Waukesha Hardwood Floor Installers

Installing Prefinished Hardwood vs. Solid Hardwood

Prefinished hardwood floors arrive ready for installation, allowing for a quick setup and immediate use upon completion. The floors feature a durable, factory-applied finish, streamlining the installation process and eliminating the need for on-site sanding and finishing. This results in less mess, reduced installation time and minimal disruption to your home. Solid hardwood floors are crafted entirely from a single piece of wood, typically 3/4 inch thick, allowing for multiple refinishing opportunities over their lifespan and providing a timeless, authentic appeal that many homeowners desire.

While engineered wood offers a wide range of design possibilities and is still considered a genuine wood product, it differs fundamentally from solid hardwood floors. In contrast, engineered wood floors consist of multiple layers of plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF) with a solid wood veneer on top. This construction can utilize various wood species such as oak, hickory, maple, birch, or bamboo for the top layer. The multi-layer design provides enhanced stability and resistance to moisture and temperature fluctuations, making engineered wood suitable for installation in areas where solid hardwood may not be recommended, such as basements or over-radiant heating systems.