Choosing the right wood floors
Floors are the most oft-used surface in your home, so it’s understandable that choosing the right one can be an involved process. There is a wide range of ever-expanding options, but the most popular floors are still wood. Which option is best for you? That depends on your needs and lifestyle, but we’ve broken down the pros and cons to help you choose.
Hardwood floors
Hardwood floor in kitchen designed by Glenna Stone Interior Design – Photo by Rebecca McAlpin
Hardwood has long been a classic for good reason. It looks beautiful in just about any style home, from traditional to modern.
The upside: Solid hardwood is a natural material that can be sanded and refinished throughout the years. Its organic nature allows for texture, variation, and movement. The planks can come pre-finished, which aids in installation and alleviates the odor of in-place finishing. The other route, which offers the most customization, is to stain in place. This allows for a customized finish to match your design aesthetic. Floor finishers can create blends and special “concoctions” to achieve that perfect look! Another advantage to hardwood floors is that you can either get consistent long planks of wood or vary plank width and length. The possibilities are truly endless.
The downside: Any type of true wood floor can be prone to nicks and scratches. If you have kids, pets, or both, your floors might take a beating over a long period of time (but remember they can be refinished!). Solid hardwood is pricey, both to install and refinish. Planks are typically 3/4″ thick; they usually work best in homes where they currently exist or new builds that can handle the floor thickness at key transitions and flooring material changes.
Whenever possible, we prefer a stain in place hardwood option. It offers the greatest customization and flexibility.
Engineered hardwood floors
Engineered hardwood floor in kitchen designed by Glenna Stone Interior Design – Photo by Betsy Barron
The emergence of engineered hardwood has created a less expensive choice. This option features a top layer of hardwood veneer with a plywood core that achieves the look of solid hardwood at a fraction of the cost.
The upside: Engineered hardwood offers a similar look at a lower price point, which is attractive if you are renovating on a budget. Often times a thinner floor thickness is necessary, and in these cases an engineered floor is your best friend. It looks just like a hardwood floor, thanks to that veneer top! Engineered floors are perfect when a 3/4″ floor is not an option. Another great advantage of engineered woods is their ability to be installed in a wide range of location conditions. Installation methods include glued, nailed, or floating on the existing subfloor (just check the manufacturer install guidelines.) This makes a wood floor possible on concrete slabs like dry basements where a hardwood floor is not an option. There are many engineered wood floors on the market today, so there are a lot of options to chose from.
The downside: Just like hardwood, engineered wood floors are prone to nicks and scratches. This type of flooring comes pre-finished in random lengths which typically range from 12″ – 48″ long. When you find a stain you like, you are stuck with the manufactured plank width and length.
Overall, an engineered floor works well when budget is a consideration or a hardwood floor is not an option due to floor thickness constraints or conditions (like a concrete slab.)
Laminate wood floors
Select Surfaces Silver Oak Laminate Flooring
Just to make things interesting, there is a third choice for a wood look. Developed long before the engineered wood floor, laminate floors allowed for a cost-effective alternative to hardwood floors. Today, laminate floors are the least expensive of the three options. With the development of photographic and printing technology, laminate floors have never looked so good!
The upside: Laminate floors are incredibly durable, which translates to low-maintenance. Its clear top layer resists nicks and gouges. The method of installation involves edges that snap together, which means that it’s not difficult to DIY. Another plus? Laminate goes over a thin, cushioned layer; this means you can install it on top of almost any existing subfloor (although you’ll probably have to rip out carpet).
The downside: Laminate can’t be refinished, so if it’s warped or damaged, you’ll need to replace it. Even though it’s a less expensive option, don’t go with the cheapest choice. You want a brand with a decent warranty to protect your investment. Finally, because it’s synthetic, it doesn’t have the slight organic give that wood does. Laminate is an unforgiving surface, so while it looks great in a kitchen, it might be tough if you spend a lot of time standing on it.
We advise using a laminate floor in particular instances. It’s susceptible to water damage, which means that it’s not ideal for bathrooms. Laminate in basements or on slabs requires a moisture barrier.
Header image: Hardwood floor in Old City Philadelphia home designed by Glenna Stone Interior Design – Photo by Rebecca McAlpin
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Glenna Stone Interior Design is an award-winning Philadelphia interior design firm serving Philadelphia, the Main Line, and surrounding cities. Utilizing her background and training in interior design, architecture, and engineering, Glenna specializes in creating interiors for residential and commercial design settings. We invite you to visit our website, view our portfolio, and catch up on the latest interior design concepts on our blog!
