The flooring you choose for your Naples-area home remodel helps set the tone for each room in your home. And for some rooms, it’s hard to beat the beauty and warmth of a wood floor. Should you choose a natural hardwood floor or an engineered wood floor for your project?
There was a time when that wouldn’t even have been a question. Laminate flooring from years ago simply didn’t look or feel right for many homeowners. But the engineered hardwood materials available today can be stunning and extremely durable.
Still, there are differences. Here are a few key areas of comparison to consider when choosing hardwood flooring.
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Features |
Natural Hardwood |
Engineered Hardwood |
|
Durability |
While durability depends somewhat on the specific type of wood used, a natural hardwood floor that is well-maintained can last for decades. |
Multilayered engineered hardwood can often stand up to moisture better than natural woods. Engineered hardwood is also less likely to show scratches from pets. |
|
Price |
There is variation here—often dependent on the hardness and rarity of the wood. The common range is roughly $8 to $15 per square foot. |
Costs for engineered woods also vary depending on the veneer. In general, prices between $3 and $14 per square foot are common. |
|
Construction |
As the name implies, these planks are cut from real wood. Most common are oak and maple—with a variety of other options. |
Boards are made from layers of ground wood products glued together and topped with a veneer of actual hardwood. |
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Maintenance |
Hardwood floors require regular cleaning (dusting, etc.). Water should not be allowed to sit. Pads are recommended when moving furniture to avoid scratching. Harsh cleaners should be avoided. |
While engineered hardwood floors are less affected by water, spills should still be mopped up. Damp (not wet) mopping is good. Avoid harsh cleaners. Also, to avoid damage from repetitive movement, put pads on furniture such as chairs. |
By the way, hardwood may not be the right choice for every room in your home. Here’s a helpful post covering which different kinds of flooring materialsyou might consider for the different rooms in your home.
