Hardwood flooring has become one of the most popular styles of domestic flooring but has also been used in commercial buildings. Hardwood flooring is a great feature for any style of home from the most modern to the most traditional and can also look stylish in offices and receptions. Available in a range of different timbers and finishes, hardwood flooring will go with any style of decor. However, there are various types of hardwood flooring and it can be confusing to know what the differences are. The most common types of hard wood flooring are solid hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood flooring, both of which are high quality wood floor solutions.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring essentially offers the same flooring solution as solid hardwood flooring but it is the manufacturing process that separates these two types of wooden flooring. Engineered hardwood flooring is created with a very different manufacturing process. Each section of wood will contain sections of around 3 -5 pieces of hardwood which is layered to create one solid section.

Unlike some hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood flooring is not susceptible to shrinking and expanding from humidity. The unique manufacturing process renders it resistant to water and humidity making it ideal for both commercial and domestic installation.

Solid Hardwood Flooring

Unlike engineered hardwood flooring, solid wood flooring is made up of only one single section of hardwood with a much greater thickness than the layers used in engineered hardwood flooring. Solid hardwood flooring is very common in domestic installations but is commonly affected by shrinking and expanding under different temperatures. However, this does not make the flooring any more unsuitable for domestic or commercial installation. Solid hardwood flooring is normally fitted to take the shrinking and swelling into consideration with a small gap being left around the sides of a room. This gap is normally concealed by different styles of skirting that will allow for the movement in the flooring.

Unlike engineered hardwood flooring, solid wood flooring is made up of only one single section of hardwood with a much greater thickness than the layers used in engineered hardwood flooring. Solid hardwood flooring is very common in domestic installations but is commonly affected by shrinking and expanding under different temperatures. However, this does not make the flooring any more unsuitable for domestic or commercial installation. Solid hardwood flooring is normally fitted to take the shrinking and swelling into consideration with a small gap being left around the sides of a room. This gap is normally concealed by different styles of skirting that will allow for the movement in the flooring.