You already know you’re committed to adding hardwood floors to your home. They’re beautiful, hygienic, and built to last. Easy decision, right?
Well, yes—but after remodeling homes throughout the Dallas Fort Worth area for years, we’ve learned there are some critical details you need to know to make the best long-term decision.
Let’s skip the fluffy stuff and get down to the gritty details.
The Two Types of Hardwood Floors
There are two main types of hardwood floors you’ll come across when planning your remodel.
Engineered Hardwood Floors
Engineered hardwood floors are made from preformed and finished planks that are glued down. Visually, the edges of the planks are rounded down, which makes the seams between planks clearly visible.
These are generally the less expensive option, with lower overall costs for both materials and labor.
But stay with us—there’s a critical downside you need to take into account.
Notice the visible beveled edges
Site-Finished Hardwood Floors
Site-finished hardwood floors are made from planks of raw, dimensioned wood that is installed on site. These floors are installed with glue and often toe-nailed, then scraped or sanded, then stained and sealed—all on site.
The edges of these planks are not rounded, and the appearance is typically more seamless. You’ll see variety between the wood planks due to grain, but texturally, the seams are smooth.
Notice the smooth, seamless appearance
The Long-Term Problem with Engineered Hardwood
When engineered hardwood floors are manufactured, the manufacturers only make so many of each variety before stopping production. This means that after a few years, that particular run of engineered hardwood floors can become nearly impossible to find.
The challenge comes when, in the future, if the floor is damaged—whether from water, scrapes, scratches, or worn finish—or if there’s a remodel and the footprint changes. Repair becomes a serious issue.
Option 1: Order Extra Flooring and Store It
But if the damaged area exceeds your stored flooring, it won’t do any good. The only real solution at that point would be to replace all the engineered hardwood floors.
Option 2: Use Stain Markers
There are “stain markers” that can be used to darken exposed or damaged wood to try and blend it in, but the effect is short-term and rarely looks professional.
To recap: With engineered hardwood flooring, you’re getting a cheaper upfront cost, a decent but not amazing look, and a high long-term repair risk.
We all know things happen.
Why Site-Finished Hardwood Is Different
If damage occurs with site-finished hardwood floors—whether from water, scratches, scrapes, or finish wear—repair is as simple as replacing the damaged boards with the same species of wood that was used before, then sanding or scraping the area and re-staining and sealing the floor.
The whole floor doesn’t have to be replaced. Just the damaged section.
With site-finished wood floors, you’re getting a higher upfront cost with a lower long-term repairability risk.
We’re not going to leave you hanging. There is a clear winner.
With all our years of experience, site-finished floors are your best choice.
We have seen too many situations where homeowners are stuck with damaged floors because they can’t afford to replace them again. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s avoidable.
If site-finished hardwood is completely demolishing your budget, then we recommend luxury vinyl plank or tile as an alternative. It’s durable, repairable, and won’t leave you in a bind down the road.
Full disclosure: We are not sponsored, paid, or in any way affiliated with site-finished hardwood companies. This is tried and true experience from years in the field.
The Verdict: Site-Finished Floors
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