Solid vs engineered wood flooring – What’s best for your home?

If you’re thinking about putting wood flooring into your home, one of the first questions you’ll probably run into is:

“Should I go for solid wood or engineered wood?”

It’s a common one, and honestly, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Both are great options – it just depends on your home, your lifestyle and where the floor is going.

At TFS Flooring here in Taunton, we fit both all the time, so here’s a straight forward guide to help you decide

Solid wood flooring is exactly what it sounds like – each board is made from a single piece of timber, usually around 18–22mm thick.

• It lasts for decades
  Solid wood can be sanded and refinished several times over its life. Look after it properly and it can outlast the kitchen, the sofa and probably must of us. 
• It has real character
  No two boards are the same. You get natural grain, knots and colour variation that just looks great in period and modern homes alike.

It adds value
Buyers love real wood floors. A well-kept solid wood floor is always a selling point.

• It doesn’t love moisture
  Solid wood moves with changes in humidity. In the UK we get our fair share of damp days which can unsettle a poorly installed solid wood floor. It also means that kitchens and bathrooms aren’t the ideal rooms. 
• It doesn’t love changes in temperature
  A solid wood plank cannot take being dried out too much. This is why it is not suitable for under floor heating. If the moisture content falls too low, the wood can warp and even crack. 

It needs the right conditions
It has to be acclimatised properly before fitting and needs a stable environment afterwards.

Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, dining rooms.

Engineered wood flooring is made from layers of wood bonded together (plywood or HDF), with a real wood layer on top. You still get the look of real timber – because it is real timber – just built in a more stable way.

• Much more stable
  Because of the layered construction, engineered boards cope far better with temperature and moisture changes.
• Great with underfloor heating
  If you’ve got (or are planning) UFH, engineered is always the better choice.

More flexible on where it can go
It works well in kitchens, downstairs spaces and even cellars with the right prep.

• Limited sanding
  Depending on the thickness of the top layer, it can usually only be sanded 2-4 times.
• Quality really matters
  Not all engineered floors are the same – cheap ones don’t last as well.

Usually costs more
Whilst there are cheaper alternatives, to get a premium 20mm engineered plank will certainly always cost more than its solid wood counterpart

Any room given it is installed correctly (maybe not a sauna or poolside).

Solid wood

• Made from one piece of timber
• Can be sanded many times
• Less moisture-resistant
• More movement with humidity

Engineered wood

• Layered construction with solid wood top
• More stable
• Works with underfloor heating
• Better for kitchens and modern homes

From what we see day to day:

• Older homes & period properties
  Solid wood looks fantastic and suits the character – as long as the rooms are dry and conditions are suitable.
• Modern homes & extensions
  Engineered wood is usually the smarter choice, especially if there’s underfloor heating or big open-plan spaces.
• Kitchens
  Engineered wins, hands down.
• DIY projects
  Engineered is far more forgiving and comes in click-together options that are genuinely DIY-friendly.

Prices vary a lot depending on the wood, finish and thickness, but as a rough guide:

• Solid wood flooring:
  Often cheaper than premium engineered wood but costs more than budget friendly/thin engineered wood floor.
• Engineered wood flooring:
  A wider range of prices and often better value for money.

Subfloor prep, underlay and fitting method can all affect the final cost too.

There’s no wrong answer here.

• Go solid wood if you want a long-term, traditional floor and it’s going into dry, stable rooms.
• Go engineered wood if you want flexibility, stability, underfloor heating compatibility or you’re fitting a kitchen or extension.

If you’re not sure, that’s completely normal – that’s where we come in.

Need honest advice?

We’re a local flooring specialist based in Taunton, and we’re always happy to talk things through to help you chose what’s best for you.

If you’d like help choosing the right wood floor for your home (or you’re planning a DIY project and just want some guidance)

Get in touch today and we’ll be happy to help.