Choosing hardwood for your home is one of the most important aspects of this type of investment. You want flooring that will last, be easy to care for and look amazing in your home.

Solid or engineered hardwood are your main options for this type of home flooring. Discover what makes each type different to help you make your hardwood flooring decision.

Solid hardwood comprises large pieces of wood, milled into smaller planks for various home and commercial installation. The uninterrupted piece of wood allows for a natural wood grain and durability. With solid hardwood, each piece can look different from the last, even if the wood all came from the same type of tree.

Engineered hardwood is structured a little differently: solid hardwood is placed over cheaper wood and resin to create a solid board that is long-lasting and resembles solid hardwood. Like solid hardwood, each plank of wood you receive will vary in wood grain based on where the thin solid section of the wood was taken from out of a single large piece of wood.

Solid hardwood is often pricier than its engineered counterpart, mainly because the entire plank of wood comes from one wood source. Engineered hardwood is an economical choice in many cases, especially if you desire hardwood floors made from exotic or hard-to-find domestic wood.

The brand, style and type of wood you choose will largely determine the price you pay per square foot, whether you choose solid hardwood or engineered wood. Your flooring specialist can help you compare brands and various applications of hardwood to help you find the style and price that fits your needs best.

Solid hardwood can last for decades as long as it is well-maintained and refinished when the wood begins to get rough or show bare spots. Longevity can be affected by water damage or poor installation.

Engineered hardwood is already finished when it is purchased, so you don’t need to worry about re-treating the floors once they are installed. The layered wood and resin structure of engineered hardwood helps make it less susceptible to warping or buckling.

While both solid and engineered hardwoods are designed to last for many years, your best option may be engineered wood if you live in an area with high humidity. Solid hardwood can be prone to damage if humidity levels are high in your area, whereas engineered hardwood can withstand high humidity levels. Talk to your flooring expert about the best type of flooring for your climate.

Whether you choose solid or engineered hardwood, the results as far as beauty and appeal are similar. This is due to both styles of wood showing a natural hardwood surface you can enjoy. When it comes to appeal of hardwood flooring, choosing between these two types of applications comes down to personal preference.

Engineered hardwood planks can be clicked together without further adjustments, making them quick and easy to install. Solid hardwood can take more time to install and requires the aid of a professional. Once installed, both types of flooring are easy to care for, requiring simple sweeping and mopping (and an occasional finish, in the case of solid hardwood) to maintain.