Wood flooring is the foundation of any room. It can help you create clean space and establish the look of your dreams. Laminate flooring and Engineered wood are the two widely used flooring options. But because of their numerous similarities, choosing between laminate flooring and engineered wood can become confusing for most people.
Other than being a versatile alternative to Solid Hardwood Flooring, laminate and engineered wood flooring have their own merits and drawbacks. This is something you must weigh in order to make the right flooring decision for your home.
In this article, you will get to know few important things to consider while choosing between laminate flooring and engineered wood. Read on to find out more!
Laminate Flooring vs Engineered Wood:
What is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate is a synthetic type of flooring which feels and looks like a solid hardwood but cost less. It has a top layer of realistic image that covers the densely packed wood fibres, creating a stable core. Some top brands print high quality wood image and often pair it with an authentic feeling bevels and grains to produce a hyper realistic wood effect.
What is Engineered Wood Flooring?
Engineered wood flooring has a top layer of real solid wood. The rest of the layers comprises of various ply bonded together. Such composition adds to the durability of the flooring as well as makes it more resistant to moisture, humidity or arid conditions.
Key Differences between Laminate Flooring and Engineered Wood:
1. Composition:
Laminate flooring is made of thin and pressured wood board which resembles a natural looking wood on top. The wood looking image is usually covered with a clear protective layer and below that it has a separate underlayment. On the other hand, engineered wood flooring is typically made of a superior quality plywood with a pre finished hardwood veneer on top.
2. Thickness:
When we speak about the thickness of laminate flooring, it usually ranges from 6mm to 12mm. While engineered wood, on an average, has a thick top layer of 3mm to 4mm and the rest layers combined with top layer can be approximately 14mm.
3. Repair and Refinishing:
If engineered wood flooring gets damaged, it can be refinished few times before it wears down to the base plywood layer. However, in tradition wood repair sense, laminate floors cannot be refinished if they get damaged or worn out. All you can do is replace the plank with a new one.
4. Installation:
Both of the floorings are great options for do-it-yourself installation. They are incredibly versatile and can be installed anywhere in the house. But when compared to one another, hardwood floorings are little hard to install and you will need to buy a flooring with a good lock system. It is also seen in some places, professionals charge more to install engineered wood than laminate flooring.
5. Durability:
When we choose from different flooring options, we have to consider durability of each type of floors. Laminate flooring are not prone to scratches, nicks and scuff. If maintained well it can last up to 20yrs. Where are engineered wood are prone to scratches, nicks and scuff but since it can be refinished over and over again. It can last well over 20yrs and some have seen it go up to 75yrs. The way you take care of your flooring and where you install them can determine its durability.
6. Water Resistance:
Laminate flooring and Engineered wood offer better water resistance and moisture resistance when compared to Solid hardwood flooring. You can install them anywhere in your home including kitchen, basements and other rooms which solid hardwood flooring can’t handle. However, both floorings are not completely waterproof and in case you spill any liquid, be sure to clean it immediately. In case you are looking for 100% waterproof flooring, then Rigid Core Waterproof Planks will be the right choice.
Now that you have gone through all the ins and outs of both laminate and engineered wood. It comes down to your preference and budget. In case you are still wondering about making a choice, feel free to contact us, the flooring experts at Wood4Floors will be happy to help you!
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