Comparing Engineered Hardwood vs Laminate Flooring - Blog (2024)

Are you in the process of renovating or replacing your flooring? Have you come to a crossroads in deciding between engineered hardwood or laminate flooring for your home? Making this decision is no easy task, as there are pros and cons associated with both materials. In this blog post, we will be comparing the twotypes of flooring, exploring factors such as cost-effectiveness, durability, and their overall usage before determining which one will best suit your preferences. By comparing different elements of each material’s properties, you can confidently make an informed choice that works best with your lifestyle.

Laminate flooring is a high density fiberboard (HDF) floor covering with a photographic layer that mimics wood. It is protected by a durable and transparentwear layer.

Rather than being directly placed on the floor, laminate flooring is supported by an intermediate foam or felt underlayment. This layer improves the joining of the boards and reduces footfall noise. Laminate flooring with pre-attached underlayment allows for direct installation on the subfloor.

Engineered hardwood flooring is composed of a stable plywood core topped with a thin veneer of hardwood.

This type of flooring is designed to be installed on top of a subfloor. Like solid hardwood, engineered hardwood comes in panels that interlock using tongue and groove joinery. It can be installed to the subfloor with either nailing or gluing.

Laminate

Although laminate flooring has made advancements in replicating the look of wood and other materials, it cannot perfectly duplicate the characteristics ofreal wood. However, high-quality laminates now feature enhanced embossing of wood grain patterns creating a more realistic flooring experience. Additionally, the introduction of thicker, premium 12 mm laminates has attracted many consumers, including those seeking a sophisticatedflooring optionfor higher-end residences.

Engineered Wood

Engineered hardwood flooring has a distinct advantage over laminate flooring as its surface is made of real wood. This gives it a more appealing, homey, and luxurious appearance.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is the easier of the two flooring types to maintain due to its plastic surface layer which can be easily wiped clean. However, it is important to note that laminate flooring cannot be refinished. In cases of severe damage, the affected laminate planks need to be removed and replaced.

Engineered Wood

Engineered hardwood flooring offers the advantage of being able to be sanded and refinished at least once. If theveneer layeris exceptionally thick, it may even be possible to refinish it two or three times. This makes engineered hardwood a more flexible and durable option for long-term maintenance and restoration.

Laminate

Despite being marketed aswater-resistant, laminate flooring can be vulnerable to water damage due to the fiberboard core and gaps between boards. Though the plastic surface layer does resist water damage as long as any moisture is promptly removed.

Engineered Wood

Engineered hardwood flooring is typically treated with a strong and waterproof surface sealant. However, it’s important to note that both the surface veneer and plywood foundation layers are made of wood and can potentially swell and distort when exposed to moisture.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring stands out in terms of affordability, making it one of the most cost-effective flooring options available. It can be purchased at home improvement stores for around $1 to $3 per square foot, although more intricate designs can range from $10 to $12 per square foot.

Engineered Wood

Engineered hardwood flooring typically starts at around $4 per square foot at the lower end, with the average price hovering around $8 per square foot. Additionally, with engineered hardwood floors, there may be an additional expense for professional installation, which can exceed $25 per square foot. In contrast, laminates are so easy to install that professional assistance is rarely necessary.

Laminate

Laminate flooring generally has a lifespan of 10 to 20 years depending on the initial quality of the material and the level of wear it experiences.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood is more durable and can last up to 30 years or more in certain cases.

Laminate

Laminate flooring planks typically range from 3 to 7 inches in width and 48 inches in length.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood boards can come in a variety of widths and lengths, with the narrowest being 2 1/4 inches and the widest being 7 inches; lengths are usually between 36 and 48 inches. Some engineered wood flooring designs feature varying board widths for added visual appeal.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is highly favored by DIY enthusiasts due to its easy installation process. The planks feature a convenient “click-lock” edge treatment allowing them to interlock and “float” over a foam underlayment layer placed on the subfloor. Most people caninstall laminateflooring in a room in just one afternoon.

Engineered Wood

While engineered hardwood floors are generallyeasier to installthansolid hardwood floors, professional installation is still recommended. They are typically installed using a method similar to that of solid hardwood, where the boards are blind-nailed to the subfloor using finish nails or staples driven at an angle through the tongues. Alternative installation methods for engineered wood floorboards are available, such as floating them or gluing them down when installing over a concrete subfloor.