Hardwood Vs Engineered Timber – Which One is Better for You?

Over the years, timber flooring has become the norm for many homes in Australia and around the world. Not only is wood available in abundance, but it has the kind of warmth, depth and finish that you cannot find in any other material. For this reason, many homeowners opt for it, particularly when they’re looking to settle down on a long-term basis.

On the other hand, wooden flooring is definitely an investment because it is not only expensive but also high maintenance. Luckily, you’ll find that there are many pocket friendly alternatives available such as engineered timber flooring.

Suppliers in Melbourne offer this option because it is easier to manufacture, easy to recycle and also not as high maintenance as traditional hardwood flooring.

So, when faced with these two choices, which one should you pick? The answer to this question is not as simple as it seems.

Many homeowners often end up getting confused between these two choices. So, to make things easier for you, we’re going to be pitting hardwood flooring against engineered timber flooring.

To start things off, let’s take a look at the pros and cons that come with each flooring type:

Pros and Cons of Hardwood Flooring

One of the most popular flooring options, hardwood flooring is loved for the warmth and character it has. The popularity of this flooring is only offset by the fact that it is definitely a very costly addition to a home. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons that are associated with it.

• Long Lasting – Hardwood flooring is favoured because it is long lasting. When well maintained and looked after, they can last for 10 to 20 years. There have been cases where hardwood flooring has lasted for up to 50 years too. The type of wood used for the flooring can also make a significant impact on the overall longevity of the flooring type.
• A Wide Range of Colors – From pale tan to deep mahogany browns, you can find a range of warm colours that are perfect to add more character in any room. If you want to get parquetry flooring in Melbourne, this is the best choice as it gives a more colourful and attractive option.
• High Maintenance – While it is durable, hardwood needs a lot of maintenance to last through the years with ease. The wood is also very susceptible to moisture and can develop mold, start to rot, warp or weaken if left as is. Regular maintenance is needed once every three months or to keep the wood in good shape and to identify any issues immediately.
• Costly to Replace – When it comes to replacement of your hardwood flooring, you might have to face high costs, particularly if the wood type you need is short in the market. With hardwood, a new plank has to be cut down, treated and shaped to the size it is being required for. This is also expensive and can cost a lot.

Despite these pros and cons, many people find that when living in dry climates, their hardwood flooring is the best option for them. Additionally, if you work with the right suppliers, you can get high quality wood, which also ends up improving the life of your wooden flooring.

Pros and Cons of Engineered Timber Flooring

Engineered timber flooring is rather new, but it is also becoming popular for a wide number of reasons. Over the years, you can find plenty of engineered timber flooring suppliers in Melbourne who also specialize in creating parquetry flooring .

Regardless of this popularity, this flooring type also has some pros and cons associated with its usage:

• More Durable than Hardwood – When it comes to durability, engineered timber flooring has been found to be more durable than hardwood. In fact, this flooring type was specially designed to accommodate many of the shortcomings that hardwood flooring has.
• More Resistant to Moisture – Since it was designed to be better and stronger than hardwood, engineered timber flooring is also more resistant to moisture. This means that in high moisture areas in Melbourne, this wood flooring can be very easy to have and keep when you can’t have hardwood.
• Can Be Difficult to Maintain – Despite the fact that it is better than hardwood flooring, engineered wood flooring still does require a certain degree of maintenance. Without this, the flooring can rot, catch mold or rot with age.
• Still High Expense – Again, there’s the downside that while replacement pieces are easier to find, there is a higher possibility of having more expenses when the chosen wood you need is in short supply. While you won’t have to incur such a high bill as you would with hardwood, it is still hefty enough to make you reconsider if this is a good choice to have.

However, the popularity of engineered timber flooring has shown that this is an option that is going to be sticking around for quite some time. Picking this is a smarter thing to do because if you want parquetry flooring, this wood flooring type is easier to work with.

Which One Is Better for You?

At the end of the day, you have to weigh the pros and cons to pick the best option for you. While many people favour hardwood flooring, others find that engineered timber flooring is the best choice for them. Additionally, make sure that you are working with the right professionals and suppliers.

Doing so ensures that you have better flexibility, more choices and are able to get your hands on quality flooring. If you are also interested in unique wood flooring choices such as parquetry flooring, working with a supplier will ensure that you have all the wood pieces that are needed to finish the elaborate floor design with ease.