Is Engineered Hardwood Cheaper than Real Hardwood?

The right floor in any home or office can make a huge difference in the way it looks and adjusts the feel of the building. Of course, many variables should be considered before you choose the best floor for your needs.

But, what is certain is that whether you pick French oak floors or vinyl flooring, you need to consider more than just the cost of purchasing the floor. Fitting, longevity, and maintenance must all be considered before deciding which is the cheapest option.

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are simply planks of wood, they are usually taken from oak trees or maple, although they can be from any hardwood tree.

The entire plank is real wood and you can even opt for environmentally friendly versions by using reclaimed wood or making sure the trees are being replanted.

Engineered Hardwood

The top part of engineered hardwood floor planks is made from real hardwood, in the same way, that hardwood floors are. However, this is only a thin veneer on the top, the rest of the plank consists of engineered wood, this can be various types of wood compacted together to make a strong and durable plank.

Durability

It should be noted that the engineered floor needs very little maintenance and they are very easy to install. However, with care, they will last for many years, but they cannot last as long as a real hardwood floor.

Cost

The basic part of this question is cost. Engineered floors are cheaper to purchase and install. This is because they are only partly real wood and use a simple click system to lock together on your floor.

In contrast hardwood flooring used to be very difficult to install. Modern hardwood is created in planks and uses a tongue and groove effect, making it much easier to install.

Alongside the cost of purchasing hardwood instead of engineered wood, you also need to consider that hardwood flooring needs to be periodically re-sealed, that’s not something you have to do to engineered floors.

You also need to remove moisture promptly from hardwood floors. It is also important to use wood friendly cleaning products.

However, where the cost starts to even up and can make hardwood flooring cheaper, is when you look at longevity.

Engineered floors will last for several years before they start to chip and fade. There is little you can do to repair them. In contrast, a good hardwood floor will outlive you.

The Look

It is worth noting that engineered flooring can be purchased in a huge array of colors and finishes, hardwood is generally the natural color given by the wood, limiting your options when choosing this type of floor.

There is little doubt that engineered hardwood floors are cheaper to purchase and install. But, if you’re planning on being in your home for a long time, there is something to be said for hardwood flooring, it is difficult to beat.