If you’ve recently moved into a new home or are considering renovating, you might ask yourself this very common question: “How Do I tell if my floor is laminate flooring or engineered wood?”. Knowing the difference can impact your decision-making, especially if you’re considering wood floor restoration or general maintenance. Let’s explore how you can easily tell which type of floor you have, the key differences between the two, and why it matters for your home in Exning and surrounding areas.
Here are some stunning engineered wood floors that we have had the honour of restoring:
What is Engineered Wood?
They make engineered wood flooring of natural wood, but not in the way traditional hardwood is. It consists of multiple layers: a thin veneer of solid hardwood on top, with layers of plywood or other materials underneath. This construction gives engineered wood durability while keeping costs more manageable than solid hardwood.
Engineered wood floors are a popular choice among homeowners because they offer the beauty of natural wood without the price tag of solid wood flooring. Additionally, engineered wood floors tend to be more resistant to moisture & temperature changes… making them a great option for kitchens, bathrooms, or areas with varying humidity levels.
What is Laminate?
On the other hand, they did not make laminate flooring from wood at all. Instead, it is composed of several layers of synthetic materials that mimic what wood looks like. A high-resolution photograph of real wood is placed on top of these layers, and then sealed with a protective coating. While laminate might look convincing at first glance, it lacks the authenticity and depth of real wood.
One of the biggest differences between laminate wood floors and engineered wood is that you cannot restore laminate. Once it becomes worn, scratched, or damaged, your only option is to replace it. This is because laminate lacks a top layer of natural wood that you can sand down, unlike engineered wood, which you can refinish to breathe new life into it.
Why It’s Important to Know the Difference Between Engineered Wood and Laminate
Identifying whether your floor is engineered wood or laminate is crucial, especially if you’re thinking about wood floor restoration. Because of its thin top layer of natural wood, you can sand & refinish engineered wood. This process can restore your floors to their original beauty and extend their lifespan. However, there are limitations—you can only sand down engineered wood a limited number of times, depending on the thickness of the top layer.
On the other hand, you can’t restore laminate. Once the surface is damaged, scratched, or worn out, you’ll have to replace it. This makes laminate a less durable option in the long run if you’re hoping for a floor that can be refreshed and revived over time.
How to Tell If Your Floor is Engineered Wood or Laminate
If you’re unsure what type of flooring you have, here are a few ways to help you determine whether you have engineered wood or laminate wood floors:
1. Look at the Grain and Texture
- Engineered wood will have a natural grain and texture. Because each plank is unique and made from natural wood, you might see inconsistencies in the wood pattern.
- Laminate, by contrast, tends to have a more uniform appearance, and the texture may feel artificial. The grain is often repetitive since it’s a printed photograph of wood.
2. Check the Edges
- With engineered wood, you’ll often notice that the planks have a bevelled edge where the boards meet.
- Laminate tends to have a flatter, more precise edge.
3. The Sound of Walking
- Engineered wood has a more natural sound when you walk across it. You might hear a soft creak or a solid thud, similar to walking on hardwood.
- Laminate can have a hollow sound when walking on, especially if installed without proper underlay.
4. The Feel of the Floor
- Due to its real wood top layer, engineered wood will feel slightly warmer underfoot than laminate.
- Laminate floors can feel cooler and have a harder, plastic-like surface in comparison.
Why You Can’t Restore Laminate Flooring
One of the key limitations of laminate wood floors is that you can’t restore them. Since laminate is essentially a photograph of wood encased in a protective layer, it has no real wood surface to sand down or refinish. If laminate gets damaged, scratched, or worn out, replacing the affected planks or the entire floor is the only option.
In contrast, you can restore engineered wood floors through sanding and refinishing. You can sand down the top layer of natural wood to remove scratches, stains, or imperfections. After sanding, you can apply the finish of your choice, making the floor look brand new again. However, keep in mind that you can only refinish engineered wood floors a few times. How many time will depend on the thickness of the top wood layer.
What’s best for your home, engineered wood or laminate?
Understanding the difference between engineered wood and laminate wood floors is essential, especially when deciding on maintenance or potential restoration. For homeowners in Exning, choosing engineered wood floors offers the beauty of natural wood combined with the ability to restore and refinish them. Laminate, while often more budget-friendly upfront, doesn’t offer the same durability or restorative options.
If you’re unsure what type of flooring you have or need advice on wood floor restoration, it’s always a good idea to consult with a flooring specialist who can help guide you in making the best decision for your home.
