What Is Better Engineered Hardwood Or Laminate

This is because the top layer is actual real hardwood.

What is better engineered hardwood or laminate.

Although laminate may win the laminate vs. Which one will you go with. The biggest advantage that engineered hardwood flooring holds over laminate flooring is that its surface is real hardwood. It is milled with tongues and grooves on opposite edges so that the boards interlock when installed.

It will always look better than laminate especially close up. Laminate is also much thinner than engineered wood averaging around 12mm whereas engineered wood tends to be thicker like hardwoods. Since engineered hardwoods have a real hardwood veneer they are more susceptible to surface scratches dents and expansion. Engineered wood contains a slice of natural wood on top while laminate uses a photographic layer that is coated with a protective layer.

Both are strong durable floors that are less expensive than natural wood but laminate flooring typically costs less. Margot cavin the spruce best for appearance. Engineered wood flooring. However most of these floors with come with a protective top layer to help protect against wear.

You can obtain beautiful exotic wood species at a much lower price when compared to solid hardwood because engineered wood only uses a thin veneer layer. It is always nailed down to the subfloor a process that requires some skill. Engineered hardwood also provides a better value point if you should decide to sell your house. Solid wood flooring comes in long planks usually made of a hardwood species.

Both resemble true hardwood but each comes with its own benefits and disadvantages. Both materials mimic a natural wood floor beautifully but if you re all about natural beauty you might prefer the solid wood top of an engineered. Laminate floors on the other hand are the result of bonding various composite materials and melamine resin at high temperatures and pressure so the floor itself is far from being organic. The primary advantage engineered wood has over laminate is that it is a much more convincing replica of real hardwood flooring.

If you re seeking an alternative to hardwood but laminate doesn t sound like the material for you consider engineered wood or luxury vinyl. Solid wood flooring vs. Engineered hardwood toughness challenge engineered hardwood can be refinished two or three times over its lifespan. While solid hardwood floors are ideal for the diehard wood lovers engineered hardwood is a greener option and laminate is a cheaper one.

Engineered hardwood flooring runs 3 to 10 per square foot. Laminate flooring really depends. If you are having trouble deciding be sure to read our laminate flooring project guide or any of our flooring cost estimators.