Solid hardwood is manufactured from a solid piece of wood, generally 3/4" thick. Whereas engineered hardwood is manufactured using a veneer of hardwood applied to the surface of each plank, with the remaining plank being made with multiple layers of plywood. Due to its construction, engineered hardwood is manufactured using less hardwood making it an environmentally friendly choice over solid hardwood.

Solid hardwood can only be nailed down onto a wooden sub floor; whereas engineered hardwood, because of its structure, can be installed by nailing, gluing, or floating it and on many different sub floors and surfaces including concrete and over ceramic or linoleum.

Solid hardwood can only be installed in very stable humidity conditions on a wooden sub floor and only on or above the soil level of the home; whereas engineered hardwood can resist higher humidity changes in the home because of its construction and therefore can be installed anywhere in the home including the basement.

Solid hardwood can be resurfaced many times which extends the longevity of the floor to over 100 hundred years. Engineered floors can only be resurfaced one or two times depending on the thickness of the hardwood veneer and provided that the engineered floor was originally glued or nailed down to the subfloor.

Solid hardwood should never be installed over a radiant heat system. Depending on the manufacturer and species of the wood, an engineered hardwood floor may be installed over radiant heat systems.

Solid hardwood is traditionally and currently the most common flooring option available offering home owners many choices of stain colours, species, and grades. In comparison, engineered hardwood is limited in species and grades available.

Solid hardwood requires special tools to install and most likely will require a professional installer. With click engineered floating floors, less specialized tools are required for installation, making it easier for the do-it-yourselfer.