Selecting the right flooring for your home is a big decision that involves a consideration of various factors, like aesthetics, durability, and budget. If you’re looking for the warm look of wooden flooring, you are likely weighing the pros and cons of using solid wood, engineered hardwood and laminate wooden flooring.
While solid wood is a great natural material to use in buildings, it does require more maintenance and care than other flooring alternatives:
With changes in temperature and moisture, solid wood is prone to expansion and contraction, leaving your flooring vulnerable to undulations caused by warped planks, and creaking.
It needs regular oiling and treatment to keep the wood supple and safeguard it from pests like termites.
And it is of course much more expensive than other flooring options.
So even when budget is not a constraint, we generally recommend using engineered hardwood or laminate flooring in the spaces we design (especially if you are doing up a commercial or semi-public space like a restaurant, hotel/ Airbnb, or office.)
Making the choice between the two wood composites should also be a considered choice. Here are four points you should consider when making this decision:
1. Composition and Material Make-up:
Composition of laminate wooden flooring
Image Source: Tarkett (2024) "What is laminate flooring and how is it made?". Tarkett: https://home.tarkett.com/en_EU/node/everything-you-need-know-about-laminate-floors-8778.
Laminate Flooring
Composed of multiple layers, including an 7-10mm plywood or high-density fibreboard (HDF) core, a 1-2mm photographic layer that mimics wood grain, and a clear protective top layer.
Stability-wise, the core provides a strong base, while the top layer is designed to resist scratches, stains, and fading.
Composition of engineered hardwood flooring with a plywood core
Image Source: LL Flooring (2022) "Buying Guide: Shop for Engineered Hardwood". LLFlooring: https://www.llflooring.com/b/education/buying-guides/buying-guide-shop-engineered-hardwood.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Constructed with a 3-4mm real wood veneer or lamella of your choice on top of a 7-10mm core of plywood, high-density fibreboard, and sometimes even a strong wood like pine wood.
The real wood lamella gives engineered hardwood a very authentic appearance, which at premium qualities is almost indistinguishable from solid wood. And the layered construction minimizes the risk of warping or expansion due to changes in humidity.
The bottom line: Materially, both options are equally stable and simple to maintain. These consideration here should really be the price – depending on the products being compared, laminate wooden flooring is about 1/3rd to ½ the cost of engineered hardwood flooring.
2. Appearance and Authenticity:
Laminate Flooring
Often convincingly replicates the look of various wood species, including oak, maple, and walnut.
The photographic layer provides a high level of detail, but some may find the texture less authentic compared to real wood.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Boasts the genuine look and feel of solid hardwood since the top layer is made of real wood.
Available in a wide range of wood species, finishes, and stains, allowing for a more authentic customization.
The bottom line: Aesthetically, engineered hardwood is a better choice as it gives you the best of both worlds – the look and feel of real wood, without the hassle of maintenance.
3. Durability and Maintenance:
Laminate Flooring
Highly resistant to scratches, dents, and stains due to its protective top layer.
Prone to moisture damage, so it is not recommended for areas with high humidity or potential water exposure (like washrooms, powder rooms, kitchens, etc.)
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
More susceptible to scratches and dents compared to laminate, but it can be sanded and refinished (a limited number of times) to refresh its appearance.
Resistant to warping and expansion, making it suitable for areas with fluctuating humidity levels.
The bottom line: Both options are suitable for different needs. If you’re looking to use it in a space that you know you will keep refreshing in a 5-7 year timeline, good quality laminate flooring is equally as good as engineered hardwood (With laminate wooden flooring, brands usually offer a 2-5 year warranty for commercial use, and 15-30 year warranty for residential use). In fact in places where there is a high daily traffic load (like a restaurant or an office), where faster wear and tear is more likely, it may actually come out on top. In homes or more private spaces where you want a good quality material that you don’t intend to change quickly, engineered hardwood would be a good choice, even giving you the flexibility to extend it into a dry kitchen or a powder room you know you can maintain well.
PS – well maintained engineered hardwood flooring can last you a lifetime. Some companies even give you warranties to this extent. But of course, neither laminate nor engineered hardwood flooring are resistant to termites.
4. Installation:
Laminate Flooring:
Often features a click-lock or tongue-and-groove (or dry type) installation system, making its installation quick and practically dustless.
Engineered hardwood Flooring:
Can be installed using various methods, including glue-down, nail-down, or click-lock installation. So if it isn’t a click and lock system, it might be moderately messy during installation, and could need some dry-time to set.
PS – Both options need to be installed on a finished floor (ideally tiles so there is no chance for moisture to get trapped under the wooden flooring), and cannot be directly installed on a concrete or cement base.
Choosing between laminate and engineered hardwood flooring ultimately depends on your priorities, lifestyle, and budget. Laminate offers an affordable and durable option with a vast array of design choices, while engineered hardwood provides an authentic wood experience with added stability. By understanding the differences between these two flooring options, you can confidently select the one that aligns with your aesthetic preferences and practical needs, creating a warm and resilient base for the spaces you are designing.
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