It’s difficult to not fall in love with the look of real hardwood floors. There is just something about it that adds so much value and beauty to any home. If you’re considering purchasing hardwood for your home then you may have stumbled upon some confusion between solid and engineered hardwood. We are here to clear things up: Solid hardwood. It is exactly what it sounds like; it is made from a solid piece of wood that is typically 3/4 of an inch thick. This is great because the homeowner can sand it down and refinish it multiple times throughout its life (about 5-7 times depending on the thickness). Solid hardwood is known to respond to moisture and temperature variations, so it is important to pay close attention to where this will be placed in the home (basement, bathroom, etc.). Engineered hardwood. It is made from real wood, but it has an MDF or plywood core with a veneer on the top surface. The means it is typically more resilient against moisture and heat when compared to solid hardwood. While solid hardwood is either nailed or glued to the subfloor, engineered can also be floated which means it can possibly be placed over concrete in the right conditions. Although engineered hardwood can sometimes be sanded, it is not ideal because of the thinner layers. Both solid and engineered hardwood are lovely options, but sometimes one or the other is not a great option for your home in particular. It is best to contact a professional to come look at where the product will be installed and cover what your expectations are. From that point on they will be able to make a suggestion that will work best.