Hardwood Floors vs Engineered Wood: How to Choose the Right One for Your Home

Flooring sets the tone of a home. It influences how light moves across a room, how warm the space feels, and even how sound travels. 

When renovating or furnishing, many people eventually face the same question: should you choose hardwood floors or engineered wood? Both offer a natural, warm look, but they function differently and suit different lifestyles. 

Here’s a clear breakdown to help you decide.

1. What Hardwood Actually Is

Hardwood flooring is made from solid planks of timber—oak, maple, walnut, cherry, ash, and other species. Each plank is a single piece of wood from top to bottom. Some characteristics include: 

• Long lifespan

• Can be sanded and refinished many times

• Develops natural patina over the years

• Sensitive to moisture and temperature changes

Hardwood floors are classic, durable, and often associated with premium homes. Their main limitation is stability; because they’re solid wood, they expand and contract depending on the environment.

2. What Engineered Wood Is

Engineered wood looks like hardwood because the surface layer is real timber. Underneath, however, it’s constructed of multiple layers of plywood or high-density fibreboard. These layers run in different directions to increase stability. Some traits: 

• Suitable for humid climates

• Less prone to warping

• Usually cheaper than solid hardwood

• Depending on the top layer’s thickness, can be refinished once or a few times

Engineered wood provides the appearance of hardwood without some of the maintenance challenges.

3. Appearance: Do They Look Different?

Visually, high-quality engineered wood looks almost identical to solid hardwood because the top layer is genuine timber. However, hardwood develops deeper patina and grain character over time, which can give it a richer, more lived-in look. Engineered wood ages too, but usually with less dramatic change.

If you want a floor that looks “timeless” and naturally ages with the home, hardwood leans in that direction. If you prefer consistent colour and less long-term change, engineered wood is steadier.

4. Durability and Longevity

Some advantages of hardwood flooring: 

• Can last a lifetime if maintained well

• Can be sanded and refinished many times

• More sensitive to scratches but easier to repair

Compare that to engineered wood flooring: 

• Typically lasts 20–30 years depending on quality

• Refinishing depends on the thickness of the surface layer

• More resistant to humidity and temperature shifts

For long-term homes where you want floors that can be refreshed again and again, hardwood wins. For apartments, rental properties, or renovation projects with moderate budgets, engineered wood is usually more practical.

5. Installation

Hardwood installation:

• Usually nailed or glued

• Requires a completely dry subfloor

• More labour-intensive

• Not suitable for basements or moisture-prone areas

Engineered wood installation:

• Can be floated, glued, or clicked into place

• Faster installation

• Works with underfloor heating

• Suitable for basements and humid climates

If speed and flexibility matter, engineered wood is significantly easier.

6. Climate and Humidity Considerations

This is one of the biggest deciding factors.

Hardwood expands and contracts more noticeably with changes in humidity. In older homes, people expect this; in newer apartments with air conditioning running daily, you may notice slight gaps or cupping.

Engineered wood is more stable because of its layered structure. It handles moisture and temperature shifts better, making it ideal for:

• tropical climates

• coastal areas

• basements

• rooms with underfloor heating

If you live somewhere humid, engineered wood is the safer choice.

7. Cost Differences

Costs vary by region, species of wood, and installation fees, but generally:

• Hardwood: more expensive for both material and installation

• Engineered wood: more affordable and easier to install

For example:

• A solid oak floor may cost significantly more per square metre than engineered oak.

• Installation for engineered wood is often half the labour price because the process is simpler.

If you’re furnishing a large space, engineered wood can reduce the total cost noticeably.

8. Maintenance Needs

Both require regular sweeping, occasional mopping with wood-safe products, and avoidance of excessive water.

Hardwood maintenance:

• Sensitive to liquid spills

• Needs refinishing every 10–20 years depending on use

• Repairable after deep scratches

Engineered wood maintenance:

• More tolerant of temperature and humidity changes

• Refinishing depends on the wear layer (usually once or twice)

• More resistant to warping

If you want low stress and minimal upkeep, engineered wood is more forgiving.

9. Environmental Impact

Sustainability depends on sourcing. FSC-certified hardwood and engineered products both exist.

Engineered wood uses less actual hardwood because only the top layer is solid timber. That means more flooring is produced from the same amount of wood, making it more resource-efficient.

Hardwood is natural, long-lasting, and biodegradable, but requires more trees for full planks.

If sustainability is central to your decision, engineered wood generally has a lower resource footprint.

10. So Which One Should You Choose?

Here’s a simplified guide- you should choose hardwood if: 

• You want a floor that lasts decades or longer

• You prefer the authentic feel and sound of solid wood

• You’re okay with a higher price

• You live in a stable, dry environment

  You appreciate natural ageing and patina

Choose engineered floors if: 

• Your climate is humid

• You want budget-friendly flooring

• You need quick, flexible installation

• You’re using underfloor heating

• You want wood floors in a basement or moisture-prone area

In many modern homes, engineered wood ends up being the more practical option. But if you’re renovating a long-term residence or restoring a historical space, hardwood remains unmatched for character and longevity.

Final Thoughts

Both hardwood and engineered wood floors can make a home feel warm, welcoming, and polished. The right choice depends less on aesthetics—they look nearly identical—and more on lifestyle, budget, and environmental conditions.

If you choose based on how you live and what your space demands, you’ll end up with floors that not only look beautiful but also last for years.