Solid Wood = Stronger Wood?

If you think solid wood flooring is naturally stronger and harder than engineered wood flooring, think again. While solid wood does offer the solidity of one complete piece of milled lumber, engineered wood combines several layers or "plies" of wood in the planks. Solid wood comes in widths from 2-1/4" to 5" wide and have standard thickness of around 3/4". The overriding benefits of solid wood are its "natural" state, as well as the fact that it can be sanded and refinished over time. Alternately, a coat of urethane can be added and reapplied to the flooring, which reduces the cost of full sanding and refinishing.