The two main reasons why most people consider a new flooring are either wear and tear or a new look. In both cases wood floorings are a popular choice for a number of reasons.
- Aesthetics
- Warmth
- Durability
- Versatile
- Acoustics
Wooden flooring gives warmth and elegance to a home or office. It also adds a touch of nature to a living space, aiding rest and/or productivity.
Real Wood or Engineered Wood
Should you opt for wood flooring, the next big question is which type fits your style and budget the best? Basically, there are two types of wooden flooring on the market worth considering: the real wood and engineered wood. Find out how these two compare.
Cost
Depending on the wood type and design, in most cases engineered wood is the cheaper option. Installation costs vary a lot but there is better chance of you being able to install the engineered wood flooring yourself than real wood flooring.
Short term maintenance costs are approximately the same for both floor types but engineered wood does not need the regular refurbishing real wood often needs.
Quality
If value for money is a priority then engineered wood should be your choice. It is less costly compared to real wood flooring, more durable and resistant to scratches and dents, easier to maintain and more resistant to high temperatures and increased humidity. Real wood is more prone to “crowning” (where it curves upward) and “cupping” (where it appears concave or “dished”) when humidity is high.
Nevertheless nothing can replace the real thing, real wood has its price and inconveniences but it also has a specific “charm”.
Variety
Wooden flooring gives character and adds value to your home. When it comes to the flooring that best suits your taste and style. No worries! Real wood and engineered wood are available in a wide variety of styles and colors. The only big difference is that real wood is limited to specific sizes, whilst engineered wood comes in many different widths and lengths.
Installation
Another thing to keep in mind about wooden flooring is how they are installed. For real wood, which are thicker than engineered wood, they are usually installed by nailing or gluing to the subfloor. Engineered wood products, on the other hand, can be installed in a number of ways, like floating installation where individual planks are locked together without gluing them to the subfloor. This type of installation is fast, easy and less damaging to the subfloor.
Underfloor or radiant heating: A big plus for engineered wood flooring is its compatibility with modern heating systems. This alone can be a dealbreaker for real wood floors in many projects.
Closing words
Choosing wood over other flooring options is usually a question of taste. The decision between real wood and engineered wood can depend on the subground,heating system, budget, maintenance or life cycle cost calculations.
