What Makes Engineered Hardwood Flooring Better

What Makes Engineered Hardwood Flooring Better Than A Laminated Floor?

When having a house built, renovating a room, or buying a house, the bare essentials that a person needs to look at first and foremost are the walls and the floor. The material of the floor in particular, should be well thought of and long term use be considered. These include wear and tear, the sound it produces when walked on, and environmental concerns.

The trend today seems to be leaning towards wood flooringand for many great reasons. Wood flooring can give a room a warm ambiance, a classic look, traditional and inviting. Some people like the sound it give when it is walked on, which is more like a light ‘thud’ sound than a ‘clink’ sound compared to tiled floors. Now there are two ways to achieve the look of hardwood flooringand these require the use of either engineered hardwood flooringor wood laminate flooring. But what makes one better than the other?

Many people say that engineered hardwood flooringis better than laminate flooring and here are some reasons why.

1. It provides better functionality. An engineered floor usually has layers which allow for renovation of the surface element in case of damage. A laminated floor, when a slat is damaged, needs to be completely replaced and cannot be repaired.

2. A lot more durable. engineered hardwood flooringhas a higher level of resistance to the changing indoor conditions, particularly the weather changes.

3. Engineered wood gives a more natural look than laminate flooring. The difference can easily be identified and the sound when walked on will be different.

4. If concerned about the environmental effects, engineered hardwood floor emits less harmful substances. The only thing that one should probably consider as chemicals are the glue agents which are necessary to keep the slats together. However, it does not emit harmful substances the entire duration the floor is being used. It is rather a safe choice for children’s rooms.

The engineered type of flooringis ideally the better choice but it is also pricier. That is why some people choose the laminated type of flooring as an alternative because it is a lot less expensive. A laminated floor does have its advantages as well. It is easier to clean and comes in convenient packaging so it is easy to install. Plus, it has many choices because the laminate is able to simulate the look of various natural wood types. In the end, it all depends on a person’s budget and preference and both can be a good floor option.