Is Engineered Wood Safer Than Laminate

The engineered wood floors can be periodically sanded to erase scratches and to recondition the wood grain.

Is engineered wood safer than laminate.

Both laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are usually less expensive than natural hardwood engineered wood and many types of ceramic or porcelain tile. Generally speaking engineered hardwood offers greater resale value to a home than does laminate flooring. The major difference between laminates and engineered hardwood durability will be the surface durability. Engineered wood may even rival solid hardwood for prestige though knowledgeable home buyers will recognize that it does not have the longevity that solid hardwood does.

Engineered wood is thicker and will not flex like laminate may. Engineered wood flooring has a similar construction as laminate except the top decorative layer is a thick veneer of real wood protected by a coating of a clear acrylic. Engineered wood contains a slice of natural wood on top while laminate uses a photographic layer that is coated with a protective layer. Since engineered hardwoods have a real hardwood veneer they are more susceptible to surface scratches dents and expansion.

Unlike inexpensive laminate engineered wood has not shown any negative health effects. Engineered hardwood debate right there. Comparing to other wood flooring products the engineered flooring is a better choice. Engineered wood flooring has the advantage over solid wood that its stable structure means that it is much more resistant to expansion and contraction than solid wood.

What is engineered hardwood flooring. What this means is that it can safely be fitted in rooms where temperature and moisture fluctuations are significant like bathrooms and kitchens. Still it is harder under the foot and can pose a fall hazard. It is true that engineered flooring can be more costly than laminate flooring but provides a better investment value over the long run.

Cheaper versions have 1 4 inch cores and the photo reproductions may not be as realistic as more expensive versions. Laminate flooring generally is less expensive than engineered hardwood. Best for resale value. On the whole a good laminate floor will be more durable than its engineered wood counterpart.

The natural top layer makes engineered wood just as durable as traditional hardwood and provides the same classic timeless look. Laminate is also much thinner than engineered wood averaging around 12mm whereas engineered wood tends to be thicker like hardwoods. However most of these floors with come with a protective top layer to help protect against wear. Engineered wood flooring can also be installed over under floor heating.

Your professional installer will also apply a protective coat that makes it difficult for moisture to enter. Laminates tend to be more scratch and impact resistant remember that engineered wood durability will depend on the hardness of the species of the wood wear layer so maple is more dent resistant than pine and the number of protective finishes.