Both are real wood on top. The difference is what sits underneath, and that decides where each floor works best. Here is how to choose with confidence.
How each one is made
Solid hardwood is milled from a single piece of wood, top to bottom. Engineered hardwood has a real wood surface, called the wear layer, bonded over a core of cross-layered plywood or composite. The cross layers resist the natural tendency of wood to swell and shrink with humidity, so engineered planks stay flatter and more stable, especially in wide widths.
Side by side
| Question | Solid hardwood | Engineered hardwood |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Real wood all the way through | Real wood wear layer over a stable core |
| Concrete slab | Generally not recommended directly over slab | Suited to slabs (glued down or floated, per the install guide) |
| Wide planks | More movement as widths increase | Stable in wide planks, 7-1/2" and up |
| Refinishing | Can be sanded and refinished many times | Depends on wear layer thickness (see below) |
| Best rooms | Living and dining rooms, bedrooms, upper floors over wood subfloor | Almost anywhere above grade or on slab, except full bathrooms |
Why the wear layer matters
On engineered hardwood, the wear layer is the part you can sand. As a general guide, a 2 to 3 mm wear layer allows a light screen and recoat or a careful refinish, a 4 mm layer can usually be refinished one to two times, and a 6 mm layer can be refinished several times over the life of the floor, much like solid wood. Always confirm with a flooring professional before sanding.
What Bay Area homes should consider
- Slab foundations. Many California homes, especially newer builds and single-story homes, sit on concrete slabs. Engineered hardwood is usually the better choice there.
- Seasonal humidity. Coastal fog and dry inland summers mean wood moves through the year. Engineered construction handles that movement with fewer gaps and less cupping.
- Long-term value. If you plan to stay for decades and have a wood subfloor, solid hardwood or a thick 6 mm engineered wear layer gives you the most refinishing life.
Our recommendation
Choose engineered hardwood for slabs, wide planks and most modern homes. Choose solid hardwood for a traditional installation over a wood subfloor where you want maximum refinishing life. Still deciding? Order samples or book a showroom visit in Livermore and compare them in person.
We supply flooring only. Follow the manufacturer's installation guide and work with a licensed installer (in California, a C-15 flooring contractor).