Engineered or solid? Which to choose? Engineered and solid wood floors are both available in the same species and finishes, and once laid the finished floors are very similar. Engineered wood flooring has the advantage of extra stability so it can be used over under floor heating and in rooms where there will be large variations in temperature and humidity throughout the year (e.g. conservatories.) Engineered flooring is also available at reasonable prices to create a floor with wide widths and long lengths. Solid wood flooring has the appeal of a traditional product, with the environmental advantages of using all sizes and grades of lumber and being produced without the extra machining and adhesives involved in the manufacture of engineered floors. A properly laid solid wood floor can last for hundreds of years. Please bear in mind that both types of wood flooring must be laid in suitable conditions by a competent installer. The majority of problems with wood flooring are caused by moisture so it is essential to check site conditions with moisture meters and if necessary to use a moisture barrier under the floor and to improve or add ventilation. Sometimes it will not be possible to successfully install wood flooring if site conditions are too damp. Information supplied by http://www.foresbec.co.uk
I suppose i prefer engineered cos you can lay it like a laminate. Solids terrify me cos they can go wrong more easily and are more difficult to put right if you've stuck them down. Did a 70sm solid oak job before christmas and it's got me wondering how you could replace a couple of planks within the floor if they came up?
I agree mate solids used to frighten me also but if you look at it logicaly and do it by the book i.e damp testing,proper adhesive etc it is not that frightening really and i do quite a lot now and have had no probs( i have jinxed it now) plus you can charge more
