Is Laminate Flooring The Same As Engineered

The natural top layer makes engineered wood just as durable as traditional hardwood and provides the same classic timeless look.

Is laminate flooring the same as engineered.

Laminate flooring and engineered hardwood floors are very similar and often get confused but there are some key differences to take into consideration when comparing the two floors. Laminate flooring can mimic almost any hardwood style. Essentially it s a low cost alternative to more expensive flooring options like hardwood stone and ceramic tiles and can be cheaper than even carpeting and vinyl. The main difference between the two floors is that engineered hardwood floors have an actual hardwood surface but structurally they are very similar to a laminate.

Laminate flooring and engineered hardwood are sometimes confused with each other because they can look similar. Engineered wood flooring has a similar construction as laminate except the top decorative layer is a thick veneer of real wood protected by a coating of a clear acrylic. However despite similar appearances there are key differences between them. Although they are made from similar materials they have key differences that make one option better than the other depending on where the flooring is going in your home.

Laminate and engineered wood floors are both very popular alternatives to hardwood floor but they are not created equal. It s made of several layers of compressed materials. Typically laminates contain an aluminum oxide surface layer that protects against fading spills stains and scratching. Overall price when it comes to installation and upkeep is another advantage of engineered hardwood.

Laminate is essentially a rigid synthetic floor that s also known as composite pergo or floating wood tile. Since you don t have to worry about it buckling engineered hardwood is very stable and versatile especially compared to laminate flooring. Some homeowners also find that heels and pet nails click annoyingly on the plastic surface. Both laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are usually less expensive than natural hardwood engineered wood and many types of ceramic or porcelain tile.

Laminate is also much thinner than engineered wood averaging around 12mm whereas engineered wood tends to be thicker like hardwoods. The surface layer is a type of plastic therefore it can be easily wiped down with general cleaning supplies. Laminate flooring and luxury vinyl flooring are roughly comparable in price although sheet vinyl does hold a slight edge. Most importantly engineered wood contains a top layer of solid wood while laminate uses a photographic layer coated with a wear layer to achieve the wood look surface.