Hardwood Flooring Installation Guide: Solid vs. Engineered
Compare solid hardwood and engineered hardwood flooring on cost, installation methods, durability, and best applications.
Solid Hardwood vs. Engineered Hardwood
Solid hardwood: 3/4" thick solid wood planks. Can be refinished 3–5 times (adding 25–50 years of life per refinishing). Expands and contracts with humidity — not suitable for basements or directly over concrete. Lifespan: 80–100+ years with proper care. Cost: $5–12/sq ft material; $8–20/sq ft installed.
Engineered hardwood: Thin hardwood veneer over plywood core. More dimensionally stable — can be installed over concrete and in below-grade applications. Can typically be refinished 1–3 times depending on veneer thickness. Lifespan: 25–50 years. Cost: $3–10/sq ft material; $6–15/sq ft installed.
Wood Species and Hardness
Harder species resist denting and scratching better. Janka hardness scale (higher = harder):
- Brazilian Cherry/Jatoba: 2,350 — extremely hard, great for high-traffic areas
- Hickory: 1,820 — very hard, distinctive grain
- White oak: 1,360 — popular contemporary choice, excellent for staining
- Red oak: 1,290 — most common, warm tone, takes stain well
- Maple: 1,450 — light, modern look, shows scratches (tight grain)
- Pine: 870–1,200 — softer, dents more easily, rustic character
Installation Methods
- Nail-down: Traditional method for solid hardwood over wood subfloor. Most durable installation.
- Glue-down: Used over concrete or radiant heat subfloors. Engineered hardwood only typically.
- Float installation: Planks click together without attachment to subfloor. Easiest DIY; allows for movement. Works for engineered hardwood.