Timber flooring is popular because it brings out a classy, elegant and modern interior design. If you are new to timber flooring, you might have come across the terms engineered flooring and natural/solid hardwood flooring. Note the following to ensure you make the right choice.
What Is Solid/Natural Hardwood Flooring?
These are thick planks of wood that are cut from hardwood trees. They are dried, smoothened and treated to make them suitable for use and durable.
Solid hardwood flooring is excellent and durable, but you might find that it has some weaknesses. For example, it cannot be used in wet or high humidity areas because moisture causes damage. Sealing them for protection may work, but not for long. You might spend too much money maintaining the floor.
It is also affected by temperature changes, where it expands and contracts during hot and cold temperatures. That is why gaps are left during installation to provide room for expansion. Solid hardwood is also expensive. Hardwood trees take a long time to grow, and the fact that they are durable and have to be treated does not help lower the price.
What Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
This flooring is designed to counter the challenges faced by solid hardwood flooring, but it might not be as durable. It is made from thinner pieces of wood cut from hardwood trees. These thin pieces are then thickened using layers of plywood.
It is not affected by changes in temperature, and you don't need to leave spaces during installation. Additionally, engineered hardwood flooring is not affected by high humidity, meaning if you live in a highly humid locality and want timber flooring, you have an option. The best part is that it is cheaper than solid hardwood flooring, but if you want it to last for a long time, avoid using it in high-traffic areas.
Floor Sanding
Floor sanding is the act of smoothening the top surface of a floor that has worn out due to scratches and cuts. Since solid hardwood floors are thicker, you can sand them multiple times. An engineered floor is not as thick, meaning you can't sand it as many times as a solid hardwood floor. This is something you might want to think about when choosing between engineered and solid/natural hardwood flooring.
Flooring Specialist
Having noted the information above, it might be in your best interest to hire a flooring specialist to guide you. Various factors need to be considered before choosing solid or engineered flooring, and the flooring professional might need to visit your premises to conduct tests.
