- Usually installed over existing or installed plywood.
- Product is normally 3/4" solid wood.
- Normally installed with nails.
- Lifetime warranty of installation under normal conditions.
- Finish will last 5-20 years between reply or refinish.
- Ability to pick any stain color you want.
- Can be hand scraped with or across the grain.
- Can be refinished multiple times.
- Will last 100 years under normal conditions.
Engineered Wood Floors
- Comes in limited color selection.
- Usually glued down directly to subfloor but most can also be nailed down
- Usually constructed out of a layer of plywood with a thin layer of real wood on top.
- Wear layer can be as thin as 1/16" up to 1/4" thick.
- Product thickness ranges between 1/4" up to 3/4" thick.
- Excellent finishes.
- Installation will last 5-30 years be depending on glue and site conditions.
- Large selections of finishes, wood types, and product widths.
- Product movement with changes in temperatures is normally not an issue.
Laminate
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
- Laminate floors are not real wood floors.
- Decorative top is really just a picture laminated to a core backing.
- Excellent impact, scratch, fade and stain resistant.
- Most are glue-less "floating" installed.
- Floating means they are installed without nails or glue. They are never secured to subfloor. They just rest on top of the substrate.
- Cheap types of laminate will not last long (3-5 years) and are not moisture resistant.
- Must be installed with a pad. Higher end laminate floor come with pad already installed.
- Newer higher end laminate has much better water resistance and last much longer.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
- Digital photographic image layer.
- Product is in plank form like engineered wood floors.
- Excellent resistance to moisture, water and climate changes.
- Some products are guaranteed to be water proof.
- Long warranties because they have excellent wear layer.
- Little to no upkeep.
- Floating or glue down application.
