In the spirit of Batman vs Superman, we thought it would be an opportune time to pit the superheroes of wooden flooring against one another, Engineered Timber Flooring vs Solid Timber Flooring. So who wins, who is the baddie and, more importantly, how can we fit in a Lois Lane connection?
Back in the day, it used to be that the structure of our home floors was made from timber. Solid wood was laid down and installed on top of joists. Over time wooden flooring was covered with carpet and then this structurally gave way to concrete flooring. This is now the standard with new housing – at least here in Perth. Concrete flooring as the base and then solid timber floors or engineered timber floors are installed on top of it
In the immortal words of Justin Timberlake, what goes around comes back around, and we’re now seeing a huge swing back to beautiful and classic wooden flooring but with a twist – a variety that only comes with the improvement of technology and manufacturing equipment. In fact, there are so many options for timber floors that it’s difficult to know what best solution to use in different flooring installations. It’s fair to say that they all have their advantages but some types are better suited than others to different environments.
So, let’s dip our toe in the water and get a quick overview of two of the most popular types of timber floor currently on the market. In good old fashioned superhero style, let’s pit solid timber flooring against engineered timber flooring. Game on!
What is a solid timber floor?
Much like the planks originally used for structural purposes, solid timber flooring is good, old fashioned hardwood planks – just like the ones Grandpa used to have!
Solid timber is thicker than engineered and, as such, can be sanded and treated many more times than an engineered timber floor. Solid timber is made only of timber utilizing a tongue and groove method. The boards come Raw and are sanded and polished after they are installed. Solid timber floors can be sanded and polished numerous times depending on the thickness.
During manufacture, it’s important to control the amount of moisture to ensure the wood doesn’t expand and warp at a later date. At Floors of Distinction, our range of solid timber flooring for domestic or commercial Perth installation is Kiln dried during manufacturing to ensure it is at the correct moisture content to prevent the wood from expanding or warping at a later date.
What's an engineered wooden floor?
The main difference from solid timber is that engineered floorboards are composed of two or more layers of wood bonded together under heat and pressure. The top layer is the one that’s visible and generally comes prefinished but can come Raw as well. Underneath are layers of cheaper plywood which actually increases the stability of the board. Engineered flooring is made and structured to prevent much of the humidity related issues that typically affect solid timber.
When pitting one against the other, it’s as much about aesthetic preference as it is about functionality. Both solid timber and engineered timber come with natural wood stains, marks and grains and in a range of different palettes. In our experience, solid timber gives a more classic look and feel. There are also no sounds when you walk on solid timber flooring. There really is something unique and warm about a home with solid timber flooring.
Engineered flooring looks incredible (we have it in our house!). It’s perfect for families with young kids and pets as well as those looking for new floors under a tighter budget. Whilst it can lack the warmth of solid timber flooring, it more than makes up for it with how durable and long-lasting it is. Aesthetically, engineered boards almost always come in a wider board at a fraction of the cost of solid timber. Whilst the lengths of the boards are not quite as long as solid timber, it more than makes up for it with how durable and long-lasting it is.
No need for sanding back – just a broom and a mop and someone to use them!
Get Solid Timber Floors and Engineered Timber Floors in Perth from Floors of Distinction
As suppliers and installers of timber flooring in Perth, it would be silly of us to pick any one floor. It all comes back to personal preference and functionality. Something that’s unique to each and every house and family. If you have any questions, be sure to call by or drop us a line. Floors of Distinction have the widest range of both engineered and solid timber flooring in Perth. Oh and we’ve got laminate flooring, vinyl flooring, bamboo flooring and even hybrid flooring as well as timber stairs.
Incidentally, we don’t stock or install carpet. That would be the baddie in this epic story of Engineered Timber Flooring vs Solid Timber Flooring…
Oh, and in case you’ve got this far and you’re wondering where Lois Lane is in this story, she’s the one walking all over them.