Finding the right flooring solution for your home renovation project requires thoughtful planning. Although there are a myriad of options to consider for the various rooms in your house, engineered hardwood and laminate flooring are two of the most common options on the market today—and for good reason.
Both flooring options offer a combination of durability, visual appeal, and minimal maintenance. Whereas engineered hardwood showcases quality and traditional beauty, laminate offers a more versatile selection, which makes your decision anything but black and white.
Start your journey with Landmark Interiors to find which flooring option may fit your home best.
Appearance & Design
Between the two, engineered hardwood offers the most genuine wood-based look and feel. This is primarily due to its top layer of natural hardwood, which allows natural variations in the plank to create a unique and timeless aesthetic. In turn, this creates a sense of warmth with the wood’s texture to create quality ambiance. The visual appeal makes engineered hardwood a good choice for formal living rooms, since they’re typically available at a lower price point than solid hardwood.
Laminate, on the other hand, has come a long way in replicating the look of natural wood, with high-definition textured finishes that can appear to be natural wood from a distance. Newer laminate collections have improved in quality, which is good news for homeowners. Plus, laminate offers more colors and variations, which can make your options seem endless! However, certain laminate options may not carry the same level of detail found in engineered hardwood.
You can explore your different aesthetic options with each type of flooring here in our Look Book.
Durability & Maintenance
Appearances matter—and proper care keeps the quality of your home’s engineered hardwood or laminate fresh for years to come. Because engineered hardwood uses a top layer of natural hardwood, it does require a more attentive level of care and maintenance. For example, engineered hardwood isn’t water-resistant, so things like spills will require quick cleaning to ensure the integrity of the wood. For these reasons it might not be the best choice for a kitchen or dining room.
Water-resistant laminate may be easier to clean. Its durable surface makes it a great choice for busy households or high-traffic entryways and kitchens. This means everyday wear and tear is commonly prevented. Most notably, laminate uses a locking mechanism between the planks, which creates a strong, nearly impenetrable seal. This means that spills can be cleaned, up to 72 hours after the accident, with minimal damage to the floor
Installation
Generally speaking, engineered hardwood installation is more complex than laminate installation. This is partially because engineered hardwood can be glued or stapled directly to the subfloor, thus creating a strong, stable bond. Engineered hardwood is also ideal for uneven subfloors, so long as they’re properly prepped and leveled.
Both engineered hardwood and laminate allow for floated installation—although that process does require a perfectly level subfloor if using engineered hardwood. If you want to use floated installation for laminate, it can only be installed with a proper lock-together system. This click-lock system is used to connect the planks together to create a seamless and fortified surface.
Because engineered hardwood and laminate require ample tools and insight, Landmark Interiors recommends a professional for most installations to ensure the best quality possible.
Cost Considerations
Lastly, let’s look at the price differences between these two flooring types. In terms of material cost alone, laminate is typically seen as the clear winner as a more budget-friendly option compared to engineered hardwood. However, installation costs can vary depending on the chosen method, the complexity of your space, and whether any subfloor leveling is required as we talked about above.
Engineered hardwood installations that involve gluing or stapling directly to the subfloor may require additional labor, potentially increasing the overall installation cost. On the other hand, floating installations for both engineered hardwood and laminate tend to be less expensive. But, with engineered hardwood’s ability to be refinished and its superior lifespan, its value may outlast that of laminate flooring.
We Carry The Right Flooring Choice For Your Needs
There’s no right or wrong when it comes to engineered hardwood vs. laminate flooring. The right choice for your next renovation project will ultimately boil down to what you need and how much you prefer to spend. Either option allows for eye-catching visuals, durability, and long-lasting quality.
Visit your nearest Landmark Interiors retailer to get your flooring today!