Solid hardwood and engineered hardwood are both real wood floors, but solid hardwood is best for plywood-subfloor houses while engineered hardwood is better for condos, concrete subfloors, and many modern Toronto renovations. At Top Floorings Depot in Toronto, engineered hardwood starts from $3.69/sqft and solid hardwood starts around $5.19/sqft contractor pricing, which makes the choice both a performance question and a budget question.
For homeowners in Toronto, Scarborough, Markham, North York, and Vaughan, the right hardwood category depends on subfloor type, property type, plank style, and installation conditions. Top Floorings Depot carries both Canadian-made solid hardwood and European Oak engineered hardwood, which makes it easier for GTA buyers to compare the two categories honestly instead of being pushed toward one answer for every project.
What is the difference between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood?
The difference between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood is construction. Solid hardwood is made from a single piece of wood, usually ¾ inch thick, while engineered hardwood uses a real hardwood top layer over a layered core designed for better dimensional stability.
At Top Floorings Depot, the solid hardwood lineup includes Canadian-made Appalachian, Lauzon, MKB, and Seasons products, most often in traditional 3¼ inch and 4¼ inch widths. The engineered hardwood lineup focuses heavily on European Oak in 6.5 inch and 7.5 inch planks at 18mm total thickness, which gives Toronto buyers a much more modern wide-plank look.
| Category | Construction | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Solid hardwood | Single wood piece | Houses, plywood |
| Engineered hardwood | Wood top plus core | Condos, concrete |
Which is better for Toronto homes, solid or engineered hardwood?
Engineered hardwood is better for Toronto condos and mixed-subfloor renovations, while solid hardwood is better for traditional houses with plywood subfloors. The better choice depends on the home, not on a blanket rule that one category is always superior.
Many Toronto buyers still assume solid hardwood is automatically the premium answer, but that is not always true in practice. For condo owners and many modern renovation projects, engineered hardwood is the correct premium category because it works with concrete, gives wider planks, and fits current design preferences more naturally.
At Top Floorings Depot, solid hardwood is strongest in traditional house renovations where a classic nail-down wood floor makes sense. Engineered hardwood is strongest in condos, main floors over concrete, and design-driven renovations where wide planks and installation flexibility matter more.
When should you choose solid hardwood?
You should choose solid hardwood when the home has plywood subfloors, the renovation is in a house rather than a condo, and the goal is a classic full-thickness nail-down wood floor. Solid hardwood is especially well suited to main floors and upper levels in detached and semi-detached homes across Toronto and the GTA.
At Top Floorings Depot, Appalachian Red Oak Excel Grade starts at about $5.19/sqft contractor pricing and around $5.39/sqft retail. Appalachian Red Oak Prestige Grade runs around $5.49/sqft contractor pricing and $5.69/sqft retail. These are ¾ inch thick tongue-and-groove solid wood boards made in Canada.
For homeowners renovating a house in Scarborough, Markham, or Vaughan who want a more traditional hardwood floor, solid hardwood can absolutely be the right choice. It simply needs the right subfloor and job conditions.
When should you choose engineered hardwood?
You should choose engineered hardwood when the floor is going over concrete, the project is in a condo, or the design calls for a wider more modern plank look. Engineered hardwood is also the better fit when installation conditions are mixed and the project needs more flexibility.
At Top Floorings Depot, European Oak engineered hardwood starts from $3.69/sqft for 6.5 inch planks and runs to $4.39/sqft for premium 7.5 inch planks with a 4mm wear layer. Products like European Oak Highland Silver 6.5 inch, European Oak Mocha 3mm, and European Oak Driftwood 4mm are good examples of why engineered hardwood is so strong in the Toronto market.
If the project is a condo in North York or downtown Toronto, engineered hardwood is usually the obvious real-wood choice. See our Toronto condo hardwood guide if you are evaluating that specific use case.
Which one costs more in Toronto?
Solid hardwood usually costs more than engineered hardwood in Toronto when you compare the regular in-stock product ranges. At Top Floorings Depot, engineered hardwood starts from $3.69/sqft while solid hardwood generally starts around $5.19/sqft contractor pricing.
That price difference means engineered hardwood often gives GTA buyers an easier entry point into real wood flooring. Solid hardwood still earns its price through full-wood construction, Canadian manufacturing, and long-standing appeal, but it is not always the most efficient choice for the property.
Installation also matters. At Top Floorings Depot, engineered hardwood installation starts from $2.00/sqft and solid hardwood installation also starts from $2.00/sqft. The bigger cost difference usually comes from the material category and the subfloor conditions rather than the starting labour rate alone.
Our Top Picks at Top Floorings Depot
Appalachian Natural Red Oak Excel Grade
Specs: 4¼ inch wide, ¾ inch thick, tongue-and-groove, random length, 18.9 sqft/box, made in Canada
Price: about $5.19/sqft contractor pricing, about $5.39/sqft retail
Why we recommend it: Best-value solid hardwood starting point for house projects that suit a traditional nail-down wood floor.
Appalachian Treebark Red Oak Prestige Grade
Specs: 4¼ inch wide, ¾ inch thick, tongue-and-groove, random length, 18.9 sqft/box, made in Canada
Price: $5.49/sqft contractor pricing, $5.69/sqft retail
Why we recommend it: A premium classic solid hardwood choice for traditional Toronto house renovations.
European Oak Highland Silver 6.5 inch
Specs: 165mm wide, 18mm total thickness, 2mm wear layer, wire-brushed character grade, about 20 sqft/box
Price: $3.69/sqft
Why we recommend it: Best-value engineered hardwood option for condo owners and mixed-subfloor projects.
European Oak Mocha 3mm
Specs: 190mm wide, 18mm total thickness, 3mm wear layer, 19.42 sqft/box
Price: $4.09/sqft
Why we recommend it: A strong mid-range engineered hardwood choice for homeowners who want richer colour and wider planks.
European Oak Driftwood 4mm
Specs: 190mm x 18mm with 4mm top layer, random lengths up to 1900mm, wire-brushed character grade
Price: $4.39/sqft
Why we recommend it: Best premium engineered hardwood option for Toronto condos and modern real-wood renovations.
Visit Top Floorings Depot
Top Floorings Depot
3781 Victoria Park Avenue, Unit 1, Toronto, ON M1W 3K5
www.topfloorings.com
Call 416-499-0117 | Text 416-770-8819
Showroom Hours: Monday–Friday 9–5:30 | Saturday 9–4 | Sunday Closed
We serve homeowners and contractors across Toronto, Scarborough, Markham, North York, and Vaughan. Visit our showroom to see and feel these products in person, or contact us for contractor pricing and bulk orders. GTA-wide delivery available.
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