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If you, like many others, are feeling indecisive regarding the engineered wood flooring vs laminate debate, you have come to the right place. In this post, I will explain the differences in composition, look and feel, installation, maintenance, and cost for both types of flooring.

Samples

 

My husband says we could floor our entire home with all the flooring samples I have collected over the last few years. That may or may not be true, but it isn’t my fault. There are just too many great options out there these days! To be a good steward of our money and make a good decision, I must look at them all.

That brings me to my first recommendation: order samples of all the flooring options you have been eyeing. To make an informed decision, you should see them in person and touch them. You can get samples through your local flooring store or the manufacturer’s or retailer’s website. You may have to pay for shipping, but that cost doesn’t compare to the cost of tearing out and replacing a floor you don’t like.

Helpful hint – If you lay them out on the floor, you can do a few things to test how they will perform in your home. I like to drop a little liquid on the sample to see how it behaves with moisture. I also walk on and let my dog walk on the samples to see how footprints show up on the sample. Finally, I drop things like a tape measure (which happens regularly in our home) on the sample to see how it reacts.

Composition

Engineered Hardwood Composition

Engineered hardwood flooring is similar to solid hardwood in appearance but not composition. Unlike solid hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood is comprised of layers of plywood and a thin layer of solid wood as the top layer.

The 3 – 12 layers of thin plywood pressed and glued together make up the core and provide stability for the flooring. The solid wood veneer that makes up the top layer is the solid wood layer you see when the floor is installed.

The veneer, known as the wear layer, comes in various thicknesses. Why does this matter to you? It matters because the thickness of the veneer layer determines how often a floor can be sanded and refinished.

For example, engineered hardwood with a 1mm wear layer would not be able to be sanded and refinished, whereas a floor that has a 4mm wear layer could be sanded up to 4 times.

Laminate Flooring Composition

Laminate floors are composed of three layers. The first layer is a base or core layer made up of high-density fiberboard or plywood. This base layer provides structure and stability for the flooring. The second layer is a photographic image that resembles wood. The third and top layer of laminate wood flooring is a clear wear layer of melamine or urethane.

​Some laminate flooring is deemed waterproof, and some water-resistant. The distinction is simply a matter of how long it takes water to penetrate the flooring. When shopping, you should consider the application and the probability of water exposure when choosing between waterproof and water-resistant laminate.

Another consideration is the laminate AC rating, which represents the level of durability. Is the area of installation a high-traffic area? If so, you might want to consider a laminate with a higher AC rating.

​Look and Feel

Engineered Hardwood Look and Feel

While both flooring types can provide a wood look, if you are in the market for flooring that looks like solid wood flooring, engineered hardwood is probably your best choice.  It comes in a variety of species and different colors and is really beautiful installed.

The photo below (and at the top of the post) shows how much engineered hardwood looks like solid wood. In this house, we installed Padua by ADM Flooring, which I highly recommend. Psst…if you use code “thisrenovatedhouse”, you will receive 5% off your order.

Laminate Flooring Look and Feel

If you are looking for the look of wood without the cost of engineered hardwood, laminate is a great choice. A high-quality laminate can even feel similar to wood with the current embossing techniques that are used. If you want a place to start on high-quality laminate flooring, I recommend Here Are The Best Laminate Flooring Materials For Your Home by Geraldine Orentas and Corinne Tynan on Forbes.

Installation

Engineered Hardwood Installation

The installation methods differ for engineered hardwood and laminate. Engineered hardwood is installed over a solid subfloor such as concrete or plywood and is stapled, glued, or both to the subfloor. Professional installation is typically recommended for engineered hardwood flooring.

That said, my husband and I installed all the engineered hardwood on our last project, which turned out beautifully. It can be done as long as you follow the instructions (always a challenge for me) and prepare the subfloor as directed. I also totally understand if it seems too risky to you!

If you do choose to install engineered hardwood yourself, I recommend that you have reasonable expectations in terms of installation time. Anytime you do something for the first time, there is a learning curve. You will gain some speed once you fully understand how to do it.

One of the keys to a sound installation is taking your time to follow all guidelines and to do it right. If you rush through it, I promise you will be able to see it in the finished product.   You also spent a pretty penny on that flooring and would be furious if you had to remove it. Remember, slow and steady wins the race!

Laminate Flooring Installation

The ease of installation makes laminate a better choice for first-time flooring DIYers. Laminate flooring is installed as a floating floor. It utilizes a groove system, which allows the installer to simply interlock the planks. The installer will use a hammer and a block of sorts to prevent damage to the plank. Laminate is laid over a foam underlayment that is easy for any newbie to install. It is said that you can typically install laminate in a room in just a few hours.

If you plan to perform the installation yourself, I recommend watching videos showing how to install laminate flooring. For laminate floors, I recommend this video by UK Flooring Direct. If you are planning to install engineered hardwood flooring, I recommend this video by Home RenoVision DIY.

Maintenance

Engineered Hardwood Maintenance

As much as I wish it were, engineered hardwood is not maintenance-free flooring. Regular sweeping, even daily, with a soft-bristle broom is the best way to keep your floors looking their best. You can also use a lightweight vacuum. Ensure the rotating bristle bar is not engaged, as it might scratch the floor.

Also, ensure the wheels don’t leave marks on your floor before making it part of your cleaning routine. A microfiber mop can also be used to dry mop the floor to collect dirt and debris.

To avoid moisture damage, a wet mop should never be used, and spills should be cleaned immediately to prevent moisture damage. A damp mop with the appropriate cleaner can typically be used for cleaning engineered hardwood floors. I suggest doing some research to see which cleaner and cleaning method is recommended by the manufacturer of the flooring.

Whether the flooring has an oil or lacquer finish can dictate the type of cleaner to be used. It is always safest to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Laminate Flooring Maintenance

As with engineered hardwood flooring, you should always verify the cleaning products and methods to be used with the laminate flooring manufacturer. Similarly to engineered hardwood, laminate floors should be swept or vacuumed regularly and mopped with a damp mop at least every two months. The protective layer on laminate floors makes it less susceptible to water damage, but spills still must be cleaned immediately.

Regardless of your final decision regarding engineered hardwood vs laminate flooring, you must take good care of your flooring. This will help to keep your floors beautiful for years to come!

Cost

Engineered Hardwood Cost

Engineered wood flooring cost varies significantly, depending on the construction, wear layer thickness, and plank size. Material costs can range from $2.50 – $15 per square foot. Installation costs will vary depending on location and market demands.

If you decide to go the engineered hardwood route and plan to have it installed by a professional, I recommend getting at least three quotes. Once you have them, make sure you are comparing apples to apples when evaluating them!

When evaluating costs, you should always consider value.   Although engineered wood flooring is more costly than laminate flooring, it can make a difference in a home’s resale value. People love hardwood flooring, and to anyone who comes to your home, it will look like just that. It will also last longer than laminate flooring!

Laminate Flooring Cost

Regarding affordability, laminate wood flooring has a lower price per square foot than engineered hardwood flooring. If you can install the flooring and eliminate the installation cost, laminate flooring costs can be significantly lower.

The cost of laminate flooring will vary based on style, thickness, level of durability, finish, and the amount of flooring needed. You can expect to spend around $1 – $4 per square foot for material and another $4 – $8 per square foot for installation.

Summary

In this post, we addressed the very common engineered wood flooring vs laminate debate by looking at some key differences. We compared composition, look and feel, installation, maintenance, and cost between the two types of flooring. You should now have the information you need to make an informed decision on new flooring. If you are in the process of renovating and interested in adding an arch or two, make sure to check out my post, Stunning Arched Doorway: Create One Using a Kit!