Engineered Hardwood Vs Laminate Flooring - Which One Is Better?Laminate floors are a multi-layered synthetic floor covering product typically fused together with a laminate lamination procedure. Laminate floors actually mimic hardwood with a protective outer coating and a photographic applix layer beneath an elastic protective coating. The middle core layer most often consists of high-density fiberboard and melamine resins. This composite material is highly resistant to moisture, stains, and wear. There are several different kinds of laminate products to choose from. Learn more about best laminate floors, go here. If you're planning to replace your original hardwood subfloor, then you have a few options when it comes to laminate floors installation. If the subfloor is in decent condition and has not been damaged in any way, then a standard plywood subfloor may be a suitable replacement. Unfortunately if the subfloor has undergone any damage or warping then your best bet is to go with laminate floors. For more moisture resistance, then there are two types of installation you can choose from - floating and fixed. A floating floor system involves connecting the laminate floors to each other with tongue-and-groove mounting system. This provides an extremely waterproof floor that is also very soundproof. To ensure the maximum amount of moisture resistance, the floor must also be sealed between each of the planks using an extra sealant or moisture barrier. Fixed floor systems are installed by gluing each plank to the floor joists with wide-splice glue. Once installed, a waterproof wear layer of silicone caulk is used to protect the boards from moisture and wear. However, this type of system does require more effort when installing laminate floors since the boards need to be nailed each plank to the floor joists using stainless steel screws. On top of that you would have to apply and install a silicone wear layer between each of the planks. It is important to know how to select the right engineered hardwood vs. laminate floors for the specific room that you will install them in. The moisture absorption level is very important and the type of subfloor that is used is also very important. Certain engineered floorings require no extra sealant or moisture barrier, but they are more susceptible to scratches. For example engineered hardwood floors that are engineered with slip-resistant rubber on the underlayment requires a greater care and attention when caring for it. You need to check for any scratches that may be caused by furniture such as couches, sofas, or other items on the floor. Take a look at this link https://www.wikihow.com/Lay-Laminate-Flooring for more information. Laminate floors are not as susceptible to scratches and therefore do not require the same level of maintenance. However, you still need to consider installing a moisture barrier between the floor and the subfloor. This will help in preventing any moisture from reaching the engineered hardwood underneath, which is beneficial in case of any liquid spills. This can also help in protecting your floors from any impact and stains that may occur. |