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Flooring 101: Hardwood vs. Engineered Wood

March 9, 2021

Wood-style popularity is at an all-time high because a warm and inviting aesthetic is a timeless one. And, commercial interior designers know that the value of timeless style is priceless. Long gone are the days of simply selecting one of a few, classic hardwood materials and moving on with the design process. Now, the hunt is real as creators of surface solutions continue to innovate with wood products to boot!

With so many different “wood” options out there, it can be difficult to distinguish which styles and which materials are which. The demand for options beyond solid hardwood has been met with a plethora of products. In a nutshell, that’s why we’re writing this! As your trusted partner for flooring solutions, we know it’s our duty [and honor] to share facts versus fiction. And moreover, we will reveal how you can make the best decision for your project when it comes to hardwood or engineered wood flooring!

Trinity Surfaces is proud to carry a wide range of gorgeous, engineered wood products to suit any and every space. Although we love the idea of solid hardwood, it’s not necessarily an ideal option for commercial projects. Aside from the status factor that some folks believe solid wood holds, the battle between the two tilts the scales in favor of engineered products every time. 

To understand this conclusion, we need to further explore the toss-up between both kinds of products. So, let’s do it!

What’s the difference?

First things first, let’s go ahead and get the big question out of the way. Solid hardwood flooring is solid wood, all the way through. Engineered wood flooring is made up of high quality plywood that lies beneath a layer of solid wood on the surface. That is why it is difficult to tell the difference between the two. On the surface, there is little to no visual indication that one is solid and one is engineered. In almost every area of concern (cost, durability, maintenance, installation) for a commercial interior designer, engineered wood products have a slight edge over solid hardwood. 

Portfolio Collection

Bespoke Collection

Is one better than the other?

Let’s go through the main areas of interest for any commercial interior designer: cost, durability, maintenance, and installation. 

For the price point perspective, solid hardwood is arguably one of the most costly products to consider. Engineered wood products are a more budget friendly choice, although it’s good to note that higher end products call for higher prices. 

Durability is always an area of interest when an interior designer is browsing products for a commercial project. Most of the time, the product needs to be damage resistant and tough against high traffic pressure. Both solid hardwood and engineered wood can withstand these tests. Solid hardwood, due to its nature, is the stronger of the two. However, a boost in technology has paved the way for engineered products to be a serious competitor.

Both types of products are fairly simple to take care of. Basic sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping will do the trick. 

While solid hardwood falls into the tongue and groove installation category, engineered wood can be floating or glued down to an underlying surface. Installation is notoriously easier when using engineered wood products.

Jamie Beckwith Collection

How to know which is a better fit

Okay, so there is all of this information and all of these beautiful products. Now, where do we go from here? That’s simple. We recommend using one of the top quality engineered wood collections we offer. We guarantee that between our expertise and the superior nature of the products we stand behind, you will be more than satisfied with the results.

Arbor Collection

Mirth Studio

Whether you see something here that catches your eye or if you have another idea to build on, we are here to help. From concept to installation, the team at Trinity Surfaces will have your back. Let’s talk about what project you’re working on and how we can help: 866-774-3390.

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This post was written by Kevin Dean