Marion's Blog > The difference between solid and engineered hardwood flooring

The difference between solid and engineered hardwood flooring

Wednesday, January 27, 2021 8:17 AM

When it comes to the differences between these two types of floor, the adage that “it’s what is underneath that counts” holds. The top quarter of solid and engineered floors are precisely the same. It’s the bottom three quarters that make engineered materials different.

A need addressed with hardwood

Let’s be entirely upfront; we think that hardwood is one of the most versatile and attractive flooring types that one can put in their home. And, given the popularity of wood flooring and wood-look flooring, we think we are not alone. The one weakness of solid wood is that it does not handle moisture and high-humidity areas well. Translated, that means it is an excellent option for rooms on the main floor and upper floors of your home. But, what if you choose to finish your basement and want this sort of flooring there as well? In below-grade applications, it does not work so well.

Enter engineered hardwood flooring

To address the need for material well suited for basements, engineered flooring was invented. The top layer is made from the wood that everyone knows and loves, but the bottom section of the flooring is constructed as a base that protects the surface material from moisture and can be installed as a floating floor. That means that on any level of your house, you can install beautiful hardwood flooring. Some people even like the engineered material so much that they install it throughout their homes (on the surface, both materials look the same!).

So, if you are looking for a flooring store in Portland, OR, you can stop your search. At Marion’s Carpet Warehouse, we have a wide selection of both solid and engineered wood. We even offer professional hardwood flooring installation from some of the finest craftsmen in the region! Whether you live in Wilsonville, Portland, Beaverton, Vancouver, Lake Oswego, or the surrounding areas, we are happy to serve you. Give us a call or stop by one of our showrooms in Wilsonville or Portland to see all our hardwood flooring options.