Solid hardwood vs engineered hardwood
The same surface, a different core. Both are real wood on top; solid is wood all the way through and engineered is a veneer on plywood. The choice is about where the floor is going and how many times it will be refinished, not about how it looks.
| Solid hardwood | Engineered hardwood | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | $12.50–$19 / sq ft | $11.50–$16.50 / sq ft |
| Water resistance | Very poor | Poor |
| Durability | Good | Good |
| Maintenance | Fair | Fair |
| Lifespan | 50–100 years | 20–50 years |
| DIY difficulty | A trade | Moderate |
| Pets | Poor | Poor |
| Kids | Fair | Fair |
Choose solid hardwood when
Choose solid when the subfloor is wood, the climate is moderate, and you want a floor that can be sanded again and again for generations. It is the simpler product and the one with the longest track record.
Choose engineered hardwood when
Choose engineered when the floor is on a concrete slab, in a basement, in a humid or very dry climate, or when you want wide planks that stay flat. Ask for the veneer thickness in millimeters: 3 mm and up can be refinished, 2 mm cannot.
Common questions
Is engineered hardwood real wood?
Yes. The top layer is a slice of real hardwood; the layers under it are plywood or fiberboard. It is not laminate, which is a photograph.
Which is more expensive?
They overlap. A thick-veneer engineered plank costs as much as solid; a thin-veneer one costs less and lasts less.
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