When it comes to choosing new flooring for your home, engineered wood and laminate flooring are among some of the most popular choices. While they both share similarities, there are definitely some key differences to think about.
Although they might provide a similar look in the home, laminate flooring and engineered wood are definitely not the same.
To clear up any confusion, laminate flooring is made from several layers of compressed materials, then strengthened with resin and a printed image of wood is added. The surface is then covered by a clear wear layer to protect the image.
On the other hand, engineered wood flooring is made from several layers of wood with a layer of solid hardwood on top.
What are the pros and cons of engineered wood?
To help you decide which type of flooring is best suited to your style and requirements, we’ve put together a handy summary of the pros and cons of engineered hardwood to begin with.
The pros
Because engineered wood has a layer of real wood on top, it is practically indistinguishable from solid wood. This means the product is completely natural and has an authentic look and feel of natural wood.
Due to the way engineered wood is manufactured with different wood layers bonded together in a crosswise direction, it is far less likely to shrink and expand. This makes it a much stronger and more resistant choice compared to solid wood flooring.
Most engineered wood follows a glueless locking system to ensure installation is simple and quick. However, that being said, our Frank’s fitters are best for the job when it comes to installing any type of flooring and will always deliver the very best results.
The cons
The only slight downside of engineered hardwood is, because the top layer is real wood, this means it isn’t completely immune to damage caused by moisture,
Therefore, caring for engineered wood flooring requires regular cleaning and periodic maintenance. With a good care routine, it can have a life expectancy of 20-100 years depending on foot traffic, wear and tear, maintenance and the quality of the product.
What are the pros and cons of laminate flooring?
Now that you know more about engineered hardwood and what it can offer, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of laminate flooring!
The pros
The biggest advantage of laminate is the price. After all, you can achieve a realistic oak design for the fraction of the cost of the real thing!
What’s more, it is highly durable due to its extra-strong top layer, which makes it resistant to stains, scratches and scuffs caused by everyday foot traffic. Conveniently, this smooth layer is also easy to wipe clean of any spills or marks.
Laminate flooring has a fold and lock installation too, allowing for easy installation, which means that it can often be installed within a day.
The cons
If you were to put laminate and engineered hardwood side by side, you would probably notice that laminate looks less natural in comparison.
Laminate is also much thinner than engineered wood, meaning that once the top layer becomes damaged or worn, it can’t be sanded down and refinished like engineered wood can be.
Discover a wide range of high quality wood and wood effect flooring options at your local Frank’s. Pop down to your nearby store and we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect flooring to transform your home.