Engineered Hardwood Flooring vs Laminate
Gary Cripps Here we share our guide to the differences between parquet and laminate flooring, including cost, appearance and installation.
Choosing between laminate and parquet flooring can be an important decision. We are here to help you make your decision.
When two different materials are used, such as. B. Parquet and laminate flooring, it is good to consider all their properties. While cost seems to be the most important factor to consider today, you may punish yourself in the future if you don’t consider resale value or longevity.
You may decide to go for the look, but you will later find that the material you chose does not match the installation. Comparing the features below will help you make an informed decision about your new flooring.
Difference between engineered wood and laminate
First of all, it is important to know what material the floor covering you are comparing is made of, what it looks like and what its other features are.
Materials, appearance, installation methods, resale value and even durability are very different when comparing laminate and hardwood flooring.
These two materials are quite opposite to each other. Below is a brief description of each device to illustrate the differences.
What is a hardwood floor?
Material: Engineered wood is a thin layer of real hardwood with a spacer that adds depth and durability without increasing the price too much.
Appearance: A hardwood floor is the closest thing to a real hardwood floor because it has some real wood in it, giving it the look of a real hardwood floor.
Material: The developed part in the middle is usually plywood with a higher quality substrate. This gives fantastic dimensional stability, which is sometimes better for flooring choices than having hardwood planks everywhere.
Installation : Hardwood floors are usually installed using a nail gun or the glue method. This is a fairly permanent and relatively complicated installation for those looking to set up a new do it yourself. It is recommended to use a professional installer for the installation of the floors.
Resale Value : Since the surface of hardwood floors is exactly the same as regular hardwood floors, this is highly desirable. The only difference is the condition of the floor, and in real estate a book is often judged by its cover.
The resale cost of hardwood floors is quite high, not as high as real hardwood floors, but you will save money in the long run on materials and installation of hardwood floors.
Life expectancy: Hardwood floors have a long life, again not as long as real hardwood, but at a price that compares well. Hardwood floors can last 30 years or more!
Floor maintenance can only improve the lifespan. Unlike real parquet, engineered wood cannot be sanded and re-lacquered several times because there is only a thin layer of real wood on the planks.
Read more about the types of hardwood floors.
What is a laminate floor?
Material: The laminate flooring is made exclusively from male materials. The laminate has many layers, such as B. glass fibre cardboard and other plush materials, with a photo layer containing the desired image and a transparent wear layer on top to protect the printed photos. The thickness of this wear layer may vary depending on the type of product purchased.
Appearance: The look of laminate flooring is essentially a picture of how you want the floor to look. They are usually made of wood or stone because they are supposed to be a cheap alternative to reality.
It is possible to obtain highly detailed replicas of certain trees and stones with simulated textures and grains in the materials to support the illusion of wood and stones. As a general rule: The more realistic it is, the higher the price.
Installation : Installing laminate flooring is a fairly simple process. This is a common DIY project, but if you’re not that comfortable with it, it’s an inexpensive one to order.
Laminate floors are usually laid as a floating floor. Floating planks have as system edges where they interlock to create a floor over the original subfloor or even over another floor.
It is a floor covering that can be laid over another existing floor, as it does not require glue or nails that can damage the subfloor.
Resale Value : Laminate is an inexpensive flooring material. So making money by selling your home is no small feat.
Although laminate floors have many advantages, they are less desirable than wood or stone floors. This doesn’t mean that the house won’t sell if it has laminate flooring, it just means that the floor won’t be the prettiest part because it’s obviously a fake wood floor.
Life expectancy: In terms of resale, the durability of laminate flooring is not as high as that of the hardwood floors described above.
As a general rule, the overall lifespan of laminate flooring is around 10 to 20 years if it is properly maintained, which is not bad at all due to the low material and installation costs.
Costs of hardwood construction versus laminate
The cost of hardwood floors.
Hardwood floors are kind of a middle ground. They are not as expensive as real parquet, but they are not as cheap as complete imitations like laminate flooring.
Generally, hardwood floors cost between $5 and $10 per square foot. This price can vary depending on style, size and wood, but is generally within this price range.
However, in terms of installation, the price per square foot nearly doubles, with an additional $5 to $10 per square foot.
This is the work and materials needed to glue or nail the floor covering. It’s usually not something someone should try on their own, so it raises the price if it’s something that comes highly recommended.
Here we share more information about the cost of wood floors.
Cost of a laminate floor
Laminate floors are generally considered to be one of the most affordable floors. Laminate generally costs $1 to $3 per square foot.
This suggests that there are many factors that can increase this price. Wear layers can change both the price and the life of the laminate. The thicker the wear layer, the more expensive it is and the longer it lasts.
In addition, the cost may increase with the design of the cards themselves. This can be a custom image that can be used, or the amount of texture added for realism in the wear layer.
It is very realistic to spend up to $10 to $12 per square foot if you are really creative in your choice of laminate flooring. It is still very cheap compared to other materials, but it has the same quality as laminate.
None of these costs include installation. Fortunately, laminate flooring is very easy to lay and can be done by a layman or for an extra $1 or $2 per square foot.
Hardwood versus laminate – better.
In general, one material is not better than another, but just better for different areas or situations, depending on the needs of the buyer. Below are some of the features that are each better suited to hardwood floors than laminate.
Materials (durability, maintenance, etc.) Hardwood and laminate can be damaged by water when passing through barriers.
Laminate floors are easier to clean, but if they are damaged, you cannot repair them, but at least paint them once.
In general, hardwood floors are only slightly more durable than laminate, as they can be refinished once or even twice.
Appearance: When it comes to mimicking a real floor, the floor wins. With a thin layer of real wood on top, it is difficult to add a photo.
Installation : The installation of laminate floors is much easier thanks to the floating floor system. It also does not damage the subfloor or other floor coverings underneath, making it easy to remove. In most cases, engineered floor coverings need nails or glue and professional help.
Resale Value : Hardwood floors are better able to pass as hardwood, making them a better fit for potential buyers when selling a building.
Life expectancy: Hardwood floors can last up to 30 years and should be renewed at least once. This far exceeds the 10- to 20-year lifespan of laminate flooring.
Cost: Laminate floors are a much more affordable option than hardwood floors. Price Point is one of the largest outlets for laminate flooring.
What is your favorite parquet or laminate floor? Let us know in the comments below. For more information on this topic, please visit our page on laminate flooring versus solid hardwood flooring.
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