Why Engineered Hardwood Outperforms Solid Hardwood in WNC’s Humidity

If you’re shopping for hardwood floors in Asheville or anywhere in Western North Carolina, you’ve probably heard conflicting advice about engineered versus solid hardwood. Some say solid is always better. Others insist engineered is the only smart choice for our area.

After 50 years of installing hardwood floors throughout the Blue Ridge region, we can tell you the answer isn’t about which is “better” in general. It’s about which performs better in our specific mountain climate. And for most WNC homes, engineered hardwood wins that contest decisively.

Here’s why our humidity makes such a difference, and what you need to know before choosing hardwood for your home.

How Western NC Humidity Affects Wood Flooring

Wood is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs and releases moisture from the surrounding air. When humidity rises, wood absorbs moisture and expands. When humidity drops, wood releases moisture and contracts.

In stable climates where humidity stays relatively consistent year-round, this movement is minimal. Solid hardwood performs beautifully in these environments with proper installation and care.

Western North Carolina is not a stable climate.

Our Dramatic Humidity Swings

Asheville’s humidity regularly swings 50 percentage points or more between summer and winter. July afternoons can push indoor humidity above 70% even with air conditioning running. January nights with the heat on can drop indoor levels below 25%.

This constant expansion and contraction cycle stresses solid hardwood in ways that eventually show. Gaps appear between boards in winter as the wood shrinks. Cupping or crowning can develop in summer as boards absorb moisture and swell against each other.

Over years of these cycles, even well-installed solid hardwood floors can develop permanent issues that require refinishing or replacement.

The Engineering Advantage

Engineered hardwood was designed specifically to handle the challenges that defeat solid wood. The construction difference explains why.

Cross-Grain Plywood Core

Solid hardwood is exactly what it sounds like: a single piece of wood milled into a plank. The grain runs in one direction throughout the entire thickness. When moisture causes movement, the entire plank moves together in the same direction.

Engineered hardwood bonds a real hardwood top layer to multiple plywood layers beneath. Each plywood layer has its grain running perpendicular to the layers above and below it. This cross-grain construction means when one layer wants to expand, the layers around it resist that movement.

The result is a floor that stays remarkably stable despite humidity changes that would cause solid wood to move significantly.

Real Hardwood Where It Matters

Quality engineered hardwood isn’t a compromise or imitation product. The top layer is genuine hardwood, often 2-4mm thick depending on the product line. You see, feel, and walk on real oak, hickory, maple, or whatever species you choose.

The difference is entirely beneath the surface, where engineering replaces solid wood with a more stable structure. Your floor looks identical to solid hardwood. It just behaves better in challenging conditions.

Performance Differences in Mountain Homes

The technical explanation matters, but real-world performance matters more. Here’s what we see in WNC homes with each flooring type.

Winter Gapping

Solid hardwood floors in Asheville homes commonly develop visible gaps between boards during winter heating season. As indoor humidity drops and the wood contracts, spaces appear that weren’t there in summer.

Some gapping is normal and expected with solid hardwood. The question is whether it bothers you and how much maintenance you’re willing to perform. Proper humidity control helps, but rarely eliminates the issue entirely in our climate.

Engineered hardwood shows minimal gapping in the same conditions. The dimensional stability keeps boards tight throughout the heating season.

Summer Cupping

When solid hardwood absorbs excess moisture in humid conditions, individual boards can cup, meaning the edges rise higher than the center of each plank. Severe cupping creates an uneven walking surface and an obvious visual flaw.

Cupping often appears in kitchens, bathrooms, or rooms above crawl spaces where moisture exposure is higher. We’ve seen cupped solid hardwood floors in homes throughout the French Broad valley where humidity and elevation combine to create challenging conditions.

Engineered hardwood resists cupping because the cross-grain core prevents the uneven moisture absorption that causes it. The top hardwood layer can’t cup when the layers beneath won’t allow that movement.

Basement and Below-Grade Applications

Solid hardwood should never be installed below grade in Western North Carolina. Basements in our area, even well-constructed ones, carry too much moisture risk. The potential for water infiltration, concrete slab moisture, and high ambient humidity makes solid wood installation inadvisable.

Engineered hardwood can work in some below-grade applications with proper moisture testing, vapor barriers, and humidity control. We evaluate each basement individually to determine whether hardwood of any type is appropriate

For most basement installations in our area, we recommend luxury vinyl plank as the lower-risk option that still delivers beautiful wood looks.

When Solid Hardwood Still Makes Sense

We’re not saying solid hardwood never works in Asheville. Some situations still favor traditional solid wood flooring.

Homes with Excellent Humidity Control

If you’re committed to maintaining indoor humidity between 35-55% year-round with whole-house humidification and dehumidification, solid hardwood can perform well. This requires investment in equipment and ongoing attention to maintaining those levels.

Some homeowners prefer this approach because they want the refinishing potential solid wood offers. Solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its lifespan, while engineered hardwood is limited by the thickness of its top layer.

Historic Restoration Projects

When restoring a historic Asheville bungalow or mountain farmhouse, matching existing solid hardwood floors makes sense for maintaining authentic character. We can source species and cuts that complement original flooring while accepting the maintenance requirements that come with solid wood in our climate.

Main Floor Installations Over Basements

Solid hardwood on main living floors above conditioned basements carries less risk than installations over crawl spaces or on concrete slabs. The controlled environment below provides some buffer against moisture extremes.

Even in these installations, we recommend enhanced humidity control and proper acclimation before installation.

American-Made Engineered Hardwood Options

Leicester Flooring carries engineered hardwood from Shaw, Mohawk, Mannington, Anderson Tuftex, and other American manufacturers. Many of these products use Appalachian hardwoods sourced from forests right here in our region.

Shaw and Anderson Tuftex

Shaw’s engineered collections offer extensive style options from traditional oak to contemporary gray-toned finishes. Their Floorté waterproof engineered line adds extra protection for moisture-prone areas.

Anderson Tuftex focuses on premium engineered hardwood with distinctive textures and finishes. Their products represent some of the most beautiful engineered options available.

Mohawk and Mannington

Mohawk’s TecWood and UltraWood engineered collections provide excellent value with reliable performance. Multiple construction options address different installation conditions and budgets.

Mannington’s engineered hardwood emphasizes style innovation with realistic hand-scraped and wire-brushed textures. Their products consistently rank among the most popular in our showroom.

Installation Considerations for WNC

Proper installation matters as much as product selection. Our installation team follows specific practices developed for mountain conditions.

Extended Acclimation

We recommend 5-7 days of acclimation for engineered hardwood in WNC homes. Materials should be stored in the rooms where they’ll be installed with your HVAC system running normally. This allows the flooring to adjust to your home’s specific humidity levels before installation.

Moisture Testing

Before installation, we test subfloor moisture levels to identify potential problems. Concrete slabs in mountain homes can hold surprising moisture, especially in older construction or hillside builds. If moisture levels are too high, we’ll recommend appropriate barriers or mitigation.

Proper Expansion Gaps

Even dimensionally stable engineered hardwood needs room to move. Our installers leave appropriate expansion gaps around perimeters and transitions that allow for seasonal adjustment without buckling or damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can engineered hardwood be refinished?

Yes, most quality engineered hardwood can be refinished at least once, sometimes twice depending on the thickness of the top hardwood layer. Products with thicker wear layers (3-4mm) offer more refinishing potential. Solid hardwood typically allows more refinishing cycles, which is its main advantage over engineered.

Is engineered hardwood less durable than solid?

The top wear layer on engineered hardwood is the same species and hardness as solid hardwood. Day-to-day durability against scratches and dents is identical. The difference is in dimensional stability and moisture resistance, where engineered outperforms solid.

Does engineered hardwood cost more than solid?

Prices overlap significantly between solid and engineered hardwood. Entry-level engineered products cost less than premium solid hardwood, while high-end engineered collections can exceed basic solid options. Installation costs are similar for both.

How can I tell if my existing hardwood is solid or engineered?

Look at an exposed edge, such as in a closet or at a floor vent. Solid hardwood shows continuous grain through the entire thickness. Engineered hardwood shows distinct layers with different grain directions. If you can’t access an edge, we can help identify your flooring during a consultation.

Which species works best for engineered hardwood in Asheville?

Oak remains the most popular choice for its durability, availability, and versatile appearance. Hickory offers harder wear surfaces for high-traffic homes. Maple provides a cleaner, more contemporary look. All species perform well in engineered construction for our climate.

Make the Right Choice for Your Mountain Home

The best flooring choice depends on your specific home, your lifestyle, and how much humidity management you’re willing to maintain. For most Asheville and Hendersonville homeowners, engineered hardwood delivers the beauty of real wood with performance that handles our challenging climate.

At Leicester Flooring, we’ve helped thousands of WNC families choose flooring that performs beautifully for decades. We’ll show you options that make sense for your situation and explain exactly what to expect from each product

Visit our showroom to see and feel the difference between solid and engineered hardwood. Bring your questions, and let our team’s 50 years of local experience guide your decision.

Schedule a free in-home measure to get started.