If you’re looking to add warmth and beauty to your home, nothing compares to genuine hardwood flooring. hardwood floors are both made from 100% real wood, but there are significant differences in their overall construction. Engineered wood floors behave a little differently than solid plank floors do. They tend to be easier to install and are usually less expensive than solid hardwood. However, not all wood floors are created equal. Depending on the type or species of wood the flooring is made from will determine what type of performance qualities it has. Understanding these differences will go a long way to help you choose the wood floor that’s right for your home. Solid hardwood floors are just that — they’re made from solid wood. Each board of solid hardwood flooring is made from a single piece of hardwood that’s about 3/4 of an inch thick. Because it’s so thick it can be sanded down and refinished for however long the flooring is in the house.

Engineered hardwood is a versatile and resilient flooring option that can be installed in most areas of your home. genuine wood, this flooring gives your home an updated look and feel. Engineered hardwood is made of a core of hardwood or plywood with a layer of hardwood veneer affixed to the top surface. It’s more resistant to moisture and heat compared to solid Solid hardwood expands and contracts in reaction to changes in moisture and temperature, so solid wood floors are only recommendedCheap Used Furniture Pittsburgh Pa for rooms at ground level or above.Food For Older Cats That Vomit The unique construction of engineered wood creates a structure that is less likely to buckle, gap, or react to fluctuationsWhere To Buy Hawaiian Gold Fishing Rod

in humidity and temperature. You can install engineered flooring on any level, including below ground. It's a great choice for finished basements and bathrooms. Both solid and engineered hardwood floors are designed for beauty and durability. Their tough surface can stand up to activeHowever, both solid and engineered hardwood flooring have different performance attributes.Because of expansion and contraction issues, installers will normally leave a gap between the wall and the floor to accommodate swelling. This type of flooring should only be installed in parts of the home above grade and only over plywood, wood or oriented strand board subfloors. Engineered floors have enhanced stability, which provides slightly more resistance to everyday wear- and-tear and also toSolid hardwood floors are more prone to shrinking or expanding based on humidity levels. Engineered wood floors can be more resistant to moisture and offer a bit more stability than solid hardwood.

product can tolerate water laying on it, the increased moisture levels over concrete aren't a problem for most engineeredUnlike solid hardwood, engineered hardwood can go over concrete under the right conditions. Solid hardwood flooring can be glued, nailed or stapled to a wood subfloor. These types of installations are best left to the pros, since they can challenge even experienced DIYers. Engineered wood floors can be either nailed down or glued down, like a traditional hardwood installation. They can also be installed as "floating" floors, in which the boards attach to each other and "float" above the subfloor. Whoever installs your solid hardwood floors must have enough experience to leave the right amount of space for hardwood’s natural expansion and contraction. The individual boards can’t be too tight or too loose. If they’re too tight your floorIf it’s too loose the gaps between the boards will get too wide in the winter. Solid hardwood flooring installation is perhaps the most challenging of all flooring types.

However with the right tools and planning skilled DIYers can handle the job with stunning results. If you’re unsure if you’re up to the task, review our DIY skill assessment, so you know what to expect. Engineered hardwood flooring is an easier and faster DIY installation. Armstrong engineered hardwood flooring comes with aThis simple two-step process eliminates the need for messy glue or nails. Both engineered and solid hardwood flooring can be refinished. Solid hardwood can be refinished up to 10 times depending onEngineered boards requires less refinishing over its lifetime – typically only one or two times. Refinishing your hardwood floors can be a DIY project, but it requires some skill and a bit of patience. can range between $200-$300 dollars. If you’re not completely confident in your skill level, you may want to consider hiring The cost of solid vs. engineered hardwood is typically dependent on the quality and species of the wood. hardwood, such as maple, may be more expensive than engineered flooring.

For more common hardwoods, solid wood flooring may be cheaper overall, although it will take longer to install. The layers in the buildup underneath the top layer of engineered hardwood also play a role in the final price. anywhere between three and 12 layers of plywood and unfinished white wood, depending on the thickness and quality of the finishedArmstrong's price estimator is a helpful tool to get an estimate for the cost of buying and installing a hardwoodHardwood flooring is a natural, durable but expensive flooring option for homes. Vinyl flooring is cheaper, but a less durable, synthetic alternative. Hardwood floors are usually favored for their durability, better aesthetic and resale value. However, because of the significant difference in costs, extremely easy installation, and resistance to moisture, vinyl floors are gaining increasing popularity. Another popular alternative to both vinyl and hardwood is laminate floors. Hardwood Floor versus Vinyl Floor comparison chart

Hardwood FloorVinyl Floor 3.38/512345 3.13/512345 Durability Depends on a number of factors, such as whether the floor is finished, type of wood used, what room it is in, and how well it is maintained. Cannot be installed in basements. Properly finished and well-maintained hardwood floors can last for decades. Durable, but can be scratched or dented Cost Generally, the harder the hardwood, the more expensive it is, but also the more durable it is. Including labor expenses for installation, most hardwood floors cost between $8 and $15 per square foot. $2 to $7 per square foot, installed. Installation Used to be very difficult to install; mistakes could be frustrating and expensive. Today, most wood flooring is pre-cut into easy-to-install tongue and groove planks.peel-and-stick over wood, cement, or previously installed flooring Composition Comes in a variety of differently sized cuts and is made from real solid woods, giving it natural grains and tones, from light browns, to neutral grays and rich reddish bronzes.

Oak and maple are the most common hardwoods used. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin with dies, textures, rubberizing plastics, stabilizers; timber from harvested trees, mostly angiosperms A synthetic material manufactured from petroleum. Repair Can be repaired by sanding and refinishing A single tear or cut can be replaced by a patch of the same design, but replacement is a better option for wear and tear. Upkeep Keep clean and free of moisture, avoid causing damage, use pads on the feet of furniture. Do not let water sit. Particularly important to use the right kinds of cleaners. Protect heavy traffic areas with mats or rugs; sweep, mop, vacuum with beater up/off; Moisture resistance Prone to moisture penetration, discoloration, or warping. Engineered hardwood slightly more water resistant alternative. Environmental Considerations Hardwood flooring can be very environmentally friendly, provided it is bought from a responsible supplier. look for hardwoods certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

May release chlorine gas and phthalate-related toxins and may contain asbestos (prior to ~80s). Recyclable if it does not contain PVC or asbestos. Restoration Can be easily restored to like-new condition.must be replaced once protective coating has worn away. Prone to damage Prone to scratching and to moisture damage Prone to cuts and tears Thickness 0.75 inch to 6 inches 1.5 mm to 5 mm Contents: Hardwood Floor vs Vinyl Floor Hardwood flooring is made of natural hardwood from the lumber harvested in the forest areas. The price depends on the tree. For example, the most expensive hardwood comes from mahogany, wenge, and teak. Hardwood tends to have a thicker 3/4th to 6-inch wear surface as compared to the 0.5 mm to 5 mm vinyl. Vinyl flooring is made from sheets of vinyl, a synthetic product derived from petroleum and other chemicals, and can be manufactured in a wide variety of finishes, including those which resemble natural wood. Sheet vinyl comes in large rolls, but vinyl is available in squares and planks to resemble tiles or hardwood.

Vinyl sheets cut in tile-like squares Hardwood flooring can last for generations if well maintained. Dependent upon the wood and treatment, the flooring can be extremely damage resistant, and can be repaired or refinished, often at a lesser cost than the replacement of an identical coverage of vinyl flooring. Hardwood flooring is also sought after by home buyers and can increase the resale value of the home it furnishes. The following video discusses advantages of choosing a real wood floor: Vinyl flooring is less expensive than hardwood, easier to clean and more resistant to staining, warping, and discoloration. Because it is a synthetic product, it is available in a wider variety of finishes and styles. Vinyl also allows for the installation of padding underneath the flooring, making it more yielding and pliant, which helps insulate the room. The following video by Home Depot outlines the benefits of vinyl flooring: The longevity of vinyl flooring is largely dependent on its protective coating.

Once worn through, there is little recourse but to replace the worn flooring. As a synthetic material, vinyl consumes more energy to produce and results in toxic byproducts, and also emits small amounts of volatile organic chemicals initially after installation. Hardwood flooring is comparatively more expensive than vinyl. As a natural material, hardwood is prone to staining, warping, and discoloration from sun and water exposure, as well as substantial changes in temperature and humidity levels. This renders hardwood ill-suited to installation in bathrooms and some kitchens. Both vinyl and hardwood flooring are widely available and can be purchased from large-chain home improvement stores. A wider variety of styles, finishes, or wood types may be available from flooring wholesalers or specialists. Hardwood and vinyl flooring are must easier to install than stone flooring like granite or marble. However, while either can be installed as a do-it-yourself project, both are best performed by professional contractors unless undertaken by an experienced DIYer.

Hardwood flooring requires steps including placing, drilling, nailing, stapling, cutting the baseboard, and filling holes with wood putty. A DIY hardwood floor project Hardwood floor installation by professionals Vinyl flooring will involve steps including cutting, laying, and spreading adhesive if it's in sheet form. But vinyl is now available pre-cut in squares to resemble tiles, or as strips to resemble wood floors. They also come with self-adhesive, which makes for easy installation. Hardwood floor maintenance is relatively easy and includes keeping grit off of the surface by sweeping and wiping with a damp cloth. Most worn and damaged hardwood flooring can be repaired or refinished rather than replaced, but where damage is severe enough to require replacement, the damaged boards can be pulled up and replaced with matching material. While the surface coating on vinyl flooring is usually wear resistant, vinyl flooring will erode over time and eventually require replacement.

With vinyl, tile-type flooring replacement is a simple as replacing damaged or worn out tiles, which is only a challenge if the tile in question is out of production or if no spare tiles are on hand. With sheet-type vinyl, the damage can be repaired by fusing the surface with liquid seam sealer or patching the material via double cutting. Hardwood is extremely environment friendly since it's a natural resource. It's recyclable and renewable and is best purchased from environmentally responsible manufacturers to avoid over-harvesting. Vinyl production involves considerable consumption of energy and creates toxic byproducts. It is also known to emit small amounts of volatile organic chemicals after first installation. Older vinyl flooring installed prior to the late 1980s may contain asbestos and require a specialized process for safe removal. However, flooring manufacturers are now producing vinyl flooring that achieves a LEED credit IEQ4.3 for Low-Emitting Material. Wikipedia: Vinyl composition tile