If you’ve decided on wood floors, there are actually two major types to choose from, with one probably being more suited to your needs than the other. The first, of course, is real solid wood. The other is engineered wood. The difference is that engineered flooring is not solid wood through and through, but rather a real wood veneer placed on a composite backing. You’re still getting the real thing, just not as much of it.
So what’s the difference between the two? The main difference is the placement. Solid flooring can never be placed below grade, because of the way it reacts to temperature changes, humidity, and dampness. Engineered flooring can, however, and is often the backup plan in this situation.
Engineered flooring is also much easier to install, as there aren’t as many specialty tools involved with the cutting and fitting of the boards. Along these same lines, there is also no need for specialized finishing, and you can often walk on the floors as soon as the installers leave. This differs from solid wood, in that you have to allow the finish or stain to dry before walking on it or placing your furniture back in that room.