Unmasking the Authentic: How to Tell If Your Wood Floor is Real Wood

The warmth, beauty, and timeless appeal of real wood floors are highly sought after by homeowners. However, with the advancements in engineered wood and wood-look alternatives like laminate and luxury vinyl plank, it can sometimes be challenging to discern how to tell if the floor is real wood. 

Understanding the key characteristics of a real wood floor will empower you to identify its authenticity and appreciate its unique qualities. At Murley's Floor Covering, serving the Tri-Cities area with a wide selection of genuine hardwood since 2005, we're here to guide you on how to tell if your floor is real wood.

Why Authenticity Matters: The Unique Qualities of Real Wood Floor

Distinguishing how to tell if floor is real wood is important because genuine hardwood offers several unique benefits:

• Timeless Beauty: Real wood floor possesses a natural warmth, grain variation, and character that synthetic alternatives strive to replicate but rarely fully achieve.
• Durability and Longevity: Solid hardwood floors, in particular, can last for generations with proper care and can be refinished multiple times to restore their original beauty.
• Increased Home Value: Homes with real wood floor often command a higher resale value.
• Unique Character: Each plank of real wood floor is unique, with its own grain patterns, knots, and color variations, creating a one-of-a-kind look.
• Sustainability (Depending on Source): Choosing responsibly harvested real wood floor can be an environmentally conscious decision.

 

Key Characteristics: How to Tell If Your Floor is Real Wood

Here are several key characteristics to look for when trying to determine how to tell if your floor is real wood:

Look at the Edges and Cross-Section: The Tell-Tale Layers

Real Wood: 

Solid hardwood planks are a single piece of solid wood. When you look at the edges or a cross-section (if visible, such as at a vent or unfinished edge), you will see consistent wood grain throughout the entire thickness of the plank.

Engineered Wood: 

Engineered wood consists of a thin veneer (a layer of real wood) bonded to a core of plywood or other composite material. The edges and cross-section will show this distinct layered construction. The top veneer will have a wood grain, but the core layers will look different.

Laminate/Vinyl: 

Laminate flooring has a photographic image of wood grain on its surface, bonded to a composite core. The edges will show this distinct layer, and the pattern will often repeat. Vinyl planks are typically made of PVC or other synthetic materials with a printed wood-look layer. The edges will show the solid synthetic material.

Observe the Pattern Repeat: The Uniqueness of Nature

Real Wood: 

Due to the natural variation in wood grain, you should see unique patterns on each plank of a real wood floor. While there might be similarities, you won't find identical repeating patterns.

Engineered Wood:

While the top veneer is real wood and will have variations, the overall look might be more consistent than solid hardwood due to the controlled manufacturing process.

Laminate/Vinyl:

Laminate and vinyl flooring often have repeating patterns every few planks. Look closely for identical knots or grain patterns that repeat across multiple boards.

Feel the Surface Texture: The Natural Grain

Real Wood: 

Real wood floor often has a natural texture that follows the grain. You might feel slight variations and imperfections. Some engineered wood floors also have textured surfaces to mimic real wood.

Laminate/Vinyl: 

Laminate surfaces are typically very smooth and uniform, lacking the natural texture of real wood. Some high-quality vinyl planks have embossed textures that mimic wood grain, but they often feel more uniform than genuine hardwood.

Listen to the Sound: The Solid Footing

Real Wood: 

Real wood floor, especially solid hardwood installed over a proper subfloor, tends to sound solid and substantial when you walk on it.

Laminate: 

Laminate floors can sometimes sound hollow or clicky when walked upon, especially if not installed with a good underlayment.

Vinyl: 

Vinyl floors tend to have a softer and quieter sound underfoot.

Check for Nicks and Scratches: The Nature of the Material

Real Wood: 

Real wood floors can scratch and dent, although the severity depends on the hardness of the wood species and the finish. These imperfections can sometimes reveal the solid wood underneath. Scratches on engineered wood will show the real wood veneer.

Laminate/Vinyl: 

Laminate is generally more scratch-resistant than real wood due to its protective wear layer. Scratches, if they occur, will often reveal the core material underneath the printed layer. High-quality vinyl is also quite durable and scratch-resistant.

Look for Beveled Edges: A Common Feature

Real Wood & Engineered Wood: 

Many real hardwood floors and engineered wood products have beveled edges, which create slight grooves between the planks.

Laminate/Vinyl: 

Laminate and vinyl can also have beveled edges to mimic the look of real wood. This feature alone isn't a definitive indicator.

Consider the Installation Method: Glued, Nailed, or Floating

Real Wood (Solid): 

Solid hardwood is typically nailed or glued down to a subfloor.

Engineered Wood: 

Can be nailed, glued, or floated (click-lock).

Laminate/Vinyl:

Primarily installed as floating (click-lock) or sometimes glued down. Nailing is not typical for laminate or vinyl.

The Smell Test (Less Reliable): The Scent of Real Wood

Real Wood: 

Freshly cut or sanded real hardwood flooring has a distinct natural wood scent.

Laminate/Vinyl:

These synthetic materials may have a slight plastic or chemical odor, especially when new. However, this is not a reliable long-term indicator.

 

Appreciating the Authenticity of Real Wood Floor with Murley's Floor Covering

Knowing how to tell if your hardwood floor is real allows you to appreciate the unique beauty, durability, and value of genuine hardwood. By examining the edges, pattern, texture, and sound, you can often discern the authenticity of your flooring. 

If you're seeking the timeless elegance and lasting quality of real wood floor for your Tri-Cities area home, Visit or call at Murley's Floor Covering in Kennewick, WA. Our expert team can guide you through our extensive selection of genuine hardwood options. We've been serving the Tri-Cities area with beautiful floors and top-notch services since 2005.