Engineered wood or Solid wood? CA

last year

Hi, guys! I'm currently renovating and was originally leaning towards choosing solid wood flooring. However, my contractor strongly recommended engineered wood, saying that solid wood can warp and cause issues over time. I'm wondering if it's because engineered wood is easier to install. I also noticed that around here, people tend to choose either engineered wood or SPC. I thought the weather in the Bay Area should be okay, with mild climate and not much fluctuation, so it shouldn't cause too many issues, especially since it's not as humid as the South where floors are more prone to warping. Does anyone with experience know about this? Or what type of flooring do most people typically use?

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Comments (12)

millworkman
last year
" saying that solid wood can warp and cause issues over time "

Not installed properly it does not. That being said are you on a slab? If so it should be engineered.
dan1888
last year
A benefit from engineered hardwood is the way it looks. Wide up to 12 inches planks show more of the grain structure when flat cut veneer is used. Solid can usually be 3.5- 4.5" wide. If you choose rift cut that difference isn't as noticeable.

This is European Oak from Denmark or more likely SE Asia. The varieties used do not have the open grain of white and red oak from N.America.
li_ky_11 thanked dan1888
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li_ky_11
Original Author
last year
@millworkman I got it! Thanks!
li_ky_11
Original Author
last year
@Echo what is this flooring？
li_ky_11
Original Author
last year
@dan1888 Thanks!
PRO
G & S Floor Service
last year
If, your house is not drafty and the flooring is installed properly. You shouldn't have issues other than seasonal gapping.

The west coast does deal with more ocean wind. The air will be more moist. Drafty walls will allow all that in. Air seal outside and inside, repair any holes or rotting wood. Corners are weak points, check for gaps and damages, then make the necessary repairs.
dan1888
last year
Here's a website for a manufacturer in China. Many colors, grades and both Siberian and European Oak are woods he uses. Unfortunately, the cost to you has just gone up by 20% and it may be more because of tariffs. He can use Ciranova staining/finishing products. https://www.lordfloor.com/
dan1888
last year
DuChateau charges high dollar for this product. They use 8 different factories across SE Asia to manufacture. Eucalyptus plywood is their substrate. Hakwood manufactures in Denmark. They also use Eucalyptus plywood. If you get the specifications correct, you can save a ton of money.
dan1888
last year
Gluing and nailing/screwing solid wood to your wood subfloor is basically creating an engineering wood floor with less quality in the materials and process.
li_ky_11
Original Author
last year
@G & S Floor Service Appreciate the tips! I’ll keep an eye on that and make sure everything’s sealed up.
li_ky_11
Original Author
last year
@dan1888 Thanks your advice!
dan1888
last year
Test lvp and engineered wood samples with the tines of a for. Different manufacturers of the two types of products makes the results variable in their scratch resistance. You can start the testing with samples from HD and Floor & Decor. test scratch resistance of lvp - YouTube