Is Laminate Or Engineered Wood More Durable

All flooring options are susceptible to signs of wear and tear over the years such as fine scratches or dents left from heeled shoes or heavy furniture.

Is laminate or engineered wood more durable. It won t add value but it will look great and last a long time. On average the installation cost of laminate floors is 50 less than solid hardwood. One major difference is the subfloor requirements. While engineered wood or laminate can capture it s essence pretty well nothing can really replicate the alluring beauty of a real piece of solid wood furniture.

Engineered wood with a lifespan of 30 years or more and the ability to be sanded down and refinished engineered wood flooring holds a decided advantage over laminate flooring when it comes to lifespan. Laminate flooring is great for a durable floor that looks almost exactly like hardwood. This is the only option of installation for a laminate floor however an engineered hardwood floor can also be installed with a glue down or nail staple option. Solid hardwood flooring is a highly attractive premium building material that has undeniable prestige.

Some people get laminate and engineered wood mixed up or think it is the same. Undoubtedly the biggest advantage of laminate flooring is the price. Even though all hardwoods are pretty durable since laminate is pressed wood it s even more durable and resistant to scratches and dents. It is also more likely to stand up to damage than hardwood will even if it is a bit more difficult to fix.

Homeadvisor s flooring guide explains the differences between laminate and engineered hardwood and reviews the pros and cons of each. A piece of wood veneer is more likely to capture the essence of real wood a bit more than laminate can because it s topped with a thin sheet of real wood whereas laminate is not. Both laminate flooring and engineered hardwood floors can be floated with a diy click and lock installation. Engineered wood is more durable than solid wood but not as much as laminate.

Both laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are usually less expensive than natural hardwood engineered wood and many types of ceramic or porcelain tile. Engineered wood flooring is more durable with a lifespan that can easily run 30 years or sometimes much longer. Laminate flooring and luxury vinyl flooring are roughly comparable in price although sheet vinyl does hold a slight edge. Even cheaper species of real hardwood red or white oak are usually more attractive than laminate s artificial premium species.