What Type of Wood Flooring Is Right for You?
Wood and wood-look floors have been popular for years, and their look and quality keep getting better. There are options for every budget. Here are the pros and cons of each.
Solid Hardwood
The classic choice. Solid hardwood is three-quarters of an inch thick, usually 2.25 to 5 inches wide, and comes prefinished from the factory or unfinished to be sanded and stained on site in nearly any color.
Pros
- Can be refinished many times over its life
- Timeless natural beauty
Cons
- Can warp or cup in warm, humid conditions
- Not recommended for basements or wet areas
- Scratches easily, a concern with pets and kids
- On-site finishing creates dust and may keep you out of your home for about a week
Engineered Wood
Engineered flooring has a thin layer of real hardwood over a stable plywood core.
Pros
- Much less prone to warping or shrinking
- Available in wider planks, up to eight or nine inches
- Uses less wood, so it is more environmentally friendly
- Lower material and labor costs
Cons
- The thin wear layer can be refinished only once or twice, if at all
- Prone to scratches. Oil finishes hide them best.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
LVP has come a long way, with realistic looks and even textured wood grain in colors from rustic to contemporary. Rigid core products with built-in pads are recommended for homes.
Pros
- Waterproof, so it works in any room
- Stands up to pets and heavy traffic
- Very reasonable price
Cons
- Some buyers still have a negative view of vinyl
- Cannot be refinished. Changing the color means replacing it.
Learn more in our vinyl flooring guide.
Wood-Look Tile
Wood-look porcelain tile looks and feels remarkably like real wood and is a great choice for wet areas like basements, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Material cost may be similar to other options, but tile installation costs much more, and you will have grout to clean.
Other Options
Laminate and sheet vinyl also offer a wood look, though their popularity has declined.
Find the Right Floor for Your Home
Wood and wood-look flooring is one of the top requests we hear, and with today's options you can get the look on any budget. Call Tracy Tesmer Design and Remodeling at 678-450-1700 or contact us online.
This article originally appeared in Lakeside News in February 2022.










