{"id":14849,"date":"2017-08-16T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-08-16T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/architizer.wpengine.com\/engineered-vs-solid-hardwood-flooring\/"},"modified":"2022-05-31T06:30:33","modified_gmt":"2022-05-31T10:30:33","slug":"engineered-vs-solid-hardwood-flooring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/architizer.com\/blog\/practice\/details\/engineered-vs-solid-hardwood-flooring\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Is Better? Engineered vs. Solid Hardwood Flooring"},"content":{"rendered":"

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizer<\/a>\u00a0and sign up for our\u00a0inspirational newsletters<\/a>.<\/em><\/p><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s talk timber. More specifically, let\u2019s talk solid vs. engineered wood flooring. There\u2019s a sheer difference between the two types, and it\u2019s key that architects get the dirt on which one\u2019s which and why the right kind \u2014 and its respective thickness \u2014 might best benefit a project.<\/p>\n

But before we dig deep into the material and how it\u2019s processed into pristine architectural flooring, there\u2019s something you need to know: Wood moves. Timber is constantly in a state of expansion and contraction due to the levels of moisture it\u2019s surrounded by, and that\u2019s a problem if you\u2019re trying to slap down a stable product that\u2019s sturdy enough to walk on and hold hundreds of pounds of furniture. Modern wood flooring manufacturers must craft planks that minimize or restrict this natural movement. The easiest way to do this is through engineered wood.<\/p>\n

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White Oak engineered wood wide-plank flooring; image via Carlisle <\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

That\u2019s fake wood, right? No, engineered wood flooring isn\u2019t fake wood per se. In fact, it\u2019s 100 percent made of wood, but it\u2019s not homogenous. It consists of thinly sliced layers of hardwood over top of a cross-plywood base. Engineered wood is significantly cheaper than solid hardwood and can be quickly adhered to another wooden surface, a concrete floor or a soundproofing mat. Plus, it\u2019s easy to install over radiant heat \u2014 hence less expansion and contraction.<\/p>\n

But engineered wood is simply a veneer for your floor. By definition, it is slender and therefore can be difficult to sand or refinish after years of wear and tear because it\u2019s so thin. Even the best of its kind can only handle up to three finishes.<\/p>\n

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Image via flooriations.me<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

Certain manufacturers, like New Hampshire\u2013based Carlisle Wide Plank Floors<\/a>, suggest a maximum veneer of 3\/16 of an inch thick with a 9-ply or 11-ply core \u2014 resulting in a 5\/8- to 3\/4-inch-thick plank. That\u2019s way above normal. The average industry standard for the wear layer (or veneer) on engineered wood flooring ranges from 1\/12 to 1\/8 inch thick, but it truly depends on the cut coming from the company you\u2019re working with.<\/p>\n

Carlisle notes there are two methods of cutting the veneer layer: dry-sawn face done with a saw blade; or a sliced and rotary-peeled face done with a knife blade. The former gives you a thicker veneer layer \u2014 one that\u2019s similar to solid hardwood flooring, while the latter produces a thinner veneer layer usually around 1\/13 inch. In this case, the result ends up looking more like plywood and is susceptible to future water damage thanks to the boiling process before the wood gets peeled.<\/p>\n

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Image via Carlisle<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

Another important factor to consider is width. Typical flooring of this kind is usually 3 inches wide and 3 feet long, but the wider and longer the plank, the less seams will be seen. Six- to 10-inch-wide boards with lengths ranging from 2- to 12-feet-long can reduce the appearance of seams by up to 500 percent, according to Carlisle.<\/p>\n

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Solid Hardwood Flooring; image via Carlisle<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

Pure, solid hardwood flooring, which comes from a single species, can be specified at the same overall thickness, width and length as engineering wood flooring but is generally considered stronger because each plank is one continuous natural piece of wood. Armstrong Flooring<\/a><\/b>recommends installing planks that are 3\/4 inches thick \u2014 the industry standard \u2014 so that any future finishing efforts won\u2019t diminish the floor\u2019s overall strength.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s safe to assume each round of sanding will take away approximately 1\/8 inch off the surface of the floor, but keep in mind that sanding has a stopping point. The tongue-and-groove portion of the plank must never be interfered with. Solid hardwood is normally nailed or stapled to a wooden subfloor at or above grade, and, depending on thickness, it can significantly decrease the floor-to-ceiling height of a space. It is also much more susceptible to shrinking and expanding, as mentioned before. Every precaution must be taken to ensure its stability.<\/p>\n

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Image via<\/i> dogmainrecords<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

Choosing the right wood flooring for a project is not a simple task. Each project might require a little finessing based on its location, size and the depth of performance needed. But to make the most basic decision on wood flooring, you must be aware of these things and seek out manufacturers that will produce the right product for you. It\u2019s all about the difference between thick and thin wood. Once that\u2019s clear, it\u2019s time to move on to finishings and coatings and, if you\u2019ve completely given up on natural wood, look at laminates.<\/p>\n

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizer<\/a>\u00a0and sign up for our\u00a0inspirational newsletters<\/a>.<\/em><\/p><\/p>\n

Header image via WB Designs<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s going down. We\u2019re laying timber.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"architizer_featured_type":"projects","architizer_featured_image":"2171375","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,2],"tags":[],"architizer_project":[],"architizer_brand":[],"architizer_firm":[],"architizer_product":[],"class_list":["post-14849","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-details","category-practice"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhich Is Better? 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