Engineered vs. Solid Hardwood: What Columbus-Area Homeowners Should Know

The engineered-vs-solid question comes down to one thing more than any other in Central Ohio: what's underneath your floor. Here's how solid hardwood and engineered hardwood actually compare for homes in the Greater Columbus Area.

Foundation type decides more than preference does

Solid hardwood needs a wood subfloor - it's the right call for older, pier-and-beam or joist-built homes common around Grove City's older neighborhoods. Engineered hardwood has a stable plywood core under a real wood wear layer, which lets it glue or float directly over concrete slabs - the foundation type found in most newer subdivisions across Pickerington, Dublin, and Canal Winchester.

Humidity and seasonal movement

Central Ohio's humidity swings between a muggy summer and a dry winter heating season, and engineered hardwood's cross-layered core resists the expansion and contraction that can eventually cup solid wood in rooms with big humidity changes - like above a slab or over radiant heat.

Refinishing life

Solid hardwood can typically be sanded and refinished many times over its life since the entire board is real wood. Engineered hardwood can usually be refinished once or twice, depending on the thickness of its top wear layer - worth checking before you assume a floor can be refinished indefinitely.

We'll Tell You Which One Fits

We check your subfloor before recommending either option - never the other way around. See hardwood stairs too if you're extending the project beyond the main floor.