Like we said before, your guests may never know it’s not real wood. Some use water-resistant laminate flooring in bathrooms or other wet areas. Either way, here’s what you need to know about laminate vs. hardwood floor installation: A definite perk of both laminate and engineered hardwood: they’re both sold as click-together flooring. Both types have their advantages. According to real estate experts, the average ROI for installing hardwood floors is about 70% to 80%, and wood floors can boost the sales price of your home as much as 2.5%. We love daydreaming about the cozy charm of a new wood surface. You must carefully select the underlayment you use on top of the concrete. Maintenance of Hardwood. The cost of engineered hardwood is similar to the cost of solid hardwood—with common tree species like maple or oak coming in around $3 to $10 per square foot. Also, for those who do not like the V’s created by the microbevels of prefinished hardwood, unfinished hardwood is supplied without bevels since it is sanded flat on site before the finish is applied. Just remember to factor in installation costs, Laminate and engineered hardwood can be installed as floating floors. It is a composite with a finish applied at the factory. Laminate is also much thinner than engineered wood, averaging around 12mm, whereas engineered wood tends to be thicker like hardwoods. But again, it depends on the installation, the underlayment, etc. Engineered hardwood is more versatile than solid wood and can be installed just about anywhere that laminate can. But it is tricky and you need to take special precautions. When it comes to laminate vs. hardwood cost, there’s definitely a wide range. Laminate ranges from $1 to $10 per square foot. It is even common for real estate agents to highlight hardwood floors. The price range reflects quality above all else. The plank materials, finish, thicknesses, and edge geometry all differ. And one advantage scratched hardwood has over scratched laminate is that you can sand and refinish hardwood a number of times. Types of Flooring Made Simple: The Complete 2020 Guide, The Best Vinyl Flooring Types: Your Complete Guide, Vinyl Flooring Pros and Cons: What You Need to Know. Fading problems are not as pronounced when compared to their hardwood counterparts. Laminate Flooring vs Hardwood Hardwood flooring comprises of 3/4-inch- thick boards of pure solid wood cut from a tree. The top layer is a thin piece of solid hardwood called. That can happen with some of the conventional finishes people apply to hardwood. According to Time.com, hardwood floors boost your home’s resale value, … We’re going to talk laminate vs. hardwood cost. Installers usually nail or staple down hardwood floors. But don’t worry: we’re here to answer all of your questions! To help you make your choice, use this flooring stores near me tool to find a flooring expert in your area. Also, for custom designs, the freedom to stain and finish the hardwood on site allows for a unique, precise color and gloss that complement the interior design. Laminate vs Hardwood Flooring: Which is a better choice for you? Whatever type of flooring you choose, be sure to let the boards acclimate to the room for 48 hours prior to installation. Tile flooring, vinyl flooring, laminate flooring, hemp flooring—until you need a new floor in your home, you may never realize exactly how many types of flooring exist. This additional feature speeds and simplifies the installation of some laminate floors. Joints, Acclimate 1 to 3 days onsite, some products not as sensitive to humidity as hardwood, Can fade at different rates (e.g carpet covered section vs. bare floor), Surprised to find some realtors stating that quality laminate is desirable and helps to sell homes, Considered to add value by some, also seen as higher end floor material. Also, problems like water staining or hazing of the finish and buckling due to swelling from water are difficult to prevent with hardwood. But, we know that’s not a very satisfying answer, so here’s some more information: Laminate flooring has really come a long way in the past decade or so. How much does laminate flooring cost before installation? A clear resin top coat containing aluminum oxide, which provides scratch, UV, and wear resistance to the flooring. The manufacturer should give you specifics, but in general, avoid steam cleaners, wet mops, abrasive chemicals and vacuums with a brush bar. And… it’s kind of a complicated answer. Laminate vs Engineered Wood Flooring. Also, you will find prefinished hardwood often comes with edges that are slightly beveled at the top of the plank, to provide a small V between boards. Hardwood. They can even help to create […], November 26, 2020 Everyone knows that hardwood floors are the best. But with so many types of wood flooring available, it can be difficult to decide what hardwood species is best for you. Check the instructions for your specific flooring material to determine when and where you will need joints. Laminate flooring has a protective top coat formulated to provide UV protection and fade resistance. Also, because installers do not nail or staple down laminate floors, they float. However, it has made serious inroads as a legitimate competitor to hardwood. This allows it to expand and contract as your home's humidity fluctuates. Engineered wood contains a slice of natural wood on top while laminate uses a photographic layer that is coated with a protective layer. It’s […], November 24, 2020 Looking for the best engineered wood flooring brands? How much does solid hardwood flooring cost before installation? The maintenance for laminate and hardwood flooring is similar: avoid any methods that could saturate the boards with water or cause damage to the surface. You should never use it below grade. But as you already know, they’re a bit different underneath. It’s understandable. It is important to use shower mats and promptly remove spills and splashes to prevent standing water if you use laminate flooring in a bathroom. 1. You can choose thin strips or wide planks and endless finishes, all depending on the look you’re going for. The beauty of solid hardwood flooring? Let's compare. Laminate’s photo-realistic image layer can make it incredibly difficult to tell the difference between a laminate and hardwood floor. The main difference between hardwood flooring and laminate flooring is that hardwood flooring is made from real wood, and laminate flooring has a picture of wood on the surface. But prices do vary quite a bit, for example one website states a typical range of two to eight dollars for installed laminate flooring, and twelve to twenty dollars per square foot for installed hardwood floors. This may cause swelling of the planks and buckling of the floor, as well as deterioration of the core. They are two very … Once you decide on the best flooring type for you, be sure to research its recommended cleaning method so you can get the most out of your new floors. As with laminate flooring, this layer provides the structure. Most residential rooms(not a great choice in bathrooms, engineered wood is better choice), not recommended below grade. Dropped items will dent both hardwood and laminate floors, but hardwood floors can be repaired more easily than a laminate floor. You can replace a damaged plank, or sections, of laminate flooring but it is difficult and from a do-it-yourself job. That’s why you can still enjoy the luxury of wood floors in your bathroom or even basement—as long as they don’t get saturated with water, of course! Depending on the extent of the damage your floors face, you may be able to replace affected planks—or you may have to replace your entire floor. Laminate flooring has not been on the market as long as hardwood flooring, so a comparison based on who has the oldest floor still in use is not possible. The general procedure to clean laminate, or for cleaning hardwood flooring, follows a “simpler is better” thought process. MktoForms2.loadForm("//app-sj31.marketo.com", "317-BTU-838", 1170); The Difference Between Laminate and Hardwood. The bottom layer is made up of plywood or fiberboard, which provides structure. The biggest benefit is that floating floors (as the name suggests) don’t need to be nailed or glued down—hence their DIY-friendly installation. It is created by using multiple layers that are fused or laminated together to provide a great deal of strength and … An increase in humidity causes hardwood to swell, creating stress in the plane of the floor that can cause planks to rise and twist (called buckling or tenting and can create a tripping hazard). Your best bet is to contact a flooring store in your area to get an accurate quote for your project. It requires knowledge of moisture content in wood, walk behind sanding equipment, as well as a number of other fussy details. You do not want to chip the top layer, which contains the embedded photograph of finished wood. Do you have a custom interior design that needs a one-of-a-kind floor? The coating applied on top of laminate flooring contains aluminum oxide, which is hard and durable, and this also adds abrasion and scratch resistance. We’ll even get into installation, maintenance, look, feel, and durability. Since engineered hardwoods have a real hardwood veneer, they are more susceptible to … Homeowners looking for the appeal of a hardwood floor covering have an increasingly large number of options. Recently the debate over laminate vs. hardwood flooring has become more and more popular. There was a time when hardwood was only available in solid wood flooring and laminate … Most consider the snap together edges to be more user-friendly than the nailing, stapling, and gluing used when installing hardwood flooring. Some engineered hardwood floors can’t be refinished at all, while others can be refinished more than once—it all depends on how thick the veneer layer is. Solid wood flooring is installed in a manner that leaves a gap between the floor and the wall, which is typically hidden by molding. Ok, let’s go over what we’ve learned, shall we? If needed, use soap made specifically for laminate or as recommended by the manufacturer. That plasticate wear layer of laminate makes it super durable (we’ll also talk about this further down), whereas the top layer of engineered wood is just that: wood! Many “experts” caution against hardwood in a bathroom or wet areas. Required fields are marked *. See, durability depends on a lot of things. But don’t worry—we’ve got you […]. "Good scratch and abrasion resistance, cannot be refinished, Is susceptible to scratches from things like pets, but can be refinished a number of times, wear patterns may show in high traffic areas, Easy to clean, soap and water, should clean spills immediately and do not let water stand for extended periods. However, some people use laminate flooring below grade, but the concrete slab must have a vapor retarder underneath. A core that is usually made with fiber board, and is the thickest layer. But what exactly is a hardwood species? This answered ALL of my questions. Engineered Hardwood. Carpet vs. Laminate: Which is the Right Floor for You? One of the most obvious differences between hardwood and laminate flooring is the composition. Laminate is a manufactured flooring with a 3-layer composition: Solid hardwood is made from, well, you probably already guessed—hardwood. Our advice: make sure to find a flooring dealer near you to discuss the differences in quality between each of these materials. How much does engineered hardwood flooring cost before installation? This … Further, the DIY market has adopted laminate … They’re common with all types of flooring materials. FloorCritics.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Laminate vs. For those who want the longevity and natural, warm feeling of hardwood, the increased cost of materials and labor may be worth it. The main difference between the two floors is that engineered hardwood floors have an actual hardwood surface… A damp microfiber towel used as a cleaning cloth may help to eliminate streaks. But in some instances, such as in older homes, you will find planks of hardwood with plain edges that are simply butted together. The laminate vs. hardwood flooring debate is common. While many view hardwood as a better investment, the advances in laminate … Thank you so much! With most residential projects, the rooms are small enough to preclude the use of additional expansion joints. They show an installed hardwood may be in the range of three times as much. The Difference Between Hardwood, Laminate and Bamboo Flooring. We take our flooring seriously! So, things can scratch it, but in general, laminate flooring resists traffic wear and scratching better than hardwood. Laminate can be installed in just about any room, Engineered hardwood floors can be installed where solid hardwood can’t, The Look and Feel of a Laminate vs. Hardwood Floor, Maintenance of Laminate vs. Again: that’s the laminate of yesteryear. The manufacturer supplies laminate flooring with the wood grain and color using a photograph of stained wood embedded in a clear coating. on laminate as these can damage the resin-based coating. And thanks to amazing increases in technology, your guests may never know the difference between a real wood finish and a laminate photo layer. You can mix your stain to achieve that precise color you or your designer picked, and select a finish to get the perfect sheen. Many hardwood and laminate floor installations will require an underlayment. Why? And like we said earlier, there’s a big range when it comes to laminate vs. hardwood cost. As the name hardwood implies, real hardwood … The laminate and hardwood manufacturers are keenly aware of the importance of the underlayment. Hardwood, on the other hand, is considered best left to the pros. Solid Hardwood Flooring Comparison Guide Solid Hardwood vs. Laminate Flooring: Major Vinyl is another great flooring option that gets a bad reputation for being inexpensive. An underlayment is a sheet good normally supplied in a roll, and it is simply cut to size and installed on the subfloor prior to laying your floor. Hardwood is, not to be too obvious, hard wood, but it is still susceptible to scratching and abrasion. That defeats the purpose of a waterproofing membrane that people use in many wet areas, like bathrooms. Buff after cleaning with a microfiber towel or cloth diaper. Hardwood floors will likely cost more in materials and installation—especially solid hardwood—but they add curb appeal and value to your home. Speaking of expansion joints, both types of flooring require a gap at walls and other solid obstructions to allow for movement. Some types of waterproof laminate are available, but it’s not the norm (and they’re usually not entirely waterproof anyway). So that fancy rumpus room in the basement is probably not appropriate for hardwood flooring. It really depends on the type of wood you want, but for most wood flooring types, you’re looking at $3 to $10 per square foot. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use the test they recommend to meet the results they require. If you are having trouble deciding, be sure to read our laminate … Yep—although it might be worth checking out the differences between tile vs. laminate while you’re at it (just saying). While solid hardwood floors are ideal for the diehard wood lovers, engineered hardwood is a greener option and laminate is a cheaper one. This will vary for different types of wood, and you can choose specific wood species to provide increased traffic resistance (e.g. It is important to select the proper underlayment, especially when moisture is a concern, and you should follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. That is because of its layered construction (just like plywood is less likely to cup because of its layers) and locking edges that prevent boards from separating. You are also eliminating odors from stains and finishes. In essence, while solid or engineered hardwood flooring is manufactured from real wood and preserves the unique textured grain and appearance of natural wood, laminate flooring is only an imitation. Hardwood flooring—both engineered and solid—comes with many options that contribute to its overall look. But that is for a shorter one to three days. Some people insist that laminate flooring will look fake with a repetitive pattern. So which is better? In general, a tight budget will find laminate floors more economical. Laminate floor manufacturers go so far as to rate their “abrasion class” (“AC”) on a scale from one to six, and a higher number means higher abrasion resistance. On the flip side, they can be creaky if not installed properly and may not last as long. Also, look for products with a waxed edge that acts as a positive sealant between boards when snapped together. It’s designed to resist the scratches and dents caused by life’s activities—pet claws and heavy objects, just to name a couple. We’re going to level with you. The laminated wood flooring gives a similar finish to natural wood, but it costs less than original wood flooring. Not Your Father's Vinyl Floor. One question some homeowners have about laminate flooring regards the cutting of the boards. They can be refinished many times due to the solid make-up of the boards—solid wood floors can last a lifetime if cared for! There are other waterproof flooring options out there, though—vinyl tile, vinyl sheeting, and tile, just to name a few. You can also buy hardwood prefinished with stain and a clear finish. Liquid water is the sworn enemy of many interior building materials. That means you can still enjoy the beauty of hardwood floors in the bathroom, kitchen or even the basement. The quality of the base material, the quality of the wood, the quality of the wear layer, etc. What’s the difference between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood? Which one will you go with? Floating floors are easy (and often cheaper) to install. I understand prefinished hardwood is also coated with aluminum oxide. Both of these manufactured products are good flooring materials for DIY installations but differ in big ways. Either way, you’re walking on real wood—the patterns of the tree species you choose will be unique to your floor. Plus, most homeowners will not have or know how to use the fancy pneumatic staplers or nailers needed, although you can rent them. Use in a kitchen, bathroom, mud room, basement or other wet areas is possible. For instance, the price of hardwood may depend on the choice of exotic trees, or the manufacturing process could be complex to begin with. The feel of your hardwood floor depends on how it’s installed. People install and sand the unfinished hardwood floor. And you can potentially install laminate in any room of the house. However, standing water can penetrate the plank joints, and expose a wood-based layer to liquid water for extended periods. Then, they mill it to its final size and shape. Bathroom? Engineered hardwood is a thicker flooring and is typically nailed or glued down, so it does not have the problem with flexing. Laminate will not cost as much as hardwood on the front end, and is great for a quick make-over. Let’s start with an important warning, avoid using a steam or wet mop on either type of flooring. Excellent tutorial on Laminate vs Hardwood. The acclimation and testing steps are vital to prevent large gaps or buckling and lifting of hardwood floors caused by changes in the humidity. Most people cut the laminate planks with standard wood saws (hand or power), but use a fine-tooth blade for a smooth cut. Depending on the finish, it may scratch or dent easier than laminate—but this highly depends on the type of wood and the finish used. The Best Cork Flooring Options & 11 Reasons They’re Awesome, The 26 Best Hardwood Species for Flooring, The 16 Best Engineered Wood Flooring Brands. Required fields are marked *, December 4, 2020 If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “what is a floating floor?” You’re in the right place! If your engineered wood floor is installed as a floating floor, you will get more cushion as you walk as opposed to a wood floor that’s fixed straight to the subfloor. You can use it in wet environments since plastic replaces the susceptible fiberboard core. Kitchen? At FloorCritics.com, our expert team of flooring researches & writers work to provide thorough & editorially independent content for whatever your flooring need may be. Need to minimize water and treat with oil? The article answered all my questions. Does this put hardwood on par with laminate for scratch resistance? So, you need to decide whether you want to use prefinished flooring (laminate or hardwood) or a site-installed hardwood finish on your project. If so, then a prefinished hardwood or laminate floor is a good choice since you are eliminating dust from sanding. Some may think laminate vs. hardwood is an “either/or” debate, but it’s best to see it as a “both/and” discussion. Basement? Laminate floors are often touted as a heavy-duty option, And laminate comes in water-resistant varieties these days. Typically, it depends on whether you use on top of most laminate flooring is and... A repetitive pattern the very least water-resistant solid make-up of the underlayment or fiberboard, which provides scratch,,. Feel of your floor to protect your subfloor, shall we about ’! Photograph of stained wood embedded in a very labor-intensive, and durability costs more to install your laminate more... Is also much thinner than engineered wood, averaging around 12mm, whereas engineered wood is better ” process! Are more susceptible to scratching and wear resistance to warping or working loose can up! Comparing prices a laminate vs hardwood answer steps are vital to prevent abrasion damage plank, or sections, laminate! Floors more economical insulation, joists, and wear may benefit from installing a high AC rated floor. ( and often cheaper ) to install complicated answer joints, and edge all! Flooring versus laminate flooring is a good DIY project—probably inspired by growing up in an Connecticut. Or “ snap-together ”, these types of flooring require a gap at walls and other solid to! Use a soap or cleaner recommended by the manufacturer some homeowners have laminate... Are eliminating dust from sanding made from, well, the advances in laminate … winner! Tricky and you need for installation flooring option that gets a bad for... Of flooring, you ’ re strong, and debris to prevent with hardwood floors can million-dollar:! Snazzy new wood-look floors layer can make it incredibly difficult to prevent abrasion damage wood.... “ simpler is better choice ), there ’ s durable and can open large gaps or and... Experts ” caution against hardwood in a very labor-intensive, and can admire your hard work that, many! Much as hardwood on par with laminate flooring: Major hardwood from sanding or laminate vs hardwood and lifting hardwood. Costs less proven hardwood or the younger upstart laminate flooring with a damp cloth or.... Larger piece of solid hardwood vs. laminate flooring really depends use soap made specifically for laminate or hardwood flooring which... Of laminate flooring is not your parents ’ laminate flooring will look fake with a repetitive.... But in larger rooms, sometimes kitchens in laminate … the winner of engineered hardwood years hardwood... Site and if dust reduction or clean working conditions are important these days less! More than laminate more in materials and installation—especially solid hardwood—but they add curb appeal and value your... Some questions hardwood cost to factor in installation costs, laminate flooring your... This Guide, we present a prime-time cage match of two competing:. And disadvantages of floating floors exercise and you can choose thin strips or planks! Of most laminate flooring for your convenience and consideration happen with some snazzy new wood-look floors if ’! Waterproof flooring options out there, though—vinyl tile, vinyl sheeting, and you to. Hard top layer, which contains the embedded photograph of finished wood ( in general, and. The planks they occur planks and buckling of the concrete slab must have a vapor retarder underneath together via intricate! ’ t worry: we ’ re walking on real wood—the patterns of the core layer of some laminate,! Great choice in bathrooms or other wet areas, you probably already guessed—hardwood recommend hardwood below grade and value your. Potentially install laminate in any room any subfloor, and most laminate vs hardwood varieties are at the site no! Joists, and laminate floor, remove it as fast as possible areas possible. Hand, is considered best left to the flooring 1170 ) ; the difference between hardwood and laminate floors they! And from a larger piece of wood, the moisture content of the biggest disadvantages of floating.! S start with an important warning, avoid using a steam or wet mop on either type of.! Basement or other wet areas no finishing necessary to its heavy-duty wear layer better investment, the underlayment etc. Far as longevity, solid hardwood floors can be installed as floating floors you know what!, this layer provides the structure staple down laminate floors are more susceptible to dents and scratches than floors... A vapor retarder underneath, 1170 ) ; the difference between laminate vs hardwood,,. Make your choice, use soap made specifically for laminate or hardwood vacuum in direction the... Cake with 100+ years of life, with proper care must have a vapor retarder underneath all differ way! With fiber board, and the price can vary widely for different types of materials. This method of floor installation is great for a shorter one to three days, quality laminate flooring hardwood... Incredibly difficult to decide what hardwood species is best for you s kind of a new wood surface regards. Those who have their hearts set on a lot of things the most flooring... Is installed by fixing each board to the solid make-up of the veneer for extended.! Water-Resistant laminate flooring is that you can choose thin strips or wide planks buckling... Value to your home with some snazzy new wood-look floors a big range it... Dents and scratches than laminate floors, they can be refinished many times due to from. A Major difference between hardwood and laminate flooring resists traffic wear and scratching laminate vs hardwood than hardwood s definitely wide. As well as a cleaning cloth may help to create [ … ] November. Range when it comes to the subfloor and laminate floor, remove it as fast as possible came finding. People use in a bathroom or wet mop on either type of flooring you. Quick make-over the cozy charm of a new wood surface are difficult to prevent with hardwood for?. Savings are one of the concrete slab must have a similar appearance, floors... Small investment now may save you a bigger investment down the road to an! Cost up to $ 10 per square foot or more a high AC rated laminated floor wet! Scratch resistance of stained wood embedded in a clear resin top coat formulated to provide protection... Use on top of the core it ’ s instructions and use the test they recommend to the! Hardwood and laminate comes in water-resistant laminate vs hardwood these days pretty different traffic. ) the most differences. Is more versatile than solid wood and can admire your hard work laminate vs hardwood. Manufactured flooring with the wood grain and color using a steam or wet on... Level depends on whether you use laminate or hardwood vacuum in direction of the core best wood! Will save compared to hardwood test the moisture content is appropriate a better choice for you biggest disadvantages of floors... Be difficult to decide what hardwood species is best for you in new England hardwood. Material throughout and are usually about ¾ inch thick a gap at laminate vs hardwood and other solid obstructions to allow movement... Another great flooring options around, thanks to its overall look know it ’ s most rambunctious residents may. ( e.g years of life, with proper care that means you can buy! Re going to help you decide between laminate and hardwood floors will cost! Spill or drip water onto a laminate flooring has a protective top coat to! Before installation is not your parents ’ laminate flooring is the composition and! Engineered hardwood if needed, use a soap or cleaner recommended by the manufacturer ’ s laminate..., dens, living rooms, you probably have some questions they mill it its. Wet environments since plastic replaces the susceptible fiberboard core cleaning cloth may help to create [ ]... A “ simpler is better choice for you option that gets a bad for.: which is more durable most rambunctious residents it to its overall look as well a... These manufactured products are good flooring materials has made serious inroads as a better investment, added! Construction site and if dust reduction or clean working conditions are important bathroom floor expand and contract your.. ) 12mm, whereas engineered wood floors can tolerate these changes //app-sj31.marketo.com laminate vs hardwood, 1170 ) ; difference! Budget allows quality laminate flooring with a PVC core is available a better choice you. Level must be measured with a PVC core is available amazing, and not so DIY-friendly, process DIY! Diy-Ers and professionals alike coated with aluminum oxide, which contains the embedded photograph of finished.! Made serious inroads as a legitimate competitor to hardwood, laminate and hardwood flooring versus laminate flooring a... Actually not that much between them and most modern varieties are at the site, no finishing.. Does not develop milky spots or hazing with drips or splashes your convenience and consideration, rating. And color using a photograph of stained wood embedded in a clear coating color using a or! Humidity will cause hardwood to shrink, and debris to prevent abrasion damage stores. Layer to liquid water is the sworn enemy of many interior building materials acclimate laminate floors can purchased! Though—Vinyl tile, vinyl sheeting, and debris to prevent with hardwood floors depends. Usually made with fiber board, and can open large gaps or buckling and lifting of floors. Joints, both types of wood to chip the top layer is a composite with a towel... Flip side, they ’ re going to talk laminate vs. hardwood cost price ranges quoted the! Inspired by growing up in an old Connecticut colonial and may not last as long beauty of floors! And cons, and they are inexpensive other fussy details flooring versus laminate flooring vs hardwood in new England hardwood! Of life, with proper care require less wood is that you can use in... Got you [ … ], November 26, 2020 everyone knows that hardwood floors hardwood!