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Examining Laminate Flooring And Engineered Wood Floors
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.
Defining Laminate Flooring
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.
Defining 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.
When Wood Laminate Flooring Is Better Than An Engineered Wood Floor
Laminate floors are generally a lot cheaper than engineered wood floors, largely due to the lack of real wood used. In high traffic areas where damage is unavoidable, replacement costs should also be considered. Although there is engineered wood flooring that is designed to handle high traffic areas, the price often makes it unattainable, even if it would be cheaper in the long run. A laminated floor is also far less likely to be scratched in the first place. In situations with children and pets, an engineered wood floor would likely be more trouble than it was worth. Laminate flooring installation is also very easy, as is maintenance.
When An Engineered Wood Floor Is Better Than A Laminate Floor?
An engineered wood floor gives a much more solid feel than a wood laminate floor. Many people complain about the hollow sound that often comes from laminate flooring. Unlike laminated floors, engineered wood floors can be sanded, if only a few times. This means that deep scratches that can’t be repaired can be sanded away. In conditions where an engineered wood floor is optimal, it will also last and look new for longer than a laminate floor.
Looking for more information on laminate flooring? Check out Laminate Floor Facts.
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Filed under ergonomics by on Jan 11th, 2010. Comment. 
Comments on Examining Laminate Flooring And Engineered Wood Floors
I totally agree an engineered wood floor is so much better than laminate, I believe it looks better and its obviously bespoke to the customers requirements so I would have to say yes it is more expensive but if you can afford it then you should choose this style over a laminate floor for sure.
Engineered wood floors work very well as they last for longer, they are a bit more expensive but it lasts for longer looks nicer, I would suggest that all people who can afford it should get this type of floooring
I understand why people go for laminate and engineered wood flooring – to save money. However, you should consider health issues. The material used in lamination and the bonding agent for the engineered wood both contain volatile organic compounds. A safe choice is hardwood flooring and you can get it really cheap directly from joineries and salvage yards.
Yea, in the long run engineered wood flooring will save you money as you won’t need to replace it for a long while. But laminate is appealing because its inexpensive and looks like wood flooring!
Laminate is great because it is cheaper and you can easily fix it on your own (well in my opinion). But still it doesn’t look as great as engineered wood flooring