Hardwood vs engineered hardwood?

Engineered hardwood offers better moisture stability and versatility, while solid hardwood provides maximum longevity and refinishing potential. The choice depends on your installation location, budget, and long-term plans for the space.

Solid hardwood is exactly what it sounds like - planks cut entirely from a single piece of wood, typically 3/4" thick. This traditional option can be sanded and refinished 6-10 times over its lifetime, potentially lasting 100+ years with proper care. Solid hardwood must be nail-down installed over a wood subfloor and requires 18" minimum clearance from grade level, making it unsuitable for basements or concrete slabs. It's more susceptible to moisture changes and seasonal movement, requiring careful climate control.

Engineered hardwood features a real wood veneer (typically 2-6mm thick) bonded to multiple layers of plywood or high-density fiberboard. This cross-grain construction makes it significantly more stable in varying humidity conditions and allows installation over concrete, in basements, or with radiant heating systems. Engineered flooring can be installed floating, glued down, or nailed down depending on the thickness. Quality engineered floors with thicker wear layers can be refinished 2-4 times.

In Ottawa's climate with significant seasonal humidity changes, engineered hardwood often performs better, especially in basements or over concrete slabs. Solid hardwood works beautifully on main floors and upper levels where moisture is controlled. For Ottawa homes, expect solid hardwood installation at $10-18 per square foot, while engineered hardwood typically runs $8-14 per square foot installed.

Engineered hardwood also offers more species and finish options, including wider planks that would be prohibitively expensive or unstable in solid wood. Both options provide the authentic look and feel of real hardwood with proper installation over a well-prepared subfloor.

For a detailed assessment of which option works best for your specific Ottawa home and installation conditions, request a consultation with Ottawa Floor Install's experienced flooring contractors.

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