Over the years, wood has become a much more desirable flooring option in homes for multiple reasons. One being that it gives a home a modern, sleek appearance. Wood floors are also much easier to clean compared to carpeting. Families with dogs and children can be worry free when it comes to spills and accidents. Lastly, wood offers a lot of aesthetic and functional variety. Wood flooring can be separated into three categories. Solid wood, engineered wood, and faux-wood. Let’s explore the different types and their unique advantages.

Solid Wood

Solid wood consists of planks made out of soft wood or hardwood. It’s known for its durability and luxury appearance, making it a costly option. However, solid wood can be a great investment as it can last up to 100 years.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood has a very similar appearance to solid wood, however each plank is made out of a combination of real wood, plywood, scrap wood, and other materials. Because it is not purely composed of real solid wood, it is less expensive. Engineered wood is not waterproof, however, it can withstand moisture better than solid wood and has a moderately long lifespan of up to 30 years.

Faux Wood

Faux wood is made out of non-wood substances that give it a similar appearance to wood. Here are the different types:

Bamboo

Bamboo flooring is a great eco-friendly wood alternative. It is somewhat simple to install and can handle a lot of moisture. However, bamboo However, bamboo is susceptible to scratching and cracking, giving it a shorter lifespan of 10-25 years.

Laminate

Laminate floor planks are made of multiple layers of substances. The base of the plank is made out of fiberwood, or wood-chip composite. The second layer is called the image layer, which gives the plank the appearance of real wood. On top, there is a transparent layer to give it a finished look. Laminate is scratch resistant and much more affordable than solid wood, but does not handle moisture well.

Vinyl

Vinyl planks are composed of synthetic materials that mimic the look of wood. Vinyl is cost-friendly and waterproof. The only downside is that its appearance is not as persuasive as solid wood.

Ceramic

Ceramic tile is made out of porcelain and coated with wood-like paint or glaze. It is waterproof and more affordable than real wood. Ceramic tile is also resistant to scratches. Similar to vinyl, ceramic tile may not look as similar to wood compared to laminate or bamboo, but is sturdy and long lasting.

Schedule a Consultation

After learning about different wood flooring options, hopefully you have a better idea of which type best fits your lifestyle. Each has its pros and cons, but overall, these options are all easy to clean, aesthetically pleasing, and maintainable. If you are in need of flooring installation, don’t hesitate to call D&L Builders for a consultation! Our team is dedicated to providing quality services that will always leave you pleased.