Hi Everyone,

My wife and I are going to start our renovation project next week and would like to change the floor in our new condominium (second floor of a duplex) the underfloor is in wood.

We have been advised of two options:
- Solid hardwood stapled over a cork underlayment
- Engineered hardwood with a sound proof membrane

Every sales rep. we've me kept recommending the second option (also the most expensive), I would like to get a second opinion from the members of this board.

Thanks !
Crak

What were their reason(s) for recommending engineered over solid hardwood?

Good evening JIMMIEM,

Thanks for your answer.

The main reason was a better soundproofing using a double glue down method. I also guess when they hear the word "condo", they immediately see large condo tower and believe the floor is concrete.

I like the cork option for it environmental impact but I just want to make sure the main reason to use engineered in condo is for the concrete sub-floor thing than anything else.

Crak

Are the sales reps installers? What type of store do they work in? Are they working on commission? Whatever brands a flooring store carries will be 'the best'. How about having an actual installer look at the job site....there may be other valid reasons for going with engineered e.g. flooring thickness. Different manufacturer's engineered flooring can have wear layers of different thicknesses which would come into play should refinishing be needed due to wear or damage. Solid hardwood would win here. Any other Condo tenants have hardwood? If so, take a look at theirs.