The Ultimate Guide to Wood and Wood Looking Flooring

You’ve decided to replace some flooring, which is so exciting until you realize the number of options you have to choose from. Not only do you have to figure out what you want it to look like, you also have to decide on which material is best for your home. You know you want a wood or wood-looking floor, but do you go with solid hardwood? Engineered hardwood? Laminate? Vinyl? Tile? Ahh! It’s great to have all of these options, but oh my word it can be overwhelming. Don’t worry, friend! We’re here to break down the most widely used wood and wood looking flooring materials in residential applications.

Flooring is quite literally the base of your home, and what you finish it with sets the tone for the entire space. Wood and wood-look flooring have been one of the most popular choices in America for generations. It’s warm and versatile, and now thanks to composite options can be affordable, maintenance free and easy to install. There are five options for homeowners who want wood or wood-look flooring:

• Solid Hardwood

• Engineered Hardwood

• Laminate

• Luxury Vinyl Plank

• Tile

We’ll do a deep dive into tile in another post, so let’s focus on the first four options for now. We break down their composition, how and where to install them, the maintenance and cleaning recommendations of each, as well as some ballpark pricing.

SOLID HARDWOOD

Composition

Just as the name says, this flooring is solid wood through and through. It’s typically found in 3/4” thickness, but there are also options in 5/16” and 1/2” thick. Because of it’s solid nature, it can be refinished multiple times over it’s incredibly long lifespan. Solid hardwood is beautiful and durable, with a few caveats.

Installation

As durable as solid hardwood flooring is, there are some applications where it’s not the best choice. There are certain environments where wood tends to warp because of expansion and contraction. This is a result of changing temperatures and humidity, which makes it a terrible choice for bathrooms. Well, here’s another caveat. It would likely be fine in a powder room or half bathroom, but is not recommended in areas with a shower or tub. Another big no no? Solid hardwood should not be installed on a below-grade slab, such as in a basement. You may find conflicting advice on this subject, but we don't recommend it. Our thought is why risk it when there are other options available. Even with the highest quality moisture barriers, many professionals would caution against this. An above-grade slab is usually fine with the proper precautions but always ask the supplier or your contractor for their recommendations.

There are two common installation methods for solid hardwood: nails or staples and glue.

• Nails/Staples: These are the most common method when installing on a subfloor

• Glue: Most often used when installing on a slab but can also be used on subfloor

Cleaning & Maintenance

Solid hardwood flooring needs to be dry and/or damp cleaned regularly. Remember it’s susceptible to moisture so you can’t just slop a bunch of water down and push it around with a mop like it’s a restaurant kitchen. Most solid hardwoods recommend using a specialized cleaning solution and method, made specifically for the floor’s sealant . This info can be provided by the supplier or installer. It is also recommended to refinish the floors every 3-5 years to keep them in tip-top shape.

Average Cost

$7-$15/sq ft installed

Quick View Chart

ENGINEERED HARDWOOD

Composition

Engineered hardwood is a great option on the market today. It’s made up of a thin layer of hardwood, which is bonded to a plywood base. Because of the thin layer of hardwood, this product can only be refinished once, mayyybe twice in it’s lifetime. Obviously this is more limiting when compared to solid hardwood, however it’s plywood base makes it a more versatile option in terms of installation.

Installation

This product can be installed in most areas with proper precautions taken. There are three options for installation methods - glue, nail, or float.

• Glue: This is the recommended method when installing on a concrete slab (don’t forget your moisture barrier). Glue can also be used on a subfloor, but nailing is typically recommended.

• Nail: This method is most used by contractors when installing onto a subfloor. Nails allow for more of the nature expansion and contraction you expect from wood floors than glue does.

• Float: This is the easiest method of installing engineered hardwood, but has it’s drawback. Floating floors are not attached to the subfloor in any way and therefore tend to shift and cause gaps between planks, especially in high traffic areas. There are remedies for that, but gaps can be avoided by gluing or nailing the floor.
  

Cleaning & Maintenance

The cleaning and maintenance recommendations are the same as they are for solid hardwood.

Average Cost

$3-$14 sq ft installed

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LAMINATE

Composition

Laminate flooring has surged in popularity over the last ten or so years as the go to wood-look option. It’s made up of a core of wood by-products and resins, and is covered with a printed design layer that is sealed with a hard plastic. It is durable and maintenance free, with the characteristics and feel of wood flooring.

Installation

Laminate flooring has limited moisture resistance and is prone to expand and contract, which limits install options. Dry locations are best; it should not be used in bathrooms or areas with high humidity. The good news is that it can be installed on top of virtually anything - even slabs with the correct moisture barrier. It is installed with tongue and grooves as a floating floor, making it a breeze to put in.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Laminate flooring is virtually maintenance free, which is incredibly appealing to a lot of people. If you drop something and it leaves a mark, just fill it in with a scratch pen in the correct color. It should be swept or vacuumed regularly, as well as damp cleaned.

We recommend this method with an easy homemade solution: In a squirt bottle, mix equal parts of water, vinegar and rubbing alcohol, and a couple drops of dish soap. Don't overdo it with the soap as it can leave the floor feeling sticky. If you’d like to make it more fragrant you can add your favorite essential oils. Simply squirt the solution on a small section of floor and then immediately wipe it dry with a microfiber cloth. Continue working through the space one area at a time. The key is to not allow the solution to sit long, causing it to seep into the cracks and damage the core of the flooring.

Average Cost

$2-8/ sq ft installed

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VINYL PLANK

Composition

Another composite flooring material that has taken the market by storm is vinyl, and more specifically LVP, or luxury vinyl plank. It is 100% synthetic, made of PVC mixed with color pigments, calcium carbonate, plasticizers, fungicide and UV stabilizers, making it extremely moisture resistant.

Installation

Vinyl plank flooring can be either glued down or installed as a floating floor. Gluing is recommended for large applications to prevent the planks from moving and causing gaps. The beauty about LVP is that it can go literally anywhere, on top of just about anything. Except carpet - please don’t put it on top of carpet.

Cleaning & Maintenance

This is where LVP flooring really stands out. Clean it with anything, maintain nothing... that is all.

Average Cost

$2-8/sq ft installed

Quick View Chart

We hope you’re feeling more educated on the ins and outs of wood and wood-look flooring! If you still feel unsure you can always ask your contractor what they recommend. We’re here for you too! We can help coordinate beautiful options for you that will accent your home and make it stand out from the rest. Check out the rest of our website to learn how we do design differently.