Elevate Your Space with Timeless Hardwood Floors:
Solid & Engineered ~ Beauty for Every Room
Quality Material & Craftmanship is Always Gaurenteed!
Hardwood Flooring 101: An Overview
What does Hardwood offer?
- Natural Elegance: Whether you choose solid or engineered, hardwood flooring brings unmatched beauty and warmth to any space.
- Longevity & Durability: Built to last for decades, with the ability to refinish solid hardwood multiple times for a fresh look.
- Wide Variety of Styles: From classic oak to exotic woods like Brazilian cherry, hardwood flooring fits any décor.
- Eco-Friendly: Hardwood is a carbon neutral flooring material sourced from renewable forests, produced with less energy than other flooring options.
- Increased Home Value: Hardwood floors are a major selling point, adding value and appeal to your property.
Material Durability & Applications
Solid Hardwood:
- Durability: Known for its strength, solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times, making it an ideal long-term investment.
- Applications: Best for living rooms, dining areas, and bedrooms where it can showcase its natural beauty without exposure to excess moisture.
- Finishing Options: Available in unfinished or prefinished options to match your specific design vision.
Engineered Hardwood:
- Durability: Designed with a real wood veneer over a plywood core, engineered hardwood offers superior stability, making it resistant to humidity and temperature changes.
- Applications: Perfect for basements, kitchens, or other moisture-prone areas where solid wood might not be suitable.
- Versatility: Can be installed over concrete and radiant heating systems, providing more flexibility in placement.
Comparative Advantage:
- Versatility: Engineered hardwood offers greater flexibility in installation, even in below-grade spaces, while solid hardwood provides the traditional, authentic experience.
- Refinishing Capabilities: Solid hardwood can be refinished multiple times for a lifetime of use, while engineered hardwood can be refinished once or twice, depending on the thickness of the wear layer.
- Cost Efficiency: Engineered hardwood is often more cost-effective upfront, while solid hardwood’s long-term refinishing potential offers greater value over time.
- Moisture Resistance: Engineered hardwood is more resistant to humidity and temperature changes, making it the better choice for areas like kitchens and basements, while solid hardwood thrives in drier, climate-controlled spaces.
Get A Free Estimate!
The True Value of Hardwood Flooring:
Understanding Costs & Long-Term Savings
Breaking Down the Costs of Hardwood Flooring & Installation:
Hardwood flooring is often seen as a premium investment, but its true value becomes apparent over time. While upfront costs may be higher than alternatives like laminate or luxury vinyl plank (LVP), hardwood’s exceptional durability and longevity reveal it as the more economical choice in the long run.
Estimated Costs for Hardwood Flooring:
Solid Hardwood Flooring:
- Material Cost: $6 - $12 per square foot
- Installation Cost: $4 - $8 per square foot
- Total Average Cost: $10 - $20 per square foot
Engineered Hardwood Flooring:
- Material Cost: $4 - $10 per square foot
- Installation Cost: $3 - $7 per square foot
- Total Average Cost: $7 - $17 per square foot
Hardwood Comparison to Common Alternatives: A Long-Term Perspective
Although hardwood flooring comes with a higher initial investment, it outlasts most other modern flooring options by 3 to 5 times. Here’s how it compares to laminate and LVP:
- Total Average Cost: $5 - $9 per square foot
- Lifespan: Typically lasts 10-15 years.
- Laminate is a budget-friendly option upfront but wears out more quickly, especially in high-traffic areas. It’s not designed to be refinished, so replacement is often necessary.
- Total Average Cost: $4 - $10 per square foot
- Lifespan: Typically lasts 10-20 years.
- LVP is popular due to its water resistance and affordability, but once worn or damaged, it cannot be refinished and requires full replacement.
- Lifespan: Solid hardwood can last 50-100 years with proper care, and engineered hardwood typically lasts 25-30 years. Solid hardwood can be refinished multiple times, extending its life significantly.*
Why Hardwood is the More Economical Choice:
Over time, the longevity and ability to refinish solid hardwood mean that while laminate or LVP might need replacement two or three times over the lifespan of hardwood, your hardwood floors can be refreshed and maintained to look new, offering a far better return on investment. In the long run, the cost per year for hardwood flooring becomes more economical than lower-priced alternatives.
Get an Accurate Estimate for Your Home
We understand that every home and every project is unique. Contact us today for a Free Estimate, and let us show you how hardwood flooring can be a lasting investment for your home that pays off for decades to come.
Get a free estimate!
Reviews
Related Services
Learn More About
Prudential Floors
Serving the Northeast Philadelphia, Burlington County, NJ, Philadelphia County, PA and Bucks County, PA areas. Prudential Floors specializes in wood, tile, carpet and epoxy overlay flooring services. Installation warranty. Manufacturers' warranties. Monthly promotional specials. Call us for a free estimate.
Shower Pan Pre‐Slope
Self Leveling
Shower Tile
Vinyl Plank Installation
Carpet Installation
Carpet Installation
Share On: