Hey everyone! I'm from Lithuania, and with a climate similar to Minneapolis, I'm considering installing solid oak flooring in my home. I've come across a lot of info suggesting that engineered parquet is better suited for cold winters and underfloor heating. The thing is, solid oak floor is cheaper for me, especially when I factor in the costs of sanding, staining, and varnishing. I'm curious about how significant the difference really is regarding deformation due to relative humidity? Also, do I need to worry about micro bevels? I'm planning to have HRV and AC systems installed, and I'd love to hear from anyone who's had solid oak flooring for over five years. Your insights would be greatly appreciated!
1 Answer
Engineered flooring really shines when it comes to stability, especially in places with fluctuating humidity. It expands and contracts way less than solid hardwood. If you're living in a well-sealed space with stable humidity, solid oak might work fine, but expect some gaps in the winter due to the nature of wood. It's not a huge deal, just an aesthetic thing. Plus, with engineered flooring, you often go for a prefinished option, which is typically tougher than a DIY finish. If you're going to install it yourself, engineered is easier to handle than nailing down solid hardwood. Just think about your time versus cost! Any decent oak floor, whether solid or engineered, should last you over 20 years if installed properly, unless it gets seriously damaged.
Awesome, thanks for the clarity! Just to make sure, if I go with solid oak, for the first decade, I shouldn't experience major issues, just some natural expansion and contraction, right?