There’s a reason why the global flooring market is worth an estimated $369.26 billion. The right flooring can make or break a home. For people who want wood-style floors, there has been an ongoing battle between engineered hardwood vs laminate floors. There is no specific winner — both materials have their benefits and drawbacks.
To help you decide which floor type will fit your house and style preference best, we’ve organized this guide. Let’s get started so you can decide which floors suit your needs.
Engineered Hardwood vs Laminate Flooring
Before we can debate the merits of these two flooring types, it’s important to first exactly what they are. Engineered hardwood does have a thin layer of hardwood in it. However, this layer only covers the exterior of the flooring material. The inside is made of plywood. This gives it the appearance of hardwood, with a more affordable interior for stability.
Laminate flooring, on the other hand, doesn’t contain any wood. Instead, it’s constructed with a fiberboard base. From there, a photographic image is copied over it and sealed with a wear layer. It looks slightly like wood, but the façade quickly fades if you look closely at it.
Pros and Cons of Engineered Hardwood Flooring
The biggest pro that comes with engineered hardwood is the overall look. It comes with the look of real wood because the outside is made of it. This attractive look can improve the appearance of rooms and, by extension, increase the real estate value. On top of that, it also lasts for a fairly long time — an average of thirty years.
However, it does come with some problems too. For one thing, it’s fairly expensive. It’s only marginally more affordable than real hardwood. It’s also hard to install. As such, you likely will require professional help if you want it done the right way.
Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring
The best thing about laminate flooring is the price. Compared to engineered hardwood this type of flooring is much more affordable. It’s also much more user friendly. Engineered hardwood typically requires professional installation. However, it’s fairly easy to install laminate flooring yourself thanks to the interlocking edges.
The biggest problem with laminate flooring is the appearance. Some brands of laminate floors have indeed come a long way in emulating the look of wood. However, at the end of the day, it’s still an imitation.
The other con with laminate floors is that they don’t last quite as long as engineered wood. Compared to the real thing, you can expect laminate floors to last between ten and twenty years.
Want More Great Content? Keep On Reading
We hope this article helped you decide between engineered hardwood vs laminate flooring. It’s a tough decision, but ultimately it comes down to your preference and needs. At the end of the day, engineered hardwood may look better, but laminate flooring offers the best value.
Do you want more home improvement topics? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep on exploring to find more topics that you’re sure to love.
