Ready for hardwood flooring in your home? You've made a marvelous decision! Hardwood is vaunted for its looks and character (the natural choice for sprucing up your space, you might say), and can even help improve the potential resale value of your home. A question remains, however: will you be choosing solid hardwood, or engineered?
Neither option is "better", speaking in absolute terms, but each has its unique strengths and the choice will ultimately come down to your lifestyle, space, and personal style. As a nationwide leader in both varieties, Lumber Liquidators is here to help you explore your options and make the best-informed decision possible. Let's take a look at what makes each of these flooring categories special and how they can shine in your space.
Solid Hardwood Flooring
Builder's Pride - 3/4 in. Gray Fox Oak Prefinished Solid Hardwood Flooring 3.25 in. Wide
Solid hardwood planks are crafted from a continuous piece of wood, sourced from hardwood trees like oak, maple, hickory, etc. Each plank is essentially a part of the tree it came from, so on the surface you will see unique grain patterns, color variations, and textures; a one-of-a-kind piece of artistry with timeless appeal and incomparable authenticity:
- Authentic: When it comes to natural wood looks, nothing beats the original article. The irregular grain patterns, rich hues, and subtle imperfections of solid hardwood create an organic aesthetic that feels inviting and sophisticated.
- Enduring: Solid pieces of wood, as you might have guessed, are usually quite sturdy! With proper care, these floors can last decades, and you can sand/refinish them several times over their lifetime, making solid hardwood a great choice if you're in it for the long haul.
- Sustainable: Wood is a renewable resource, and solid hardwood floors from Lumber Liquidators are harvested from responsibly managed forests to prevent resource overuse.
- Valuable: Installing a hardwood floor will grant you an excellent return on investment, as this home improvement is known to increase the resale value of most homes.
Solid hardwood is best-suited for above-grade installations and areas with minimal moisture exposure. That means spaces like your living room, dining room, or bedroom (areas where natural light is ample and unique elegance can shine). While installing one of these floors could potentially be a DIY project, it's important to keep in mind that the intricacies of installing solid hardwood make it best handled by a professional, especially in areas prone to humidity fluctuations.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Bellawood -1/2 in. Select Brazilian Chestnut Prefinished Engineered Hardwood Flooring 5.13 in. Wide
Engineered hardwood planks are constructed from multiple layers, with the topmost being a veneer of real wood to provide the desired aesthetic. The layered design provides exceptional dimensional stability, which gives engineered hardwood flooring additional resistance against warping, shrinking, and expanding in response to temperature and humidity changes while retaining the natural beauty of real wood:
- Beautiful: Real wood veneers make engineered hardwood flooring indistinguishable from its solid hardwood counterparts at first glance. Its appearance and texture are identical to the "real thing," because engineered hardwood is itself the real thing!
- Versatile: Engineered hardwood flooring is suitable for all-grade installations, and can even manage moisture-prone areas, all while sporting those authentic, organic wood looks.
- Stable: Layered construction grants considerable resistance against warping, cupping, and shrinking, even in challenging or fluctuating climate conditions.
- Impactful: Many engineered hardwood options feature wide planks and long runs, creating a bold, spacious look that's ideal for contemporary interiors.
Engineered hardwood is suitable for installations at any grade, and even in basements, kitchens, and bathrooms (where the extra stability and resistance to environmental changes are critical). Additionally, the inclusion of click-locking systems on many engineered hardwood flooring options gives you plenty of flexibility if you're the type who prefers a little DIY (though it's important to bear in mind that a significant number of engineered products will benefit from a pro's touch, especially non-click, nail-down options).
Side-By-Side Comparison
Let's break it down with a comparison chart that will help you visualize the similarities and differences these two flooring types possess.
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Solid Hardwood Flooring |
Engineered Hardwood Flooring |
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Consists of planks made of one solid piece of wood. |
Consists of planks made of a veneer of wood adhered to a core. |
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Possesses a wide range of colors. |
Possesses a wide range of colors. |
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Can have deep and dramatic textures. |
Can have deep and dramatic textures. |
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Can be installed by a DIY customer, however, we recommend professional installation. |
Is DIY-friendly thanks to click and floating installation options, however, we still recommend professional installation. |
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Will expand and contract with changes in climate because its planks are solid pieces of wood. |
Is a more dimensionally stable product because its planks are made of layers of wood which are bound together using adhesives and pressure. |
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Requires the use of appropriate moisture barriers, along with controlled temperature and humidity levels within your home. |
Requires the use of appropriate moisture barriers, along with controlled temperature and humidity levels within your home. |
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Can be installed on grade (first floor or ground level) or above grade (second floor or above) over a suitable, properly prepared subfloor. |
Is appropriate for every level of your home over any suitable, properly prepared subfloor. |
Hardwood Flooring at Lumber Liquidators
At Lumber Liquidators, we pride ourselves on offering an unparalleled selection of both solid and engineered hardwood flooring, crafted to suit every style and space! Whether you're drawn to the timeless elegance of solids or the modern versatility of engineered, our carefully curated selection ensures you'll find the perfect fit for your home:
- Bellawood: When you want a floor as unique as you are, the natural choice is Bellawood. Rich colors, bold textures, classic character – this array of solid and engineered hardwood flooring combines the best elements of a time-honored natural material to create an unmistakably alluring ambiance for your home.
- Virginia Mill Works: You want your floors to tell a story; Virginia Mill Works is here to narrate it with style. This selection of solid and engineered hardwood features an array of distressed finishes and hand-scraped textures, allowing you to create a space that speaks volumes with every plank.
- Builder's Pride: For those who value timeless simplicity and sleek design, Builder’s Pride offers hardwood flooring that brings effortless sophistication to your home. With smooth, polished surfaces and clean lines, this collection provides a versatile foundation that complements both classic and modern styles.
- Mayflower: You can have elegant hardwood flooring and plenty left in your home renovation budget with Mayflower, the perfect synthesis of timeless appeal and practical value. These floors offer classic good looks across a carefully curated selection of hardwood species -- complementing any décor without overwhelming your wallet.
- RL Colston: RL Colston offers hardwood flooring with endless possibilities. Designed for those who appreciate the craftsmanship and creativity of custom finishes, this collection of unfinished hardwood allows you to bring your vision to life.
Our assortment spans a vast array of hardwood species, each offering distinct textures, color, and character, including red oak, white oak, maple, hickory, acacia, and a host of exotic hardwoods that will make a bold statement in your space.
Which Will You Choose?
Remember, in the end, the right hardwood flooring pick for your home depends on your lifestyle, priorities, and the unique needs of your home. Whether it's solid or engineered hardwood that best fits the bill, Lumber Liquidators can help you make the best choice for the job and ensure it gets installed the right way. Ready to transform your space? Continue exploring our options here online, or head to your local Lumber Liquidators store to speak with a Flooring Expert to get your project started!
