Solid, Engineered & Composite Wood Flooring

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES

There are 3 main types of wood flooring available to the consumer

pre-finished solid hardwood

Solid Wood  / Hardwood

Solid wood flooring is a solid piece of wood from top to bottom. Solid wood is prone to greater shrinkage and expansion, which, without proper acclimation can cause a floor to cup or warp.
pre-finished engineered hardwood

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood flooring is real wood from top to bottom, but is not a solid piece rather it is made using multiple veneers of wood or wood slats glued together at opposing directions.
composite engineered wood

Composite Engineered Wood

Composite wood flooring contains real wood on the wearable surface only. The backing & core material may be engineered with special properties such as moisture resistance & high durability.

Hardwood Vs. Engineered Wood Vs. Composite Wood?

Solid wood is a solid piece of wood cut from tree, whereas engineered wood is comprised of multiple layers of wood adhered together at opposing directions to counter-act the effects of contraction and expansion. This is why engineered wood floors are able to boast longer and wider widths compared to solid, which is limited to smaller formats to remain dimensionally stable, and why engineered wood is best suited for the majority of end users in the U.S.

Composite wood flooring on the other hand, is a good flooring option that uses real wood engineered with special properties such as moisture resistance and high durability. Composite wood flooring can be much easier to install than traditional hardwood flooring and also may not require the same climate acclimation time that real wood requires.

At San Diego Marble & Tile, we can help you select the wood flooring option that would best suit you, your home and your project requirements – let us help you on your journey!

Wood Flooring Options

When choosing your wood floor, there are five considerations that will best help you narrow your wood flooring choice:

Gloss

The lower gloss, the less prone the floor will be to show everyday wear and tear. Having a nice, waxy oil-look floor is great visually, but will show scratches and scuffs more easily.

Grain

A grainier species like an oak or hickory is less likely to show markings than a smooth exotic or domestic maple.

Texture

Have the consumer think of ways to break up the surface of the floor. Hand scraping and other slight distressing techniques can help mask imperfections.

Color

Lighter to mid-tone will show scratches less than a really dark or rich tone.

Hardness

Comparing hardness can be difficult and is influenced by the type of wood. Measured according to janka scale.

Need Help?

Contact your local San Diego Marble & Tile store and we can help you select the right option for your space!

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SHOP HERE, PICK-UP THERE
With 3 showroom & warehouse locations across the county, you can now ‘Shop here, and Pick-up there’ — we have the reach and convenience to suit all our local customer’s needs — we are local.

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WE STRENGTHEN YOUR TEAM
We work closely with your contractor and/or designer to ensure your project stays on schedule & your design concept becomes a reality for you to enjoy for many years. Think of us as part of your team.

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CARE & MAINTENANCE
By following some basic care instructions, you should be able to keep your floors looking as beautiful as the day installed. Floor care differs slightly depending on material & whether installed inside or outside.