Want the warmth of wood floors? You have three serious contenders today: solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, and SPC. Here’s how they stack up.

Solid Hardwood

The classic. 3/4″ of real wood, refinishable multiple times, lasts a century with care. But it’s expensive, sensitive to moisture, and not ideal for basements or below-grade installs.

Engineered Hardwood

A real wood veneer on top of a plywood core. More dimensionally stable than solid wood, can go over concrete, costs less. Can be refinished once or twice depending on veneer thickness.

SPC (Rigid Vinyl)

Stone-polymer core with a printed wood-look surface. 100% waterproof, very durable, budget-friendly, easy DIY install. No refinishing needed because it can’t be sanded — but it also doesn’t need to be.

Quick Picks

• Forever home, dry rooms: Solid hardwood
• Whole-house value: Engineered hardwood
• Wet areas, rentals, kids, pets: SPC

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