Engineered Wood Flooring Compared To Laminate

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.

Engineered wood flooring compared to laminate.

Engineered wood contains a slice of natural wood on top while laminate uses a photographic layer that is coated with a protective layer. Undoubtedly the biggest advantage of laminate flooring is the price. Engineered wood flooring. Then a transparent wear layer is applied to protect the surface.

Laminate is also much thinner than engineered wood averaging around 12mm whereas engineered wood tends to be thicker like hardwoods. Engineered wood floors bond a thin layer or real hardwood over multiple layers of high quality plywood fiberboard or unfinished hardwood. Laminate flooring is a fully man made material that consists of several layers. Upwards of 2 20 per square foot for engineered hardwood compared to upwards of 3 40 per square foot for solid.

This process almost duplicated the actual feel and stability offered by real solid hardwood flooring. Laminate flooring and luxury vinyl flooring are roughly comparable in price although sheet vinyl does hold a slight edge. 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.

On average the installation cost of laminate floors is 50 less than solid hardwood. Solid and engineered wood flooring undoubtedly add great value and structure to the home and come in various species styles and stain. The base is fiberboard with a photographic image layer bonded over the top. But on the other hand vinyl offers quite a good number of advantageous features that the natural hardwood and even engineered wood cannot offer.

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. Generally engineered wood is a more convincing but more costly option compared to laminate. Both laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are usually less expensive than natural hardwood engineered wood and many types of ceramic or porcelain tile. Even though all hardwoods are pretty durable since laminate is pressed wood it s even more durable and resistant to scratches and dents.

Laminate is also a lot thinner than engineered wood. Laminate can look like fake when compared to engineered wood which is usually indistinguishable from solid hardwood.