Hardwood Flooring: Engineered, Laminate, Or Solid?

Hardwood flooring installation is a popular choice that people opt to include in their homes. Solid wood has a premium feel to it that no other floor can replicate, but laminate is another popular material. Some people claim laminate wood flooring products are as good as, or even better than, solid wood. Then, engineered flooring products are also a valid option. Which one should you choose to install in your home?

Solid Wood Flooring

Solid wood boards have been used for hundreds of years due to their strength and durability. There are very few differences in the look and feel of laminate and solid wood floors. The differences are in how the wood can be finished, and there are a lot of options with solid hardwood floors. You have options like distressed finishes, layin features, and many other things that can be done with solid wood flooring products. In addition, the solid materials also add strength to your home and can easily be refinished or covered if you want to change the look of your flooring in the future.

Laminate Flooring

One example of laminated flooring material is parquet. This is a special type of wood flooring that is made through a process of laminating thin sheets of wood together. This reduces the natural defects and problems like checking. In addition to parquet, there are also thinner laminates that are used for flooring projects, which can be great if you are looking for affordable and durable materials. The laminated wood flooring is also manufactured with waterproof adhesives, which make it more resistant to issues with moisture damage that are common with some cheaper engineered flooring products.

Engineered Flooring

Modern flooring materials also include engineered products. These are often wood finishes, but they should not be confused with parquet, which is a laminated product. Engineered flooring can be wood, vinyl, and composites made out of recycled products. In addition, the engineered floor products also include wood alternatives like bamboo, or they can simulate the look of exotic hardwood materials. They have the advantage of being affordable and easy to install, which makes them a popular choice for new wood floors, but they can also be vulnerable to issues like moisture damage.

Figure out what type of floors you prefer, and then start looking for the right materials for your project. If you need a little help with the flooring decisions,  contact a hardwood flooring installation contractor to get the information you need and an estimate for your new floors.