While many hardwood floors are nailed or glued down, both laminate and engineered hardwood can be installed as floating floors, so we’re not talking about ease, and the variety of installation types wouldn’t necessarily boost hardwood here. Laminate floors, on the other hand, are the result of bonding various composite materials and melamine resin at high temperatures and pressure – so the floor itself is far from being organic. Real wood is characterized by tremendous texture variation of the wood grain, which is why no two planks of hardwood flooring, whether solid or engineered, appear exactly alike. Although in appearance some high quality laminate floors may look like real wood, repetition is unavoidable, as uniqueness of an authentic wood is impossible to replicate. Each type of hardwood has one installation method, as does each type of laminate, and while rare, there are other methods of laminate installation as well. Above grade, engineered hardwood can be glued to a concrete subfloor, which is not an option with solid, and since it can go over any very flat surface, it can be installed over some existing vinyl and tile. For this reason, solid and engineered hardwood floors should be installed in interiors where humidity levels are monitored and kept at 45-55% for solid and 45-65% for engineered floors. Improper care practices usually void all manufacturer issued warranties. In essence, while solid or engineered hardwood flooring is manufactured from real wood and preserves the unique textured grain and appearance of natural wood, laminate flooring is only an imitation. Once scratched or chipped, laminate flooring surfaces will show the damage. Laminate needs to be swept, and very occasionally damp mopped. July 14, 2020. For value, laminate will give you a little boost over carpeting, but genuine hardwood flooring is the most reliable value adder. Whether solid or engineered, hardwood flooring is significantly easier to repair than laminate. In a direct comparison parquet or laminate, however, wood as an original cuts better off. Connect with me on W. David Lichty's Google+, Something to always be conscious about with hardwood flooring and laminate is the maintenance of it. Cost savings are one of the biggest factors people choose laminate over hardwood. It is estimated that on average, a laminate floor will need to be replaced after no more than 20 years. In my spare time I shoot and edit video, explore film history, mix music (as in ‘play with Beatles multi-tracks’) and write non-fiction for my friends. Hardwood flooring will usually need regular attention to its finish, whether via oiling, waxing or sanding and refinishing. Winner: Laminate flooring, easy. Whether you are replacing existing flooring or on the hunt for the perfect floors in a new home, the choices can seem overwhelming. For this reason, identical patterns are repeated on average every 5 boards. Hardwood flooring remains one of the most popular choices because it is a naturally attractive, beautiful, and timeless material. For many folks, that ends the laminate vs. engineered hardwood debate right there. While we at Floors To Your Home don’t recommend it, some will sand and refinish their engineered flooring, but the number of times is limited based on how thick the top layer is. Solid hardwood flooring planks are produced from single pieces of wood, can be purchased unfinished or prefinished. On some types of hardwood floors, such as those with wire brushed and oiled finishes, minor surface dents and scratches seamlessly blend in with the existing look, emphasizing the unique appearance and depth of wood texture. Also, while wide in variety, the only looks available with laminate flooring are those determined by the manufacturer. 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