When it comes to hardwood flooring, there’s solid hardwood and engineered hardwood. People are always asking me which one is better, both have their pros and cons.
Solid hardwood floors are just that — they’re made from solid wood. Each board of solid hardwood flooring is made from a single piece of hardwood. Because it’s so thick, it can be sanded down and refinished for however long the flooring is in the house.
But the main problem with solid hardwood is that it shrinks and expands depending on the humidity in your home.
Then there’s engineered hardwood flooring. It’s made of layers of wood, bonded together with adhesives under intense heat and pressure. It doesn’t shrink or expand, which makes it resistant to warping. And it’s considered very strong and stable. It can also be sanded and refinished — not as much as hardwood, but a few times over a couple decades is fine. Unlike solid hardwood, engineered hardwood can go over concrete.
In both cases hardwood and engineered hardwood, water does not mix. If they get wet, there is the potential for mold and water damage. That’s why you never wet mop engineered hardwood floors — or any hardwood floor for that matter. Many professionals say that engineered hardwood in the kitchen is fine. As long as you wipe up any spills quickly, you don’t need to worry.
When it comes to wear and tear with engineered hardwood, it can get scratched or dented. I love engineered hardwood, but as with everything else, you need to do your homework.
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