Engineered Wood Flooring Compared To Laminate

Laminate flooring is a fully man made material that consists of several layers.

Engineered wood flooring compared to laminate.

If you ve already started reviewing your options in the hardwood flooring market then you ll be well aware that engineered hardwood flooring is an increasingly popular product. Better still it s competitively priced compared to solid hardwood flooring. Upwards of 2 20 per square foot for engineered hardwood compared to upwards of 3 40 per square foot for solid. Laminate is also much thinner than engineered wood averaging around 12mm whereas engineered wood tends to be thicker like hardwoods.

The base is fiberboard with a photographic image layer bonded over the top. Laminate flooring and engineered hardwood floors are very similar and often get confused but there are some key differences to take into consideration when comparing the two floors. Undoubtedly the biggest advantage of laminate flooring is the price. Laminate is also a lot thinner than engineered wood.

Generally engineered wood is a more convincing but more costly option compared to laminate. Engineered wood floors bond a thin layer or real hardwood over multiple layers of high quality plywood fiberboard or unfinished hardwood. The main difference between the two floors is that engineered hardwood floors have an actual hardwood surface but structurally they are very similar to a laminate. Engineered wood flooring.

On average the installation cost of laminate floors is 50 less than solid hardwood. Then a transparent wear layer is applied to protect the surface. Solid and engineered wood flooring undoubtedly add great value and structure to the home and come in various species styles and stain. Even though all hardwoods are pretty durable since laminate is pressed wood it s even more durable and resistant to scratches and dents.

Engineered wood contains a slice of natural wood on top while laminate uses a photographic layer that is coated with a protective layer. This process almost duplicated the actual feel and stability offered by real solid hardwood flooring. Laminate can look like fake when compared to engineered wood which is usually indistinguishable from solid hardwood. Still laminate looks and feels like real hardwood and holds strong as a popular wood look floor thanks to its low maintenance cleaning routine and a durable scratch.

And once the top layer of the laminate is damaged or worn it can t be sanded down and refinished like engineered and solid wood flooring. Both laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are usually less expensive than natural hardwood engineered wood and many types of ceramic or porcelain tile.