The only real similarities between engineered wood flooring and laminate wood flooring is those last two words in their titles. People still confuse them, though. We'll take a look at both the similarities and differences between them to help you figure out which will work best for you. However, you will still have to be careful since a lot of people often call both the engineered and laminate floor the same thing, and it can be hard to tell which one they are talking about.
What Laminated Flooring Is And What It's Not
Laminate flooring isn't made out of solid wood at all. Instead, it's basically a really high definition photo of wood covered in resin to protect it, generally sitting on top of a wood-chip composite. That composite is actually the only real wood that's involved in laminate flooring at all, even though it may look totally realistic to many. Lots of people that are not accustomed to laminate have to actually get down on the floor to be able to tell if it is engineered wood flooring, or a laminated flooring.
What Is Engineered Wood Flooring?
Engineered wood flooring is actually wood, of a sort. It is definitely not to be confused with what is traditionally referred to as hard wood flooring. The top layer of engineered wood flooring is real wood. However, this top layer is very thin, and therefore cannot be sanded like a hard wood floor. Unfortunately, this means that deep scratches and scuffs often require replacement of planks, making engineered wood flooring a bit more fragile than true hardwood flooring.
Laminate Floors Are Better For Some People
Laminate floors will generally cost less than an engineered wood floor, mainly because there is no real, hard wood used. Be sure, though, that in areas where there will be high traffic, you consider the costs of replacing some planks. Yes, there are engineered wood floors that are designed for high traffic, but they are quite expensive and not always attainable, even if the end result would be money saved. Laminated floors are not as likely to get scratched or scuffed from the get go. If you have children, pets, or both, then engineered wood flooring may not be worth the trouble. Laminate flooring installation is also extremely easy, and maintenance is, too.
When Is An Engineered Wood Floor Better Than A Laminate Floor?
Engineered wood floors definitely feel more solid than the typical laminated floor. Some people dislike the sound, which is a bit hollow, that comes from a laminate floor. As opposed to laminate wood floors, an engineered wood floor can actually be sanded, though only one or two times. Because of this, some deeper scratches that cannot be fixed can instead be sanded, but only if they are not too deep. In situation where engineered wood floors are optimal, they'll last long, and also look new longer than your typical laminate floor. - 29851
What Laminated Flooring Is And What It's Not
Laminate flooring isn't made out of solid wood at all. Instead, it's basically a really high definition photo of wood covered in resin to protect it, generally sitting on top of a wood-chip composite. That composite is actually the only real wood that's involved in laminate flooring at all, even though it may look totally realistic to many. Lots of people that are not accustomed to laminate have to actually get down on the floor to be able to tell if it is engineered wood flooring, or a laminated flooring.
What Is Engineered Wood Flooring?
Engineered wood flooring is actually wood, of a sort. It is definitely not to be confused with what is traditionally referred to as hard wood flooring. The top layer of engineered wood flooring is real wood. However, this top layer is very thin, and therefore cannot be sanded like a hard wood floor. Unfortunately, this means that deep scratches and scuffs often require replacement of planks, making engineered wood flooring a bit more fragile than true hardwood flooring.
Laminate Floors Are Better For Some People
Laminate floors will generally cost less than an engineered wood floor, mainly because there is no real, hard wood used. Be sure, though, that in areas where there will be high traffic, you consider the costs of replacing some planks. Yes, there are engineered wood floors that are designed for high traffic, but they are quite expensive and not always attainable, even if the end result would be money saved. Laminated floors are not as likely to get scratched or scuffed from the get go. If you have children, pets, or both, then engineered wood flooring may not be worth the trouble. Laminate flooring installation is also extremely easy, and maintenance is, too.
When Is An Engineered Wood Floor Better Than A Laminate Floor?
Engineered wood floors definitely feel more solid than the typical laminated floor. Some people dislike the sound, which is a bit hollow, that comes from a laminate floor. As opposed to laminate wood floors, an engineered wood floor can actually be sanded, though only one or two times. Because of this, some deeper scratches that cannot be fixed can instead be sanded, but only if they are not too deep. In situation where engineered wood floors are optimal, they'll last long, and also look new longer than your typical laminate floor. - 29851
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Looking for more information on laminate flooring? Check out Laminate Floor Facts.
