laminate vs. hardwood and engineered flooring

If you want a wood-based floor, you have four main choices: 1) Old solid hardwood flooring; 2) Laminate flooring; 3) Engineered flooring and… 4) Recycled wood flooring…

All options have pros and cons, and involve pre-conditions and preferences you should take into account. This page compares hardwood flooring and laminate flooring. Laminate Sample

Image credit: European Producers of Laminate Flooring: EPLF

The Hardwood flooring option

Hardwood is the old solid wood, in its more natural state. And hardwood is a renewable material… as long as it is harvested from sustainably managed forests – which doesn’t happens as much as it should. Prefer FSE certified wood to be sure that the wood flooring comes from sustainable sources.

The laminate flooring option

Laminate flooring was developed in the 80's, and is experiencing a growing success and acceptance. It looks like wood, but it isn’t authentic wood: its core (technically named HDF and MDF) is made from wood fibers, agricultural sub-products, and resins, cured under pressure and heat. Its surface and backing layers are literally paper printed with pigments (incorporating a photocopy of a wood pattern) and resins.

Hardwoods vs. Laminate floorings & Environment

Many laminate flooring incorporate a large percentage of renewable resource products - mainly cellulose-based ones, which is environmentally-friendly. On the other hand, many laminate also have very low VOC emission levels and do not use formaldehyde, which is also positive for our health.

Obviously, the hardwood option doesn’t address the issue of unhealthy chemicals (VOCs and formaldehyde…), contrarily to many laminates. Unfortunately, many hardwoods come from non-sustainable forests, and flooring involves a lot of wood...

Pros of laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is a cheap option and can be installed in moist environments as those of basements or bathrooms. Besides, the best laminates are very resilient to scratches and denting.

Cons of laminate flooring

Laminate flooring do not support sanding, which means a much lower lifespan than hardwood flooring. Due to its durability, hardwood floors are much more considered, increasing the value of your home.

Some laminated products have formaldehyde and other VOC chemicals.

Pros of wood flooring

True hardwood involves a special appeal and warmth, but its greatest advantage is on the possibility of being re-sanded several times, opening the way to large lifespans.

Cons of wood flooring

Wood flooring should not be installed in moist areas such as bathrooms, basements or even kitchens, and are more expensive than laminated flooring.

Environmentally, whenever the wood comes from non-managed forests, hardwood flooring is a cause of deforestation and climate change. Prefer FSC certified wood to overcome this disadvantage.

Maintenance and durability

Laminates resistance to stress and use may differ a lot. The Europeans have a rating system called AC, for several lines of laminate, which unfortunately doesn’t exist in USA, Canada and most countries…

Above: EPLF symbols; respectively:

AC1: laminate flooring for residential moderate traffic (bedrooms…);
AC2: laminate flooring for residential moderate traffic (living rooms, dining rooms) and…
AC3: laminate flooring for residential heavy traffic.

Laminate and Hardwood Flooring Installation

Laminate flooring can be placed on top of existing floor, cement etc. and the glue-free option of tongue-and-groove systems is common, which turns the installation particularly easy. Un-installation is also extremely easy and possible, and it will not damage laminate or the possible flooring underneath.

Hardwood flooring must be nailed to an underneath wooden sub-floor. It cannot be installed straight on the top of an existing floor or on the concrete. And since installation requires nailing, the do-it-yourself option isn’t very feasible. Unless you are very skillful, it’s better to hire a floor installer.

Prices

Laminate flooring is much cheaper than hardwood flooring. Prices between $1.50 per sq. ft. to $3 per sq. ft are common, while hardwood prices range the $4 to $8 or more.

Choosing Hardwoods

If your option is hardwood flooring, do not forget to…

- … choose FSC certified woods
- … prefer local wood sources whenever possible: they have a much lower embodied energy consumption.
- … not use hardwoods in bathrooms, basements and other rooms with topically moist…
- … think about the bamboo flooring option (it’s particularly durable, resistant and usually a sustainable and environmental option);
- … think about recycled woods.

Choosing laminate floorings

If your option is laminate flooring, you should reject products with formaldehyde and look for products with low VOC emission levels. Look also for environmentally-friendly sealers.