Engineered Wood Flooring VS Laminate Flooring
At Wood4Floors, located in Forest Hill, London, we understand every customer has unique flooring needs. Often, when we recommend engineered wood flooring (https://www.wood4floors.co.uk/product-category/engineered-wood-flooring/), customers ask, “What is engineered flooring—is it like laminate flooring?” This blog clearly outlines the differences between laminate and engineered flooring, helping you choose the best option for your home.
Construction
Laminate flooring (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laminate_flooring) is a synthetic product featuring a fibreboard or plywood base and a photographic-printed plastic top layer designed to resemble real wood.
Engineered wood flooring (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineered_wood) consists of a genuine solid wood top layer securely bonded to a robust plywood base. Once installed, it closely resembles solid wood flooring.
Thickness
Laminate flooring typically ranges from 6mm to 12mm in thickness. Engineered flooring is generally thicker, commonly available in 14mm or 20mm options. At Wood4Floors, our premium engineered oak flooring features 20mm boards with a 6mm solid oak top layer and 14mm high-quality Siberian birch plywood.
Resistance to Moisture
The resistance of laminate flooring to moisture dramatically depends on its quality. Lower-quality laminate can swell in areas with fluctuating humidity.
Engineered wood flooring excels in moisture resistance due to its stable multi-layer construction. This makes it ideal for kitchens and conservatories, where solid wood flooring would typically be unsuitable.
Refinishing
Due to its printed plastic top layer, laminate flooring cannot be refinished. If damaged or stained, the affected section must be replaced.
Engineered wood flooring, however, can be refinished multiple times, either by spot repairing smaller areas or completely refinishing the entire floor, extending its lifespan significantly.
Installation
Laminate flooring installation is straightforward, typically featuring an easy-to-use click system.
Engineered flooring offers greater versatility in installation methods. It can be screwed or nailed to joists, glued directly to concrete subfloors, or laid as a floating floor, similar to traditional solid oak flooring.
Quality and Aesthetic
Laminate flooring primarily provides an affordable and visually appealing imitation of wood flooring, suitable for quick installations and budget-friendly projects.
Engineered wood flooring delivers an authentic natural finish with structural stability and longevity, suitable for almost any environment.
If you’d like to learn more or need expert advice on choosing between laminate and engineered wood flooring, please contact the Wood4Floors team at 020 8699 7527 or visit our showroom in Forest Hill, London.
