Remodeling Your Home? Tips For Selecting Between Engineered And Laminate Wood Flooring
Are you in the process of remodeling your home, but debating between using engineered or laminate wood flooring material? If so, it will help to know the key differences between these two products.
Cost
You can't beat the cost of installing laminate flooring material in your home. It's an incredibly affordable option that will be sure to fit into your budget and give your flooring the look you want. Engineered hardwood is not as expensive as solid hardwood, but falls in the middle between that and laminate flooring material.
Construction
When you have engineered hardwood in your home, other people may not be able to tell that it is not solid hardwood material. That's due to the planks having a top layer of material that is real wood, so nobody is able to see what is underneath. Meanwhile, laminate flooring has a top layer that is a print designed to simulate the look of hardwood, with it not being made out of real wood. You have the option to customize laminate flooring with whatever color or pattern that you want, but it won't be the real deal.
Moisture Resistance
One of the big differences is how each flooring material reacts to moisture. You'll find that engineered hardwood is more susceptible to moisture damage, while laminate flooring can be more resistant. It really depends on the type of laminate flooring you get, but there are even variations of laminate flooring that are waterproof and work great for basements.
Durability
The top layer of laminate flooring material is very resistant to scratches and regular wear and tear that your floors will see. Engineered hardwood is going to scratch easier than its counterpart, but you do have the option to sand engineered hardwood if it starts to look bad. This can give the wood a fresh look that makes it appear like new flooring once again.
Resale Value
If you plan on selling your home soon, know that engineered hardwood is going to increase the home's resale value, since it will be seen as a feature that is desirable. Laminate flooring won't have as high of a resale value, especially if it is a cheaper material. Keep in mind that there are premium forms of laminate flooring that you can have installed, which will show better to potential buyers.
Have you decided on the type of flooring you want for your home? Reach out to a local home remodeling contractor for assistance.