In the world of hardwood flooring installation in Manhattan, there are two main types for people to choose from: engineered or solid. Both have their upsides and downsides, although engineered woods are quickly becoming the standard for apartment dwellers and other homeowners looking for a faster installation process.
The term “engineered hardwood” comes from the way the wood strips are made, according to Rich Kessner, the owner of New York Floorman, LLC in Manhattan. He says that engineered floors feature a wear layer that solid wood floors do not, which is attached to another piece of wood on the bottom. “The wood is engineered so that there is a thin layer of wood glued to plywood already before you get it, and then that can be glued to concrete,” he says.
Below, Kessner explains some of the major differences between engineered hardwood and a solid wood floor.
Unfinished Vs. Prefinished
Engineered floors are almost always prefinished, explains Kessner. He says that 95% of the time, the engineered hardwood floors that people choose will come prefinished, which means they have already been sanded and stained before they are installed.
Thickness
The slats of engineered hardwood that most people have installed are almost always thinner than solid wood, something that has become especially important to people who live in homes or apartments with low ceilings. While solid flooring is about 3/4″ thick, engineered flooring is usually only 1/4″ thick or 1/2″ or 5/8″ thick at the most. In spaces where every inch of height counts, having a floor that is thicker than necessary can make the entire room seem smaller and more confining. Kessner says that is part of the reason why so many of his Manhattan clients prefer the installation of an engineered hardwood flooring rather than solid flooring.
Wear
The downside of choosing an engineered hardwood floor has to do with wear. Depending on the type of solid wood that is used, most solid wood floors can be sanded down and refinished a number of times during their lifespan. Engineered floors usually cannot be sanded down as frequently, though.
Installation
Because engineered wood is attached to a thin layer of plywood, the floor itself can be glued directly to a concrete floor without the need for an additional plywood subfloor. Additionally, there are a number of other ways to install an engineered floor as well. During the hardwood flooring installation in Manhattan, the installer can glue the engineered floor to a foam underlay—which is what people typically refer to as a floating floor. An installer can also glue the engineered wood to a plywood subfloor if one has already been put in place. Finally, Kessner says that some engineered floors that are sold actually “click together” without any glue or nails required. “So that is a real advantage,” he says.
Environment
Engineered floors are more stable in a number of environments, and especially so in areas of the home with high humidity, such as a basement or laundry area. This is something to remember for people who are interested in having a new flooring system installed in a basement or garage, since a solid hardwood floor oftentimes will not work in these types of rooms.
Time
In terms of how much time homeowners should plan for the installation of a hardwood flooring project, Kessner says that putting in an engineered floor will usually take about a day less than putting in a solid wood floor. The reason for this has to do with the lack of a plywood subfloor. Without having to install a subfloor first, the installers can get right to work putting in the actual floor itself.
Cost
Because it takes less time to install an engineered floor, the labor costs are usually less when undertaking this type of project compared to the labor costs for installing a solid hardwood floor. Because there are such a wide range of woods available, though, estimating costs for the project as a whole can be difficult. In general, Kessner says that installing an engineered floor rather than a solid floor will save people money since they will not have to pay for the installation of materials for a plywood subfloor floor as well.
Overall, Kessner says that the choice between engineered wood or solid wood comes down to ceiling height more so than anything else. Because the price differences are so negligible, that is usually not the factor that helps people determine which type of flooring style they choose. “Most apartment buildings have concrete subfloors, so the engineered goes right over that,” Kessner says. If someone in Manhattan is interested in having a hardwood flooring installation done but isn’t sure which style of flooring to pick, then Kessner recommends calling New York Floorman and asking for guidance.
