The Complete Guide to Laminate vs Engineered Wood Flooring

Left: © bradleyhebdon / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty images.
Right: © Tuomas Lehtinen / Moment / Getty images.

Is engineered hardwood the same as laminate? No, it’s not. While both are popular human-made flooring materials, there are significant differences. Engineered wood is topped with a veneer of real hardwood, so it’s hard to tell this flooring from solid hardwood. Laminate’s top layer is a printed photograph of wood so it doesn’t look as realistic, but it’s more affordable than engineered flooring and is available in a broader range of colors and prints.

Let’s explore the key differences between engineered hardwood and laminate.

On This Page

1. What’s the Difference Between Engineered Hardwood and Laminate?
   1. Engineered Hardwood
   2. Laminate
2. Engineered Hardwood vs. Laminate: Which is Better?
   1. Appearance
   2. Cost
   3. Maintenance
   4. Durability
   5. Installation/DIY
   6. Moisture
   7. Repair
   8. Environmental Impact
   9. Pets
   10. Radiant Heating
   11. Resale Value
3. Which is Best for Your Home?
   1. Bathroom Flooring
   2. Kitchen Flooring
   3. Livingroom Flooring
4. Engineered Wood vs. Laminate vs. Other Material Comparisons
   1. Hardwood
   2. Vinyl
5. Top Engineered Hardwood and Laminate Flooring Brands

What’s the Difference Between Engineered Hardwood and Laminate?

Both materials are composites. They are made of multiple layers compressed and adhered to one another. Due to their construction, engineered wood is closer in size and density to solid hardwood, while laminate is much thinner, with an average thickness of around 12 mm or 0.47 inches.

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood is comprised of multiple thin base layers of high-density fiberboard, plywood, or unfinished hardwood. A hardwood veneer of up to 1/8” adheres to the topmost layer, then each plank receives layers of stains and sealants. It isn’t as prone to warping or moisture damage as solid wood and, unlike laminate floors, homeowners can refinish engineered wood a few times.

Laminate

Laminate flooring isn’t entirely synthetic. It consists of a moisture-resistant, stabilizing base layer and a core of compressed layers of high-density fiberboard, often set in resin. A photographic layer sits on the top, and the planks receive a final coat of resin for added durability. The printed layer can look like wood, stone, tiles, pebbles or virtually anything else.

Because the top layer is only a print, laminate flooring isn’t a viable candidate for refinishing or repairing. Instead, you must replace each damaged plank.

Engineered Hardwood vs. Laminate: Which Is Better?

Laminate is Best for…	Engineered Wood is Best For…
Cost	Appearance
DIY Installation	Resale Value
Dog & Cat Owners	The Environment
Durability	Repairs
Maintenance	Moisture Resistance
Radiant Heating	Radiant Heating

Whichever room you’re installing flooring in, laminate and engineered flooring are both viable options, although each has characteristics that make it better suited to specific applications. Laminate, for example, is inexpensive, easy to clean and a good option for dog and cat owners. Engineered wood, on the other hand, is moisture-resistant, compatible with under-floor heating and can increase the resale value of a property.

Appearance

The Best Appearance: Hardwood

Appearance is a key factor in material choice. However much you’re investing, you want to love the final product.

Cost

Cheapest Initial Outlay: Laminate

Your initial outlay obviously influences your material choice. However, you should also account for ongoing costs. For example, laminate is cheaper per square foot initially, but engineered flooring can withstand several rounds of refinishing, whereas laminate must be replaced if it gets worn or damaged. Long-term, engineered planks are likely to be a better value.

Engineered Hardwood:

• Engineered Hardwood costs $3-$13 per square foot, not installed
• Price varies by type of wood

Laminate:

• Laminate costs $1-$5 per square foot, not installed
• The better the print layer, the higher the cost

Care and Maintenance

Easiest to Maintain: Laminate

You want a floor that’s easy to clean and care for on a daily basis. Luckily, both materials are reasonably easy to maintain with a bit of basic care.

Durability

The Winner in Toughness: Engineered Hardwood

Durability is a vital consideration. Even if you’re opting for budget materials, you want your floor to last and keep looking its best for as long as possible.

Installation and DIY

The Winner for Easy DIY Installation: Laminate

While DIY installation is possible, for the best results, opt for a professional. Take a look at the unique installation challenges of both materials.

Moisture Resistance

Best for Basements and Bathrooms: Engineered Wood

It’s not just kitchens and bathrooms—anywhere you might want to mop the floor or enjoy a beverage is at risk of moisture damage, so factor this in when making your decision.

Repair

Best for Ease of Repair: Engineered Wood

Your floors will inevitably take damage from claws, furniture, feet and more. Here’s how easy it is to repair each type.

Engineered Wood:

• Thick veneer can withstand multiple rounds of refinishing
• If veneer is less than 2mm thick, it is unsuitable for refinishing and requires replacement

Laminate:

• Quick to remove for replacement
• Cannot be refinished

Environmental Impact

The Greenest Option: Wood

While both are composite products, the construction process, sustainability and wider environmental impact are all increasingly important considerations for many homeowners.

Engineered Wood:

• Contains a high percentage of natural materials
• Veneer is sliced (not sawed), which produces less sawdust and waste
• Reuses plywood and fiberboard

Laminate:

• 85% of laminate flooring is recyclable
• Laminate is LEED Certified

Pets

The Winner for Pet Owners: Laminate

Pets: They’re cherished family members, but their claws and their antics can wreak havoc on your floors. Here are important floor considerations for your four-legged friends.

Engineered Wood:

• Engineered wood is loud when pet claws clatter across it
• If claws eventually damage it, engineered hardwood can be refinished

Laminate:

• Resists pet scratches
• Toilet accidents must be cleaned immediately to avoid moisture damage

Radiant Heating

Ideal for Radiant Heating: Engineered Wood

Radiant heating keeps your flooring fantastically warm to the touch and efficiently heats your home, but it isn’t suitable for all flooring types.

Engineered Wood:

• Most engineered wood is durable enough to withstand temperature change
• Always check with the manufacturer before purchasing
• Thinner planks work better with radiant heat

Laminate:

• Gapping may occur when heat is on
• Laminate flooring does not conduct heat efficiently
• Only specialized laminate is compatible

Resale Value

The Best Product for Your Home’s Value: Engineered Wood

While neither product will increase the resale value of your home as much as solid hardwood, new flooring definitely makes an impact.

Engineered Wood:

• 20+-year lifespan
• Has a classic appeal
• Can increase the value of a property almost as much as hardwood flooring

Laminate:

• A high-quality laminate can increase the value of a home slightly
• Poor quality laminate can bring down a home’s value

Which Is Best for Your Home?

Whether laminate or engineered hardwood is best for your home depends on what finish you’re looking for, your budget, and which rooms you’re planning to renovate.

Bathroom Flooring

For the bathroom, neither of these products are ideal as both are susceptible to water damage. Instead, choose something from the best bathroom flooring materials. If you absolutely must decide between engineered wood vs. laminate for the bathroom, go with engineered wood as the seams are less exposed and it’s overall more moisture-resistant than laminate.

Kitchen Flooring

Engineered wood is the better option in the kitchen because it adds more long-term value. It can also be refinished and, if you care for it properly, it stays beautiful for 20+ years.

Living Room Flooring

Engineered wood mimics hardwood so closely that it’s the best choice for your living space. This room is likely the biggest and most used space in your home, so you want a floor that adds beauty and character. If you’re on a budget and want to really enhance one room, this is where to put your money.

Engineered Wood vs. Laminate vs. Other Materials

Choose a type of flooring that enhances your home, fits your budget and is well-suited to your lifestyle and the room you’re remodeling. See how laminate and engineered wood stand up against other popular flooring products.

Vs. Hardwood

Hardwood costs more than laminate but is similar in price to engineered wood. This flooring can be refinished many times and often increases resale value more than laminate or engineered planks. They also have a longer lifespan if cared for properly.

Vs. Vinyl

Vinyl floors cost less than engineered wood but are on a par with laminate. Vinyl, like laminate, can look similar to wood but can also mimic other natural products, ceramic tiles or can have its own unique design that doesn’t look like anything else. Similar to laminate, vinyl won’t add long-term value to your property, but it is a good budget-friendly option.

Top Engineered and Laminate Flooring Brands

Top Laminate Brands	Top Engineered Flooring Brands
Shaw	Armstrong
Top	Anderson
Armstrong	Bruce
Pergo	Columbia
Bruce	Mohawk
Mohawk	Somerset

5 Comments

1. Sandy Downs, January 29:

   What are the differences between Laminate and vinyl laminate flooring?

2. Jennifer Margeson, February 6:

   You only use the name brand pergo as alternative name to vinyl and thats misleading and confusing. Pergo does engineered hard wood. I.e. the pergo max line. This misinformes people into believing all pergo in vinyl.

3. HomeAdvisor, February 6:

   Hi Sandy

   This Guide should provide you with more information on vinyl vs. laminate. https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/vinyl-vs-laminate-flooring/

4. Jacky L, April 20:

   Can you recommend a good cleaner for our hand-chiseled look engineered floor? Currently using the Bona mop and wood cleaner, but I don’t feel it does a good job. Also, it’s hard for me to use pressure pushing a mop with my arthritis. I’m considering the Bissell Crosswave system; any thoughts on this? Will a steam system be a good option? I’m not sure if our flooring is considered “sealed” or not – important to know when looking at cordless floor cleaning systems which I’m considering. Thank you

5. Richard Reynolds, April 26:

   Should Engineered Hardwood flooring be installed under a toilet. I an putting Engineered Hardwood in a small bathroom, we are replacing the toilet should the flooring go under the toilet?