Laminate And Hardwood Flooring Difference

For many folks that ends the laminate vs.

Laminate and hardwood flooring difference. Solid hardwood flooring can only be installed at or above grade while engineered hardwood can be installed below grade in basements. Homeadvisor s flooring guide explains the differences between laminate and engineered hardwood and reviews the pros and cons of each. Both floor coverings were developed as economical and versatile alternatives to that mainstay of flooring material solid hardwood flooring. One major difference is the subfloor requirements.

The boards usually 3 4 inch thick are generally milled with a smooth top surface and tongue and groove edges that interlock to hold the boards together. If your remodeling project or new construction calls for the look and feel of traditional hardwoods then your three main flooring options will be laminate hardwood and engineered wood floors. In the hands of a skilled installer vinyl sheet goods can be cut to form dazzling swirls and stripes. With proper care hardwood flooring is a better long term investment than laminate flooring but hardwood s upfront costs may deter homeowners.

Laminate flooring is almost always installed in a floating application with the planks fitting together in a tongue and groove style which makes a faster easier installation than hardwood. The winner of engineered hardwood vs. Laminate runs 1 to 7 per square foot depending on the quality. Both laminate flooring and engineered hardwood floors can be floated with a diy click and lock installation.

Even so the cost of hardwood varies drastically with some woods oak maple american cherry being fairly affordable and others exotic wood species. Both are strong durable floors that are less expensive than natural wood but laminate flooring typically costs less. Both materials mimic a natural wood floor beautifully but if you re all about natural beauty you might prefer the solid wood top of an engineered. Explore which is better for kitchens basements based on cost resale value durability and more.

Engineered hardwood debate right there. This is the only option of installation for a laminate floor however an engineered hardwood floor can also be installed with a glue down or nail staple option. Laminate flooring and engineered wood flooring are two obvious choices if you want a flooring that looks like solid hardwood but at a more affordable price. Laminate flooring generally is less expensive than engineered hardwood.

Solid hardwood flooring as the name suggests is comprised of flooring boards that are solid hardwood material through and through. Laminate flooring really depends. Cost of laminate vs. When it comes to the style difference between laminate and vinyl flooring vinyl edges out laminate by virtue of its array of colors and textures.