Is Laminate More Durable Than Engineered Wood

If you have your heart set on having a wood or faux wood floor you have four choices.

Is laminate more durable than engineered wood.

More expensive than other options. On average the installation cost of laminate floors is 50 less than solid hardwood. The top is real hardwood but it does not go solid all the way through. It won t add value but it will look great and last a long time.

Made of synthetic layers bonded together through a lamination process. This is what we have. Laminate flooring also has come advantage when it comes to heat resistance. Comparing engineered wood with laminate is an interesting and worthwhile exercise and you might be surprised by the results.

Laminate flooring can be more durable than both hardwood and bamboo flooring as it is a completely synthetic product. It is made of an mdf material pressed wood and then it has 1 4 inch wood veneer on the top. For example merbau is nearly twice as hard as cherry. Laminate flooring and engineered wood flooring are two obvious choices if you want a flooring that looks like solid hardwood but at a more affordable price.

Overall laminate flooring is more durable. More rigid than luxury vinyl aka non resilient average lifespan of 10 to 20 years. Undoubtedly the biggest advantage of laminate flooring is the price. There s actually not that much between them and most of the pros and cons are the same as comparing laminate vs hardwood.

The higher the rating the more durable the floors would be. Engineered flooring has its place and can look beautiful as well. Since bamboo originates in tropical areas it has a higher climatic suitability than solid wood floors. Laminate flooring is great for a durable floor that looks almost exactly like hardwood.

Both floor coverings were developed as economical and versatile alternatives to that mainstay of flooring material solid hardwood flooring. Even though all hardwoods are pretty durable since laminate is pressed wood it s even more durable and resistant to scratches and dents. Engineered hardwood floors give the look of a hardwood floor and come in a range of looks textures styles and colors. Laminate flooring is rarely subject to staining or fading.

Neither laminate nor solid hardwood flooring is ideal flooring materials for truly wet locations but laminate is somewhat better for humid locations such as installation against concrete slabs. Laminate flooring is more scratch resistant than hardwood flooring and hardwood floors can change color over time when constantly exposed to direct sunlight. If you re set on having a real hardwood look an engineered hardwood is an easier installation and more affordable price point than a solid hardwood.