Solid vs Engineered Hardwood Flooring for Your New England Home

Table of Contents

1. The Timeless Hardwood Debate

2. Solid Hardwood: The Multi-Generation Classic

3. Engineered Hardwood: The Modern Performance Leader

4. The Humidity Factor: Surviving Massachusetts Seasons

5. The AJ Rose Verdict

6. Quality with a Conscience

The Timeless Hardwood Debate

Hardwood is more than just flooring in New England—it’s a heritage. Whether you are renovating a Victorian in Saugus or building a modern home in Lexington, choosing between Solid and Engineered hardwood is a pivotal decision.

At AJ Rose, we’ve been the local experts since 1977, and we’ve seen how both materials perform over decades of Massachusetts winters. In this guide, we’ll break down the pros and cons so you can choose the right foundation for your home.

Solid Hardwood: The Multi-Generation Classic

Solid hardwood is one piece of timber from top to bottom.

• The Pros: It can be sanded and refinished multiple times over 100 years. It is a “forever floor” that adds significant resale value to Boston real estate.

• The Cons: It is highly susceptible to moisture. Because it is a natural sponge, it can expand and contract significantly as the heat turns on and off in the winter.

Engineered Hardwood: The Modern Performance Leader

Engineered hardwood is made of a real wood veneer bonded over layers of cross-grained plywood.

• The Pros: This “layered” construction makes it incredibly stable. It won’t warp or buckle, making it the superior choice for basements or homes with radiant heat.

• The Cons: Depending on the thickness of the “wear layer,” it can only be refinished 1–3 times.

The Humidity Factor: Surviving Massachusetts Seasons

In Greater Boston, our homes face extreme humidity swings. In the summer, the air is thick; in the winter, the furnace dries everything out.

• Solid wood will often show small gaps in the winter. For many New Englanders, this is part of the “character” of an old home.

• Engineered wood stays much tighter, offering a more consistent, modern look year-round.

The AJ Rose Verdict

• Choose Solid if you are on the first or second floor of a traditional home and want a floor that will last for your grandchildren.

• Choose Engineered if you want wide planks (which are much more stable in engineered form), have a concrete subfloor, or are installing in a basement.

Quality with a Conscience: Contact AJ Rose Serving the Greater Boston, MA Area

At AJ Rose, our NFA membership allows us to source the finest species of both solid and engineered wood. We don’t just sell you a floor; we help you choose a legacy.

Not sure which wood is right for your subfloor? Visit any of our 4 showrooms for a professional assessment!

AJ Rose proudly serves all of Eastern Massachusetts: Arlington, Brookline, Burlington, Chestnut Hill, Lexington, Natick, Newton, Wellesley, Wilmington, Winchester, Woburn, and greater Boston, as well as our newest location in Needham, MA.