subject: Hardwood Floor Advantages And Disadvantages [print this page] Installing hard wood floors in a Frisco home adds value and beauty to your home, but once you have made the decision to go with wood, how do you know what product to choose. While the decision hinges mostly on personal taste and aesthetics, there are a few things you need to know about the difference between solid wood and engineered wood floors. These two different products will have the same look, but there are some major differences that will help you decide which product is right for you.
The major difference between engineered and solid floors is in their construction. A solid wood floor is exactly that. If you chose red oak floors, your solid floor with be put down in planks of solid red oak. With an engineered floor, what you get would be a read oak veneer that varies in thickness and sub-layers of ply style construction. The plywood layers are alternated to provide strength and pressure glued into place to reinforce their durability. The construction provides the look of real wood because the veneer layer is real wood, and the ply construction provides additional strength and stability.
Solid Wood Advantages and Disadvantages
Solid wood has the distinct advantage of being able to be refinished numerous times. These floors will last a very long time if maintained properly and will age gracefully, adding character to your home. Typically, you can expect a solid floor to last between 40 to 80 years easily, with some known to last a hundred years or more. They are strong, beautiful and long lasting. Unfortunately, they are also very susceptible to moisture and temperature changes. This can lead to your floors bowing, warping or expanding and contracting which can stress the floor. Sometimes this adds to the beauty, other times it can damage it. These floors can not be installed in basements or high moisture environment.
Engineered Wood Advantages and Disadvantages
The ply style construction of engineered floors makes them much more resilient than solid wood floors, allowing them to be installed virtually anywhere. They are not as susceptible to temperature changes or moisture, due to the construction. Therefore, you will be able to have a real hardwood floor in your basement or patio if you like, despite the moisture that can build up. Engineered floors can also be easier to install using the floating floor methods. The only real disadvantage to an engineered floor is that it cannot be refinished as many times as solid wood can be, usually. This is because the veneer or wear layer is usually much thinner than solid wood planks. If you are not going to refinishing often, engineered floors are an excellent option for strength and beauty.
Both styles of floors have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. It is up to you to determine which is better for you personal application. You really cannot go wrong with hard wood floors in Frisco if you are looking to add beauty and value to your home.
