than a solid wood! MY WOOD FLOOR CAN MOVE? Yes it can and it will! In winter months your wood will dry out, shrink and bow and in summer months your floor will moisten up, expand and cup, your floor will move with the humidity level in your home. The wider the wood plank the more it will move!

Therefor I always recommend if you are purchasing a new wide plank hardwood floor product to choose an engineered hardwood floor. I also recommend you purchase a Mirage Engineered Floor because there is a big difference from the average Chinese made product to the absolute best Canadian quality made product that is Mirage. For more info on why you should choose Mirage check out my blog post What Hardwood Flooring Brand Should I Choose?