Laminate vs engineered hardwood which choice is best

November 7, 2024 7pm Nick Parisi

When choosing flooring for your home, two popular options often come up: laminate flooring and engineered hardwood. Both provide a beautiful, versatile appearance and offer certain benefits over traditional solid hardwood, but they’re suited to different needs and tastes. This blog will help you understand the key differences between the two, covering aspects like durability, cost, appearance, maintenance, and installation.

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What is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is a synthetic, layered product that mimics the appearance of natural wood, stone, or other materials. It’s created by bonding multiple layers, with a core layer of fiberboard and a photographic image layer topped with a durable, clear protective coating.

What is Engineered Hardwood?

Engineered hardwood is a real wood product made from layers of hardwood and plywood, with the top layer being a thin veneer of genuine wood. This construction offers the look and feel of solid hardwood but with added durability and moisture resistance.

Key Differences: Laminate vs. Engineered Hardwood

1. Appearance and Texture

Laminate Flooring: Laminate can imitate a variety of materials, including wood, stone, and tile. However, it often lacks the authentic texture of real wood, and while high-quality laminate can look close to the real thing, it doesn’t quite match the natural variation and warmth.

Engineered Hardwood: Since the top layer of engineered hardwood is real wood, it gives an authentic, natural look that’s virtually indistinguishable from solid hardwood. The texture and grain are genuine, giving it a luxurious feel that laminate can’t fully replicate.

2. Durability and Scratch Resistance

Laminate Flooring: Laminate is highly resistant to scratches and dents, thanks to its durable top layer. It’s an excellent choice for high-traffic areas or homes with pets and kids. However, it may chip if a heavy object is dropped on it, and once it’s damaged, repairs can be difficult, but not impossible.

Engineered Hardwood: While engineered hardwood is more durable than solid hardwood due to its layered construction, it’s still more susceptible to scratches and dents compared to laminate. However, scratches are usually superficial and a touch up stain pen can remove most. It can also be refinished, which extends its life.

3. Moisture Resistance

Laminate Flooring: Although laminate is more moisture-resistant than traditional hardwood, only some are waterproof. Prolonged exposure to water can cause the core layer to swell or warp. As such, it’s best suited for living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways but not ideal for bathrooms or kitchens.

Engineered Hardwood: Engineered hardwood has better moisture resistance than laminate due to its plywood core, making it suitable for areas with minor moisture exposure, like kitchens. However, it still isn’t completely waterproof.

4. Installation

Laminate Flooring: Laminate often features a click-and-lock installation method, which is straightforward and doesn’t require nails or glue and it can be installed over most existing floors.

Engineered Hardwood: Engineered hardwood can also be installed using the click-and-lock method, but it may require gluing or nailing, especially in high-traffic areas.

5. Maintenance and Care

Laminate Flooring: Laminate is easy to clean with regular sweeping and occasional damp mopping, but you need to avoid excessive moisture. Its scratch-resistant surface generally makes it low-maintenance.

Engineered Hardwood: Engineered hardwood requires a bit more care; regular sweeping is recommended, and using a wood floor cleaner is ideal. Since it has a real wood veneer, it’s susceptible to scratches, so it’s essential to use protective pads on furniture.

6. Cost

Laminate Flooring: Laminate is typically more affordable than engineered hardwood. Prices vary depending on the quality and brand, but laminate is generally a more budget-friendly choice if you want the look of wood without the cost.

Engineered Hardwood: Engineered hardwood is more expensive than laminate but is still often more affordable than solid hardwood. The cost depends on the wood species and thickness of the veneer layer, as well as the brand.

7. Lifespan and Resale Value

Laminate Flooring: Laminate typically has a lifespan of 10-15 years with proper care. It’s not the best choice if you’re considering long-term investment or resale value, as it doesn’t add much to a home’s value.

Engineered Hardwood: Engineered hardwood generally lasts 20-30 years and can be refinished, adding longevity. It also adds value to a home, as it’s a real wood product, making it a preferred choice for resale.

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Pros and Cons Summary

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Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between laminate and engineered hardwood depends on your priorities:

Choose Laminate if you’re on a budget, need a low-maintenance, scratch-resistant surface, and are okay with a synthetic look.

Choose Engineered Hardwood if you want the luxury of real wood, are willing to invest a bit more, and prefer a floor that adds value to your home.

Both options are excellent alternatives to solid hardwood, but with these points in mind, you’ll be ready to choose the one that best meets your needs.