ENGINEERED HARDWOOD VS LAMINATE FLOORING

What is laminate flooring.

Laminate flooring is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product fused together with a lamination process. Laminate flooring simulates wood (or sometimes stone) with a photographic appliqué layer under a clear protective layer. The inner core layer is usually composed of melamine resin and fiber board materials.

The biggest advantage of laminate flooring is its toughness and durability. Irrespective of the amount of foot traffic, today’s types of laminates can stand all the wear and tear without any scratch. In addition, laminate flooring is also resistant to stains and impacts.

One of the biggest assets of the laminate flooring is its resemblance to real wood. The texture and colour of the laminate flooring is of such high resolution that it is difficult to differentiate whether it is real wood or laminate.

Other benefits of laminate flooring.

• The way laminate flooring is made makes it less expensive than other types of flooring. The price benefits of laminate flooring give you a realistic hardwood or tile look, without breaking the bank.
• The materials are engineered to give lasting durability and strength.
• Laminate is made out of wood, which means that it can be recycled. But, it can also be reused! If you want to change up your design, you can uninstall your laminate flooring without much waste and reinstall it in a new room or home! 

So how do you choose what type of flooring to use? Here are a few facts to consider when deciding on which type of flooring to use:

• Both are durable flooring options, but engineered hardwood requires more maintenance.
• Laminate flooring is more affordable than engineered hardwood.
• Engineered hardwood is better for resale value.
• Laminate is best for DIY installation.
• Both flooring options are better at water resistance than traditional hardwood. 
• Engineered hardwood floors are easier to repair.
• Laminate floors are better for pet owners.