One of the most common questions we hear in the showroom is, “Is engineered hardwood real wood?” And right after that comes, “Which one is better for my home?”
To answer those questions well, it helps to understand how each type of flooring is built and why that construction affects performance. Once you see the science behind it, the choice between engineered and solid wood becomes much clearer.
What Engineered Hardwood Is (In Simple Terms)
Engineered hardwood is real hardwood on top, supported by multiple layers of plywood or high-density fiberboard underneath. Those layers are arranged in different directions, which helps the board stay stable when humidity changes. Solid wood is a single piece of hardwood from top to bottom. It looks beautiful and ages well, but it reacts more noticeably to seasonal moisture.
Why Engineered Hardwood Stays More Stable
Wood moves as humidity rises or falls. Solid planks move as a single piece, which is why they can shrink, swell, or cup when indoor conditions fluctuate.
Engineered boards spread that movement across their layers. This creates:
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Better resistance to moisture
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Less seasonal expansion and contraction
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Fewer concerns about warping in tricky areas like basements or over radiant heat
This is the most significant functional difference between the two.
Where Engineered Hardwood Works Especially Well
If you want hardwood in areas where moisture levels change more often, engineered flooring usually performs better. Homeowners often choose it for:
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Basements
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Rooms with radiant heating
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Open-concept layouts where consistent width matters
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Homes with bigger seasonal swings in humidity
In the showroom, we walk people through these scenarios because they influence the floor's long-term performance.
How Engineered Hardwood Looks Compared to Solid Wood
Visually, engineered and solid hardwood look almost identical because the top wear layer on engineered boards is real wood. You can get the same grains, colours, stains, and widths; sometimes even more, because engineered cores allow for wider planks that remain stable over time.
Can Engineered Hardwood Be Refinished?
Yes, many engineered floors can be refinished, but the number of times depends on the thickness of the wear layer. We help customers assess this in the showroom to ensure expectations are clear. Solid wood can be refinished more times, which is a long-term benefit if you plan to stay in the home for many decades.
Maintenance: What Homeowners Really Want to Know
Both solid and engineered hardwood share similar upkeep:
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Sweep regularly
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Protect from excessive moisture
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Maintain normal indoor humidity
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Refresh or refinish when the surface wears
The core difference is that engineered hardwood needs refinishing less often, while solid wood offers more refinishing cycles over its lifetime.
How to Decide Between Engineered and Solid Hardwood
When people ask, “Which is better?” the honest answer is: it depends on your home and how you live in it.
Choose engineered hardwood if you want:
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Stability in changing humidity
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Wider plank options
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Better performance in basements and heated floors
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A real-wood floor that adapts well to different environments
Choose solid wood if you value:
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The ability to refinish many times
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A traditional construction that can last generations
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Installation in areas with stable humidity
Both are excellent choices. The right option is the one that fits your home’s conditions and your long-term vision.
Final Thoughts
Engineered hardwood isn’t a lesser version of solid wood; it’s real hardwood built with technology that helps it perform differently. Solid wood brings its own strengths, especially for long-term refinishing. Once you understand the science behind both, you can make a confident decision, and we’re always happy to walk you through it in the showroom.
