Engineered vs. Solid Hardwood
When homeowners in Bellevue or Seattle start dreaming of a home remodel, “hardwood floors” is usually at the top of the wish list. There is a timeless prestige to wood that simply can’t be matched. However, once you step into our showroom, the first big question arises: Solid or Engineered? While both are technically “real wood,” the way they interact with the unique climate of the Pacific Northwest makes all the difference. In the battle against Seattle’s seasonal humidity shifts, Engineered Hardwood is our local hero.
Understanding the “Sponge” Effect
To understand why engineered wood wins locally, you first have to understand that wood is “hygroscopic.” This is a fancy way of saying wood acts like a sponge; it absorbs moisture from the air when it’s humid and releases it when the air is dry. In a place like Western Washington, our humidity fluctuates wildly. We have soggy, 80% humidity winters followed by dry, breezy summers.
Solid Hardwood is exactly what it sounds like: one solid piece of wood from the top of the plank to the bottom. Because the wood grain all runs in the same direction, the plank expands and contracts significantly as the seasons change. In an older Seattle Craftsman or a home in North Bend, this often leads to “cupping” (where the edges of the board sit higher than the center) during the wet months, or unsightly gaps in the winter when the furnace kicks on and dries out the wood.
The Engineered Advantage: Dimensional Stability
Engineered Hardwood was practically designed for climates like ours. Instead of one solid piece of wood, it is constructed in layers. The top “wear layer” is the beautiful species you see (like White Oak or Walnut), but beneath it are multiple layers of plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF). These layers are stacked in a “cross-grain” configuration—meaning each layer runs perpendicular to the one above it.
When the top layer wants to expand due to a rainy November week, the layer beneath it pulls in the opposite direction, essentially locking the plank in place. This is what we call dimensional stability. It allows you to have those trendy, wide 7-inch or 9-inch planks without the fear that they will warp or buckle over time.
Where Engineered Shines
Because of this stability, engineered hardwood is the only choice for certain areas of the home. If you are installing flooring over a concrete slab (common in many Kirkland or Redmond townhomes) or over a radiant heating system, solid wood is usually off the table because the risk of warping is too high. Engineered wood, however, handles these conditions with ease.
At Carpet To Go, we treat every customer like our own mom, which means we won’t let you install a product that will fail in three years. While solid wood can be sanded more times over a century, engineered wood provides the peace of mind and structural integrity that modern PNW homes require.
Ready to see the difference for yourself? Our experienced staff is ready to help you select the perfect surface for your home. Whether you are in Bothell, Kent, or Issaquah, we are here to ensure your project is a success. Contact Us today to schedule your free in-home consultation or visit our Bellevue showroom!