Choosing Hardwood Flooring: Solid, Engineered, and Acrylic-Impregnated Options

Hardwood flooring options include solid wood (strip, plank, parquet), engineered wood (real veneer over layered core), and acrylic-impregnated boards (resin-filled for extra durability). Choose based on location, moisture, refinishing needs and budget. Prefinished boards cut onsite work; complex patterns and installations over concrete or radiant heat may require professionals.

Hardwood floors remain a strong way to improve a home's look, durability and resale value. Wood is renewable, recyclable and widely available as reclaimed or certified (for example, FSC) options. When maintained, hardwood can last for decades and is available in many styles and finishes.

Types of hardwood flooring

Solid wood

Solid hardwood is a single piece of wood from top to bottom. It comes in "strip" (narrow boards), "plank" (wider boards) and parquet (geometric patterns). Solid boards are typically site-sanded and finished after installation if you choose the unfinished option, or prefinished at the factory.

Strip boards are narrow and create a traditional look; plank boards provide a wider, rustic appearance; parquet offers decorative patterns. Board widths and thicknesses vary by manufacturer and species - check product specifications for exact dimensions .

Engineered wood

Engineered hardwood has a real wood veneer glued over multiple wood layers (plywood or HDF). That layered core improves stability over concrete or in rooms with higher humidity. Engineered floors come prefinished or unfinished. The veneer thickness determines how many times the surface can be sanded and refinished, so verify veneer thickness if long-term refinishing is important ¹.

Engineered can closely match the look of solid hardwood and often costs less overall when installation over certain subfloors or radiant heat systems is required.

Acrylic-impregnated wood

Acrylic-impregnated (also called acrylic-filled) hardwood has been infused with acrylic resin so the color and protective material penetrate through the plank. This makes the surface very hard and resistant to scratching and moisture. It is commonly used in commercial installations but is also available for residential projects ².

Choosing the right type

Consider room use, moisture exposure, subfloor type and whether you want to refinish the floor over time. Solid hardwood can be refinished multiple times; engineered hardwood's long-term refinishing depends on veneer thickness. Wide planks can be more expensive and may need more careful installation.

Prefinished boards reduce onsite work and drying time; site-finished (unfinished) boards let you match a custom stain and leave fewer visible seams, but they require sanding and finishing after installation.

Installation and DIY notes

Many homeowners successfully install hardwood themselves, especially straight plank and strip floors. Proper acclimation, a flat subfloor, correct fasteners or adhesive and allowance for expansion gaps are essential. Parquet, complex patterns and installations over radiant heat or concrete often warrant professional installation.

Maintenance and sustainability

Regular cleaning, using proper cleaners and avoiding excess moisture will extend floor life. For sustainability, look for reclaimed wood, FSC certification or low-VOC finishes.

1. Confirm common standard widths for strip boards (historical values like 1-1/2", 2", 2-1/4" and current market variations).
2. Verify typical width range for plank flooring (commonly 3-8 inches) and any standardization changes since 2006.
3. Confirm common thickness ranges for solid and engineered boards and typical engineered veneer thicknesses that determine refinishing potential.
4. Confirm whether acrylic-impregnated hardwood remains primarily commercial or has become more common in residential markets.