Are you deciding between solid and engineered wood floors are a better choice for you? While solid hardwood was the industry staple for many years and remains the preference in the U.S., globally preferences are shifting towards engineered hardwoods.
However, there are some real challenges for people who want engineered floors right now. Plywood, a necessary component of engineered flooring, has become more difficult to source since the war in Ukraine. This has made it very difficult to source engineered floors. For those floors that are available, the prices have gone up. Since affordability has been one of the big drivers for demand of engineered floors, the drop in supply and increase in price may help shift preferences back to hardwood floors.
To understand why we are anticipating this type of shift between solid and engineered wood floors, it is important to consider the strengths and weaknesses of hardwood and engineered floors. Engineered flooring has provided the look of hardwood, but with more affordability. They are also less prone to expansion and contraction, more versatile in installation, and can be used in high-moisture areas. However, they lack the durability of hardwood floors.
Solid hardwood floors are known for their classic style. They come in different plank sizes and a large variety of wood types, including exotic woods. Lifetime floors, hardwoods can be sanded and refinished. Though they are normally more expensive than engineered woods, that may not be the case in today’s market. If you think that engineered wood is the budget-friendly choice for your floors, now is the time to look into hardwoods.
If the rising price and limited availability of engineered floors and the price of hardwoods place both of them out of your budget, you still have plenty of options. Luxury vinyl plank is available in an increasing range of styles. It can replicate the look of hardwoods, which means it may give you the look you want. Luxury vinyl plank is also a great option for moist environments, and it can be installed over concrete flooring.
We know that supply chain and cost issues are disrupting things for many contractors and their customers. While we will continue to work hard to source engineered hardwood floors and offer the best available prices on them, we are also committed to expanding other alternatives. Let our experts help you find the right flooring solution for your clients.
