What Is The Difference Between Engineered Wood And Laminate flooring

What is Engineered Wood Flooring?

Engineered wood flooring has grown in popularity due to its many benefits. This type of flooring uses multiple layers of wood veneers pressed and bonded together under heat and pressure.

The top base layer is a solid wood veneer specially selected for its attractive grain patterns, colouring and textures. This top layer is usually around 3–7 mm thick.

Underneath are several thinner layers of high-quality plywood stacked in alternating directions. There are typically 5–9 plywood layers in total.

The cross-layered plywood design provides engineered floors with enhanced dimensional stability. The layers resist swelling and shrinkage from moisture changes. This prevents issues like cupping, crowing, buckling, and gapping.

On the bottom is a veneer backing layer that balances out excess moisture. The whole multilayered structure is then pressed into planks and coated with a protective finish.

Overall, engineered floors provide the beauty and warmth of real hardwood floor but with much greater durability. The layered construction makes engineered wood an ideal flooring choice for busy homes.

Benefits of Engineered Wood Floors

There are many excellent benefits to choosing engineered over solid wood floors:

• Stability - The pressed plywood layers minimize expansion and contraction from humidity changes. This prevents warped, gapped, or cupped planks.
• Durability - Engineered wood is better for everyday wear-and-tear, kids, pets, and foot traffic. The layers make it stronger than solid wood flooring.
• Moisture Resistance - Multilayered construction makes engineered wood more resistant to moisture damage from spills or cleaning. Improves solid wood's vulnerability to water damage.
• Installation Options - Can be nailed, stapled, or glued over wood subfloors. Many types can be floated over concrete, existing floors, or radiant heat systems.
• Sand and Refinish - Engineered wood can be repeatedly refinished and lightly sanded to regain its appearance and safeguard the wood veneer.
• Wide Long Planks - Available in longer, wider planks up to 7 feet long and 8 inches wide. Creates bold, dramatic looks.
• Lower Cost - More affordable than solid hardwood flooring, providing similar visual appeal.
• Eco-friendly: uses fewer premium hardwoods thanks to a thin veneer. Responsible use of timber resources.
• Matches Decor - Available in unlimited wood species, colours, plank sizes, and finishes to coordinate with any home's style.
  
  

Where to Install Engineered Wood Floors

Engineered wood floors can be used in most rooms with some moisture limitations. They can be used in:

• Living Rooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Hallways
• Stairs
• Offices
• Basements

Use caution in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other damp areas. Look for engineered floors rated for extra moisture resistance. Make sure to acclimate and install the expansion space properly.

While engineered wood cannot withstand standing water, it handles normal household moisture better than solid wood. Care and proper maintenance are still required for the best results.

What is Laminate Flooring?

In recent decades, laminate flooring has become hugely popular as an affordable alternative to natural wood flooring. Laminate replicates the look of wood using synthetic natural materials fused under high heat and pressure.

The core layer is typically high-density fiberboard (HDF) in laminate flooring. This provides density, rigidity, and structure.

Printed decor papers featuring wood grain patterns, colours and textures are pressed over the HDF core using melamine resins. This creates a visible top layer that mimics the appearance of real wood flooring.

A transparent melamine wear layer is added on top for protection and durability. This plastic resin prevents scratches, stains, and wear over time.

Attached to the bottom is a foam underlayment layer. This adds warmth, comfort, and sound insulation.

The tongue-and-groove plank edges allow for easy connection and floating installation. Overall, laminate flooring provides a simulated wood look with excellent affordability.

Benefits of Laminate Flooring

Here are some of the biggest advantages of laminate flooring:

• Affordability - Laminate floors cost 50–70% less than real wooden floors. This makes it the most budget-friendly flooring.
• Easy Installation - Laminate uses a floating floor method with tongue-and-groove planks that click together, even for DIYers.
• Durability - The protective resin wear layer resists surface scratches, scuffs, and indentations better than real wood.
• Stability - Laminate is unaffected by humidity and resists swelling, warping, and gapping.
• Water Resistance - The resin coat and fusion layers create a highly water-resistant product. Laminate stands up to mopping, spills, and leaks better than wood.
• Design Options - Available in unlimited wood colours and styles. From light to dark stains, whitewashes to grey washes, and more.
• Low maintenance: very easy to clean by sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming. The surface resists staining, abrasions, and dirt buildup.
• Long Warranties - Many brands offer 15–25-year warranties against wear, fading, and defects. Provides peace of mind.
• DIY Friendly - Easy enough for homeowners to install properly by following instructions.
• Sustainable: It Contains zero actual wood, so it conserves forests and timber resources.
  
  

Where to Install Laminate Floors

Some of the best places to install laminate flooring include:

• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Laundry Rooms
• Basements
• Mudrooms
• Entryways
  
  

Laminate is also suitable for living rooms, bedrooms, offices, and other dry areas. It can also be installed over existing tile, vinyl, or concrete floors.

Just use caution when installing Laminate in extremely damp basements prone to flooding. Make sure to include a vapour barrier underlayment. Follow all manufacturer instructions carefully for ease of installation and care.

Key Differences between Engineered Wood and Laminate Floors

Now that we've covered the basics of both flooring types let's compare some of the main differences between engineered wood and laminate floors:

Real Wood Veneer vs. Simulated Photographic Layer

The biggest difference is that engineered floors contain real natural wood floors, while Laminate contains no natural wood. The top-engineered wood veneer provides all solid hardwood floors' warmth, richness, and beauty.

Laminate flooring instead uses a printed paper photograph sealed below plastic resin. The image quality has improved but still does not completely capture real wooden flooring grain's depth and natural variations.

Thickness of Wear Layer

Standard engineered wood has a top veneer layer of real wood approximately 3–7 mm thick. This accounts for its durability and ability to sand and refinish.

Laminate floors have a much thinner plastic resin wear layer, typically only 0.3–0.8 mm thick. Over time, this thinner layer is more prone to wear, streaking, or punctures.

Core Layer Construction

Under the top layer, engineered wood floors use multilayered plywood cores, while Laminate uses high-density fiberboard (HDF). Both provide rigidity, but plywood offers higher strength.

Reaction to Moisture and Water

Engineered hardwood floors handle moderate moisture better than solid wood but are not waterproof. Prolonged, excessive resistance to moisture can still damage engineered floors over time. Laminate floors are highly water-resistant and better suited for damp areas. However, Laminate can still be damaged by major flooding or standing water.

Refinishing Ability

The real wood floor veneer of engineered flooring allows it to be sanded down and refinished multiple times. This restores the wood's like-new appearance and protects it. Laminate floors cannot be refinished once the resin wear layer is damaged.

Installation Methods

Engineered wood can be nailed, stapled, glued, or floated onto subfloors. Laminate usually requires floating installation due to its construction.

Accessory Compatibility

Engineered wood uses standard natural hardwood flooring accessories like transitions and trim mouldings. Laminate requires specialized laminate accessories.

Price Difference

Engineered wood is typically 30–50% more expensive in materials than laminate flooring. But it adds more value, longevity, and investment return.

Customization Options

Engineered wood comes in more wood species varieties. Laminate offers greater diversity in colours, textures, finishes, and plank sizes.

Engineered Wood Flooring: Pros and Cons

Pros of Engineered Wood

• Provides real hardwood beauty and warmth
• Very durable and scratch-resistant
• Handles moisture better than solid wood
• It can be sanded and refinished when worn
• Resists warping, gapping and buckling
• Easier installation than solid wood
• Lower cost than solid hardwood
  
  

Cons of Engineered Wood

• Higher cost than laminate flooring
• Not as waterproof as Laminate
• Still susceptible to moisture damage if over-exposed
• Refinishing limits over time
• Makes noises and creaks more than Laminate
• Laminate Flooring: Pros and Cons
  
  

Pros of Laminate Flooring

• Extremely affordable, budget-friendly option
• Very easy "click-lock" floating installation
• Highly durable, scratch- and scuff-resistant wear layer
• Excellent resistance to water spills and leaks
• Huge selection of colours, styles and textures
• Long product warranties from most brands
  
  

Cons of Laminate Flooring

• Does not mimic real wood perfectly
• The wear layer can get cut, dented or punctured over time
• Cannot be refinished or repaired once damaged
• Looks synthetic closely
• Joints between planks are more apparent
• Produces a hollow plastic sound when walking on it
  
  

Check out the engineered wood and laminate collections at Easystep Flooring UK today for beautiful and affordable new floors!

In summary, engineered wood provides much of the beauty and refinement of real hardwood flooring combined with increased structural stability and moisture resistance. Laminate is an extremely low-cost option when the authenticity of materials is not as important. Consider your needs and room use to decide which flooring solution fits your home best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the main differences between engineered wood and laminate flooring?

A. The major differences are that engineered wood has a top layer of real wood veneer, while Laminate has no real wood. Engineered wood can be refinished, but Laminate cannot. Laminate is more affordable and water-resistant.

Q. Is engineered wood or laminate more durable?

A. Engineered wood is generally more durable floors and scratch-resistant thanks to its thicker wood veneer layer. But Laminate stands up very well to heavy use, too.

Q. Can you install engineered wood or laminate in bathrooms or basements?

A. Laminate is a better choice for damp bathrooms and basements because of its water resistance. Use extra caution when installing engineered wood in wet areas.

Q. What's easier to install, engineered wood or Laminate?

A. Both engineered and laminate floors allow DIY-friendly floating click-lock installation. Laminate planks click together a bit tighter and easier overall.

Q. Which types of flooring look more realistic, engineered wood or Laminate?

A. Engineered wood flooring material from natural exotic or domestic wood species has a more realistic, authentic look. Printed Laminate cannot fully recreate the depth and variation of real wood grain.

Q. How long do engineered wood and laminate flooring last?

A. Engineered wood floors can last 30 to 80 years with proper care and upkeep, whereas laminate floors typically last 15 to 25 years. Higher quality flooring products installed correctly will have greater longevity.