True hardwood is much more expensive than engineered. It needs a proper vapor barrier and typically a plywood base to nail floor and glue into. Hardwood has a solid ‘feel’ and is quieter. Due to the added subfloor and floor thickness, the doors have to be bottom trimmed, dishwasher may not fit, etc. They used to do no glue tongue and groove floors in very old houses– remember the squeaky floors?.. Depending on the wood, it can be pre-finished or sanded and finished in place. You will not like the dust and voc from wood staining finishing in place.
Engineered has many more design options and is fast to install and fast to replace. Solid option, pun intended.
Installer is the key to any floor. And, you must have a excellent concrete prep before installing. The concrete must be ground and leveled perfectly. If you don’t, the floating floor will have dips and ‘cracking sounds’ when you walk on it.
Absolutely- walk on a floor installed by your prospective installer before hiring.
