Most flooring sites market their solid hardwood flooring as natural hardwood flooring. But are those the same thing? What’s the difference, if any, between solid and natural hardwood flooring–and where does engineered hardwood flooring factor in?
Natural hardwood flooring
When you think of natural hardwood flooring, you tend to think of unprocessed, clean hardwood. It’s the same as when you see something labeled “organic.” And compared to something labeled “engineered,” you think “natural” sounds more reliable. Is it really, though?
“Natural hardwood flooring” is a phrase often used by solid hardwood flooring companies. But what does natural hardwood flooring actually mean?
Is engineered hardwood flooring natural?
Yes! Well, it depends. Does the engineered hardwood flooring you’re considering have a solid hardwood wear layer? If yes, then absolutely, your engineered hardwood flooring is natural hardwood flooring!
This solid wood wear layer is made of real wood, and acts just as a piece of solid hardwood would. What’s the difference? Engineered hardwood flooring contains a layer of plywood beneath the wear layer that is “engineered” to help the wood flooring be stronger and more durable.
The PurezaWood difference
When you purchase PurezaWood engineered hardwood floors, you’re purchasing a difference you can see. While many engineered hardwood floor brands use sawdust or cheap wood to make up their floors below the wear layer, PurezaWood uses layers of premium Plywood.
This wood is the highest quality plywood available, meaning your floors will be more durable and last longer. In addition, the multiple layers will allow your floors to expand and contract as the weather changes. This will also help prevent damage to the floors from weather changes.
PurezaWood premium engineered hardwood floors also have wear layers that are equal to (or better than) solid hardwood floors. These wear layers allow you to refinish the natural hardwood flooring multiple times if you want. In addition to this, the wear layers are durable and very strong since they are made from natural hardwood.
At the end of the day…
Engineered hardwood flooring and solid hardwood flooring are both “natural hardwood flooring.” Both have wear layers of real wood.
Names can be misleading. When you hear the phrase “natural hardwood flooring,” it sounds like it’s at odds with something like engineered hardwood flooring. But don’t let the names fool you! In reality, engineered hardwood flooring is natural, and is a great choice for your home.
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