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When it comes to picking the best timber flooring in Melbourne, engineered and solid hardwood are the two most popular options out there. Read on to learn which one is better for your space.
It’s true that installing a timber floor is a huge investment, considering it takes time and precision. However, the real quest is determining which type of timber flooring is best for your space. Although there are different types of timber floors available out there, the most popular options are solid timber and engineered wood.
As the name suggests, solid timber flooring is made of solid wood throughout its length, breadth and thickness. It generally includes maple, walnut or European oak timber. The most significant advantage of solid timber is that it can be sanded and refinished several times throughout its lifespan. However, it is not a pocket-friendly option if you have a tight budget.
Engineered wood looks quite similar to the solid hardwood on the surface, but it is made from a relatively thin layer of solid wood, which is bonded over a substrate of plywood. This type of timber flooring is cheaper than solid wood, but it can’t be sanded and refinished more than twice. This is because the surface layer is relatively thin.
If you are debating whether to invest in engineered wood or solid Merbau timber flooring let’s help you make the right decision for your home.
Solid timber flooring boards are narrower than engineered hardwood flooring and have a tighter seam. Plus, they are available in greater colours and species than engineered hardwood boards. On the other hand, engineered hardwood tends to be wider and often has a slightly bevelled edge, which develops grooves between boards.
Winner: Tie
Since solid timber can be sanded and refinished several times, it can last at least three decades and as much as a century. Therefore, it can add more value to a property. However, engineered hardwood has a shorter lifespan of 20 to 30 years, which is a decent span of time, but not as impressive as solid hardwood flooring, such as European oak timber flooring.
Winner: Solid hardwood
Both types of timber flooring offer resistance to heat, but are not recommended for installation in wet areas. While engineered wood has more water resistance properties due to its plywood construction, it is not at all waterproof. Also, solid timber isn’t recommended for installation against concrete slabs. If you want to install a timber floor against a concrete subfloor, then consider engineered wood rather than solid wood.
Winner: Engineered wood
Cleaning both of these timber floors is as simple as sweeping, vacuuming and occasional damp-mopping, as long as you don’t use water or steam. However, when it comes to maintenance, solid wood flooring is slightly better than engineered wood flooring. This is because you can sand and refinish it several times over its lifespan.
Winner: Solid hardwood
Solid timber flooring is usually installed with a tongue-and-groove system, where each board is blind-nailed to the subfloor at the edges of the boards. On the other hand, engineered timber flooring is installed as a “floating floor”with the same nail-down method, but there are “click-lock” edges. For a concrete subfloor, you can even glue down your engineered timber flooring.
Winner: Engineered wood
While solid hardwood has better acoustic properties than engineered wood, it isn’t as resilient as its derivative. Still, it can easily absorb reverberation and distribute the sound evenly around the room. Whereas engineered wood floors tend to have echoes or clicking sounds. Still, they feel soft underfoot.
Winner: Tie
Standard hardwood planks are around 3/4 inch thick and come in various lengths from 12 to 84 inches. Other plank thicknesses are also available. Engineered wood boards are thinner, with 3/8 to 9/16 inch thick. However, they are available in much wider boards that can reach up to 7 inches.
Winner: Tie
Both engineered and solid timber flooring have their pros and cons. Once regarded as an imitation of solid hardwood, engineered wood is cheaper, more moisture resistant and easier to install. Whereas, solid hardwood is more durable, easier to maintain and holds a slight edge in prestige. We hope this information has helped you pick the best-suited timber flooring. However, if you still have questions, feel free to reach out and contact us.
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