Solid wood vs Engineered wood: Choose the right one for your home décor

CRITERIA

SOLID WOOD

ENGINEERED WOOD

Hardness

Ranges from soft to hard based on the type and species of the source tree.

It also offers a range from hard to soft, HDF being the hardest and particleboard the softest.

Strength

Hardwood is known for its strength. Any solid wood is generally superior to engineered wood in this regard.

Often it is not as strong as the solid wood variety. But some premium options of, say ply or HDF can prove to be stronger than a low-grade solid wood.

Durability

Highly durable. It can be sanded and refinished multiple times during its lifetime. Thus, when maintained properly,  it can last for as long as 100 years. An excellent example is the heirloom furniture or accessories we see in our homes.

Generally, if it is well maintained, it can easily last up to 20 to 30 years. This is so because it can be sanded down and refinished only once, and a maximum of twice if it is a good quality hardwood.

Resistance to heat and water

The drawback of solid wood is that it is not resistant to moisture and temperature. It loses its dimensions due to warping and/or frequent expansion and contraction. While some types may fare better than others across each condition, it still performs poorly in this regard.

Most engineered wood performs better than solid wood against humidity, moisture and extreme temperature. It is not easy to warp or change dimensions, ensuring structural integrity.

Resistance to termites

Certain tree species such as cedars, black walnut, sal wood, etc., are known to have some natural resistance to termites. But all solid wood needs to be treated chemically to ensure complete termite resistance.

Engineered wood too is not resistant to termite and must be treated chemically to ensure longevity.

Ease of work

Solid hardwood’s dense structure and weight make it challenging to work with, install and move.

Engineered wood is much lighter than any solid wood. It is easier to drill, cut, install, and move about.

Care and cleaning

Sweeping/ dusting, vacuuming and damp mopping are enough.

These kinds of wood have to be cared for the same way as solid wood.

Cost

Generally quite expensive since timber can be harvested once the trees are fully grown. This can take decades and sometimes even more. Its weight makes it difficult to transport it. Since the ease of work is relatively low, it requires special equipment and skills to deal with it. All of this combined makes solid wood prices high.

Engineered wood can be manufactured at a fraction of the cost of solid wood. It can be transported easily due to its lightweight and is relatively easy to work with. This makes engineered wood prices low. Thus, it is a significantly cheaper option, especially when making or building something new.

Sustainability

Solid wood is a non-renewable source and therefore not eco-friendly, particularly when building or making new things.

Restoring and reusing existing solid wood products is a more sustainable practice.

Engineered wood is not made of fresh timber but the scraps and derivatives of wood products. This makes it more sustainable. But the manufacturing process involves the use of high amounts of energy and some toxic chemicals, which can be causes for concern.