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Hardwood flooring is made of solid wood, and it’s one of the most popular flooring options. It is usually made of hardwood species like maple, oak or walnut. And it has a significantly longer lifespan that allows for sanding and refinishing over and over.

Engineered wood flooring looks almost identical to the hardwood on the surface, but instead of a single wood plank, it’s made of a high-quality plywood core with a thin layer of hardwood flooring on top. Engineered wood flooring is a more affordable option, but it can’t be refinished to extend its lifespan. Both surfaces are used across the home and they are almost identical in terms of benefits, leaving the choice to be a very personal one. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Local Flooring Contractors Free, No-commitment Estimates Find a Contractor

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Hardwood flooring, also referred to as solid wood flooring, is often made of a hardwood species. Popular species include maple, walnut, oak and cherry. Solid flooring comes from a solid piece of milled wood, hence the name. Hardwood flooring installation involves nailing the wood planks to the subfloor, a project that requires some skills. Because it is solid wood, it can easily be sanded and refinished several times over its lifespan to maintain its appearance.

On the surface, engineered wood flooring is made to look and feel identical to hardwood flooring. But, its construction only uses a thin layer of hardwood to achieve its appearance and has a plywood core. Engineered flooring installation is DIY-friendly and is available in glued or interlocking planks that make it easier to install. Because its top layer is just a thin layer of hardwood, it can’t be refinished as often as solid flooring, but it can still last up to 30 years and more with proper maintenance.

Key Differences Hardwood FlooringEngineered Wood Flooring CostBetween $8 and $15 per square footBetween $4 to $7 per square foot LifespanBetween 30 to 100 years Up to 30 years or more Materials100% HardwoodPlywood core bonded to a thin hardwood layer MoistureWater-resistant, but not waterproofMore water-resistant than hardwood, but not waterproof CoreHardwoodPlywood CleaningDo not use a wet mopWet mop allowed SizesThickness: about 3/4 inch, width: 2 1/4 to 4 inches, length: 12 to 84 inches  Thickness: 3/8 to 9/16 inch , width: 2 1/4 to 7 inches, length: 12 to 60 inches

Hardwood Flooring Hardwood flooring planks vary in width, ranging from 8 inches to 12 inches wide. Once installed, solid flooring tends to have tighter seams between boards. It is available in a wide range of colors and species in pre-finished and unfinished panels for more personalization.

Engineered Wood Flooring Looking almost exactly like hardwood, engineered wood flooring offers more flexibility in terms of width. Because of the veneer layer, engineered wood flooring could easily be mistaken for solid wood once installed. Engineered wood flooring is almost always sold prefinished and there are fewer options for colors and styles than hardwood.

Hardwood Flooring Solid hardwood is relatively easy to clean and maintain. Most floors only need sweeping and vacuuming, with the occasional mopping with a special wood cleaner to treat stains. Just avoid using water or steam to clean wood floors.

However, hardwood flooring is better for long-term maintenance because it can be sanded down and refinished several times over its lifespan to look as good as new.

Engineered Wood Flooring Like hardwood, engineered wood flooring only needs sweeping and vacuuming to stay clean. Occasionally mopping it with wood cleaner can help prevent stains and revitalize the top layer. Most engineered wood floors don’t have a thick enough top hardwood layer to be sanded and refinished overtime. In most cases, they can be refinished once or twice before the hardwood layer is exhausted and you need to repair the planks.

Hardwood Flooring Hardwood flooring has a significantly longer lifespan than most types of floorings available. Hardwood flooring can last anywhere between 30 to 100 years with the proper maintenance and care. This is why we still see some houses with hardwood floors from the 1850s.

Engineered Wood Flooring Although engineered wood flooring can’t be refinished as often as solid hardwood, it can still last up to 30 years or more with proper maintenance. While the entire floor can’t be sanded down and refinished, one of the benefits of engineered wood flooring planks is that they can be easily replaced, especially those installed with the click-and-lock method.

Hardwood Flooring The standard size for hardwood flooring planks is 3/4 inch thick, 2 1/4 inches wide and can vary in length from 12 to 84 inches. There are some other widths and thickness available, however, hardwood flooring plans are usually never more than four inches wide.

Engineered Wood Flooring Engineered wood flooring planks are typically thinner than hardwood flooring planks, at about  3/8- to 9/16 inches thick. However, it’s usually sold in planks that are much wider, reaching up to seven inches in width, and they can range in length from 12 to 60 inches.

Hardwood Flooring Out of the many types of flooring in the market, hardwood is among the most expensive ones. Prefinished hardwood flooring can cost $8 per square foot. On average, you can find hardwood flooring going for prices between $8 and $15 per square foot.

Engineered Wood Flooring On the other hand, engineered wood flooring is a more budget-friendly flooring option. Engineered wood floors range between $2.50 and $10 per square foot. But, most styles are available at $4 to $7 per square foot. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Using your home's equity is an easy way to fund your new floors! Get prequalified in minutes by clicking on your state. Learn More

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Hardwood Flooring The majority of hardwood floors are nailed down to the sub-floor. Another common installation method is using tongue-and-groove planks to join the planks together. Hardwood flooring needs to be attached to a subfloor, usually plywood. Then, planks are nailed to the subfloor through the tongue, so the nails don’t show when the floor is completed.

Engineered Wood Flooring While some engineered wood floors are also nailed to the sub-floor, in most cases, it’s done using the click-and-lock system. This installation method uses tongue-and-groove boards that lock together like Legos to create a tight seam. The system floats over the sub-floor, often made of foam or cork.

Hardwood Flooring When it comes to water and the environment, hardwood flooring is more sensitive than other flooring options. Hardwood is not recommended for installations where humidity or moisture can go through because it causes swelling and warping.

Engineered Wood Flooring While engineered wood flooring isn’t waterproof, it has better performance in humid locations compared to hardwood. Because plywood construction is more stable, this flooring is less susceptible to warping and swelling. However, some engineered wood flooring can include a protective layer over the hardwood veneer to protect even more against water spills and water damage.

Overall, both hardwood and engineered wood flooring have the same resistance to heat. Although, neither material is recommended for wet locations such as bathrooms and basements.

Hardwood Flooring When it comes to selling your house, hardwood flooring is often considered a premium add-on that can increase the resale value. The longevity benefit of hardwood flooring and the premium quality are often a selling point for potential homebuyers. On average, installing hardwood floorings can boost the price of your home by as much as 2.5%.

Engineered Wood Flooring Because engineered wood flooring looks almost precisely like solid hardwood, it’s rarely a turn-off for potential buyers. However, it might not increase the value of a property as hardwood flooring would. No data is supporting the idea that engineered wood flooring provides higher resale value to a house.

In many aspects, hardwood and engineered wood floors can be used interchangeably in most homes. Both flooring options have more similarities than differences, making it a personal decision. The exception to hardwood and engineered wood’s interchangeability comes down to water damage.

Engineered wood flooring is a better choice in high-moisture environments than solid hardwood, making it a better option for kitchens, bathrooms and basements. But, for whole-house installations, both flooring options offer a wide range of style choices. It boils down to your budget (hardwood flooring is more expensive) and style preferences.

Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Local Flooring Contractors Free, No-commitment Estimates Find a Contractor Your Home. Your Decisions. Our Support. Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily.{{ newsletterState.emailErrorMsg }}Thanks & Welcome to the Forbes Home Improvement Community!{{ newsletterState.emailErrorMsg }}I agree to receive the Forbes Home newsletter via e-mail. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information and details on how to opt out.

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Geraldine is a lifestyle writer and content creator. In addition to being a contributing writer at Forbes, she writes for startups and content agencies. Through her design expertise, she provides decor lovers the tips and resources they need to create the home of their dreams.

Lexie is an assistant editor who is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics. She has almost four years’ experience in the home improvement space and harnessed her expertise while working for companies like HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angie’s List).