When you are looking for floors that look like natural wood, you have many options. Two popular choices are laminate and engineered hardwood.
Both are similar in some ways, but they also have contrasting characteristics. The choice comes down to your needs, preferences, and lifestyle. In this article, we will discuss the main aspects that can help you make the best decision for your home.
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Cost
Hardwood floors have a beautiful look that enhances the resale value of your home. However, they’re not an option for every budget. Luckily, there are other flooring options available that look like hardwood but are much more affordable. These options include laminate and engineered wood floors. The key difference is that engineered wood can be sanded and refinished multiple times, which can extend its lifespan. In addition, it is more resistant to water damage than laminate, which can easily be damaged by moisture.
Engineered wood typically costs more than laminate but is still less expensive than real hardwood. The cost varies depending on the thickness of the veneer and core layers. Basic engineered wood costs around $3 to $25 per square foot, while higher-quality products cost more. For example, higher-quality engineered wood may feature a 1/16- to 1/12-inch veneer over five core layers.
Despite being more affordable than solid wood, engineered hardwood is still a high-end flooring option that can add to your home’s resale value. It also holds up well in high-traffic areas and moisture-prone spaces. Unlike solid wood, which can warp in wet conditions or shrink when exposed to cold temperatures, engineered wood is stable in all environments.
Laminate, on the other hand, can be warped or swell in wet conditions and can expand when exposed to heat. It is also less durable than engineered wood and may require more frequent replacement.
Choosing between laminate and engineered wood is a personal choice that depends on your needs, location, and lifestyle. Both are great flooring options that can last for decades when properly cared for. However, if you’re looking for a durable floor that looks great in all rooms and can be refinished multiple times, choose engineered wood. If you’re on a tight budget, choose laminate. Both flooring options are durable and stylish, but the right one for you will depend on your needs.
Durability
When it comes to choosing the right flooring for your home, durability is a crucial consideration. Your floors are walked on, trampled, and subjected to countless spills, drops, dirt, and other elements every day. They also have to withstand the impact of furniture and heavy objects. In addition, they need to withstand shifting temperatures. This is why it is important to consider the overall lifespan of your floor coverings and the specific materials and finishes you choose.
The two most durable options for your floors are solid hardwood and engineered wood. Solid hardwood is made of a single plank of real wood. It is available in a wide variety of species and styles, so you can choose the look that suits your taste and budget. Engineered wood, on the other hand, has a layer of real hardwood that is fixed to a multi-layered core of more stable plywood layers. This makes it resistant to changes in temperature and humidity, which can cause traditional hardwoods to warp and rot.
In addition to its superior durability, engineered hardwood can be sanded and refinished to give it a new appearance. This will extend the life of your floors and maintain or even increase their resale value. Solid and engineered wood can last 20 years or more and stand up to the wear and tear of kids, pets, and heavy furniture better than laminate.
Laminate, on the other hand, is a man-made synthetic product. It is not a good choice for humid areas, as moisture can warp the bottom and sides of the floors. This can be expensive to repair and can ruin the floor’s appearance. Additionally, spills and other liquids can damage the top surface of laminate, which cannot be sanded down or refinished like solid or engineered wood.
Both types of flooring have their pros and cons, but it is important to evaluate each option based on your budget, lifestyle, design preferences, and long-term goals for your home. By understanding the differences between these flooring options, you can make a decision that will best fit your needs and enhance your living spaces.
Appearance
The floor in any room sets the tone for the rest of the space. It influences color schemes, lighting, warmth, and atmosphere, so choosing the right flooring is crucial for creating a home that meets your style and design needs. If you are looking to freshen up your floors, it might come down to a choice between laminate and engineered hardwood.
What makes engineered wood different than other laminates is that it actually has real wood in it. The top layer of the board is a thin veneer of solid wood, available in pretty much any species your heart desires. It’s not layered with other materials like plywood or HDF (high-density fiberboard). Most of the time, people assume that solid hardwood and engineered wood are made from the same thing. However, it’s not true. Solid hardwood is a single piece of natural wood cut into planks, while engineered hardwood consists of two layers joined together.
Both types of flooring have a long lifespan and are resistant to moisture. However, engineered wood is more susceptible to scratching and can be damaged by heat from the sun or harsh cleaners. It’s best to use furniture pads and area rugs on these floors to protect them from scratches.
Laminate floors are also resistant to damage from moisture, but they can be prone to bubbling or warping. The quality of your laminate flooring will also play a role in its resale value, and higher-quality laminate floors are more valuable than lower-quality ones.
Engineered wood is more appealing to potential buyers than laminate because it can add a lot of value to your home. It looks and feels more authentic and handles changing temperatures better than laminate. On the other hand, laminate can be less attractive to homebuyers because it’s not as realistic and durable as natural wood.
While laminate flooring manufacturers have improved their products over the years, they still have a tough time matching the durability and authenticity of natural wood. If you want the look of real wood without spending a fortune, you can always go with engineered wood instead. It’s an excellent option for those who are looking to upgrade their homes with beautiful floors that will last a long time.
Maintenance
Laminates and engineered woods act as beautiful, durable floors for rooms and are both easy to care for. Both can resist stains, scratches, and moisture damage. Neither can be refinished like solid hardwood floors. Engineered wood is a middle ground between laminate and solid wood and comes in many different species of wood. These floors are less prone to scuffing, scratching, and denting than laminate and can be refinished after several years of use. Both floor types require regular sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping. If you want to protect your floor from damage, you can apply a protective wax coating. Laminates are resistant to most household chemicals, including acetone and red wine. You should always follow hardwood floor care guides to ensure that your new floors remain stain-free.
Both laminates and engineered wood have higher water resistance than solid hardwood floors. The plywood or fiberboard core of each product, along with the finish and wear layer, work together to repel moisture and prevent the boards from warping or shrinking in damp rooms. This makes them ideal for basement locations that solid hardwood cannot tolerate.
Although both options are a good choice for homeowners, it is important to understand the difference between them before making your decision. Laminate is made from man-made, synthetic materials, while engineered wood has a solid wood veneer that serves as the top layer. Laminate is more eco-friendly than engineered wood because it is made from bits of scrap wood, sawdust, and real wood. However, the wood used in engineered flooring is also harvested from trees.
Both engineered wood and laminate can be refinished in the future to restore their beauty. Refinishing is an expensive process, but it can revitalize a tired floor and add value to your home. The best way to maintain the longevity of your flooring is to sweep and vacuum regularly, clean up spills as soon as they occur, and monitor humidity levels in the room. While the top layers of both flooring products are a mixture of composites and melamine resin, high-quality European and North American manufacturers adhere to strict industry standards that do not produce harmful VOC emissions.