Hardwood vs Engineered Hardwood in Calgary’s Climate: What’s Best for Your Home?
When it comes to adding warmth, style, and long-lasting value to your Calgary home, hardwood flooring is often top of mind. But with Calgary’s unique climate — cold, dry winters and warm, fluctuating summers — the choice between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood deserves careful consideration.
Understanding the Basics
Solid hardwood is exactly what it sounds like — each plank is made from a single piece of wood, typically ¾-inch thick. It can be sanded and refinished multiple times over decades, making it a timeless and durable option.
Engineered hardwood, on the other hand, is made of a real wood veneer on top of several layers of plywood or high-density fiberboard. This layered construction gives it excellent dimensional stability and makes it less prone to expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and humidity.
Calgary’s Climate Challenge
Calgary’s dry air in winter and fluctuating humidity in summer create a tough environment for natural wood. When the humidity drops below 30%, solid hardwood can shrink, leading to gaps or even cracking. In summer, when humidity rises, the wood may expand, causing cupping or warping if not properly acclimated and installed.
Engineered hardwood is far more resistant to these moisture-related changes, making it a smart choice for Calgary homes — especially for basements, condos, or areas where humidity control is inconsistent.
Installation and Maintenance Differences
Solid hardwood requires nail-down installation and is best suited for above-grade applications where humidity can be well-managed. Engineered hardwood offers more flexibility: it can be nailed, glued, or even floated, allowing installation over concrete subfloors and radiant heating systems — both common in Calgary’s modern builds.
Maintenance-wise, both need regular cleaning and humidity control. A humidifier in winter and dehumidifier in summer help preserve their beauty and stability. Engineered hardwood, though slightly thinner on the top layer, can still be refinished once or twice depending on thickness, extending its life significantly.
Aesthetic and Value Considerations
From a visual standpoint, both types of flooring offer the same luxurious look — since the top layer of engineered hardwood is real wood, it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference once installed. When it comes to resale value, both options are desirable; however, engineered hardwood’s practicality in Calgary’s environment often makes it the more sensible investment for long-term stability and comfort.
The Verdict
For Calgary homeowners seeking lasting beauty with less maintenance stress, engineered hardwood is the more climate-resilient option. However, if you’re a purist looking for traditional craftsmanship and plan to control indoor humidity year-round, solid hardwood remains a premium choice.
Whichever you choose, invest in professional installation and proper acclimatization — these steps make all the difference in ensuring your floors stand the test of Calgary’s weather.
Contact us today for a quote on a wide variety of hardwood options.
