Hardwood, Engineered Wood and Laminate Flooring Comparison: What’s the Difference?

Before we dive into it, any ideas on what type of flooring is pictured above?  If you guessed engineered wood you’re correct!  The image above is bamboo wood engineered flooring.

A flooring comparison is always helpful when selecting new flooring.  Your floors  is one of the most impactful decisions you can make in your home. It affects not only the look of your space, but durability, maintenance, comfort, and long-term value.

When you’re considering your flooring options and diving into a flooring comparison for your lifestyle and home, who better to ask about durability and maintenance than the company who will help you care for it?  As a leading local steam cleaning company, Carter’s Carpet Restoration has seen it all.  The team knows what flooring holds up to heavy traffic, pets, spills and children . . . and what doesn’t.

Many Carter customers in El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Granite Bay, and surrounding areas ask us for input prior to having new flooring installed.  When presented with countless options with flooring comparison, many people find themselves asking:

“What’s the real difference between hardwood, engineered wood and laminate?”

Let’s break it down clearly and simply.

1. Solid Hardwood Flooring

If you’re looking for long-term value, natural beauty, and traditional luxury then hardwood may be the option for you.  Classic wood floors provide a warmth and timeless feel.  Solid hardwood is exactly what it sounds like — planks milled from a single piece of real wood.  The wood it sanded, stained, installed and then coated with some type of protective coating like polyurethane, varnish or wax that shield against wear, spills, and scratches, The coating is chosen based on desired sheen (satin, matte, gloss) and for general durability.

For this flooring comparison, hardwood will fall into the higher priced category with decent durability and sensitivity to moisture.  It’s a lifetime floor that will add quality, character and warmth to your home.  You likely won’t be replacing it anytime soon, but a refinish can certainly be an option.

Pros:

  • 100% natural material

  • Can be sanded and refinished multiple times

  • Increases home value

  • Timeless, high-end appearance

Cons:

  • Sensitive to moisture and humidity

  • Can warp or cup if exposed to water

  • Higher installation cost

In areas like El Dorado Hills, where we experience seasonal shifts in humidity, proper maintenance and professional cleaning are essential to protect your investment.  Generally speaking, hardwood should not be steam cleaned.  Carter’s offers a low-moisture, wood floor cleaning method and an option for protective finish.

2. Engineered Wood Flooring

Next on the flooring comparison list is engineered wood.  This flooring consists of a high quality wood veneer top layer.  The top layer of real wood is bonded to layers of plywood or other core material that provides a stable, durable and more moisture resistant alternative to solid hardwood.  Basically, engineered wood gives the look of hardwood with improved stability.  It also offers a lower price point than most hardwoods.  While engineered wood flooring is generally more moisture resistant than solid wood, it is not waterproof and prolonged exposure to moisture or water will cause damage.

Pros:

  • Real wood surface

  • More resistant to moisture than solid hardwood

  • More stable in changing climates

  • Often lower cost than solid hardwood

Cons:

  • Can only be refinished a limited number of times

  • Quality varies widely depending on thickness of veneer

Many homeowners in Folsom and Granite Bay choose engineered wood because it offers elegance with added structural stability.  The price point for engineered wood floor is less than a true hardwood.  Like hardwood, engineered wood can be professional cleaned with a low moisture cleaning.  This is often necessary as the surface of the wood has natural texture and soil, dust, and oils can build up in these small dents and texture changes.  Keep in mind that engineered wood can not be refinished while you’re doing your flooring comparison.

3. Laminate Flooring

Last on the list for this flooring comparison is Laminate flooring.  This is a durable and budget-friendly flooring option.  It is designed to be installed as a “click and lock” product, making it a great option for DIY homeowners.  The flooring itself is comprised of multiple layers and designed to mimic the look of wood or stone.  The top layer resists stains, scratches and fading.  It is ideal for high traffic areas.  While it is a very durable option, it can make the space feel cold and loud.

Pros:

  • Affordable

  • Scratch-resistant surface

  • Easy installation

Cons:

  • Not waterproof (unless specifically labeled)

  • Cannot be refinished

  • Can swell if exposed to moisture

Laminate has improved significantly over the years, but it does not contain real wood on the surface.  Proper low-moisture cleaning is critical as excess water can cause permanent swelling at the seams.

Start Your Flooring Comparison

Research is the best way to start your flooring comparison journey.  Three primary things to consider are:

  • Budget – What you have to spend is typically the driving force behind flooring choice.  Set a budget and start comparing options within your price range.
  • Use – How will your space be used and by who?  The amount of traffic and wear greatly impacts the life of your flooring.  Plan accordingly.
  • Aesthetic – How do you want your space to look and feel?  If possible, visit similar spaces with your potential flooring already installed – listen to sound in the space, walk barefoot, notice wear and soil patterns.

Shaw is a well respected manufacturer of flooring surfaces.  Their website has a nice inspiration section to explore flooring types and pricing.  Mohawk is another quality producer of flooring surfaces.  They too have a discovery page on their site that is worth checking out as you look into flooring comparison.

Professional Floor Cleaning Matters

No matter which flooring type you choose, proper maintenance and cleaning can help you enjoy your floors and make sure you get the most life out of them.  Professional steam cleaning companies have knowledge that you may not be aware of.  For example, they have access to specific cleaning products designed for your floors.  Did you know that when it comes to hardwood, engineered wood and laminate you need to be cleaning with a product that has a high alcohol content to aide in dry time.  Additionally, a professional cleaner has equipment that is much stronger than a home steamer, pulling significantly more moisture out during the cleaning process to ensure moisture damage does not occur.

Common homeowner mistakes include:

  • Using too much water

  • Steam cleaning wood floors

  • Using harsh or oily cleaner

  • Ignoring protective sealants

At Carter’s Carpet Restoration, we’re so much more than just carpet cleaning.  Carter’s has been cleaning nearly all flooring types for over 35 years and has the experience and education to get the job done right.  We tailor our cleaning process to your exact flooring type — whether it’s solid hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, or even LVP cleaning.  Protecting your floors isn’t just about appearance, it’s about preserving the investment in your home.  Ultimately, the company who is going to help you maintain your floors may be a good resource for you in your flooring comparison journey.  Carter’s has seen how these three surfaces age in different environments.  If you have questions about how new flooring will wear in your home, reach out.  We’re happy to answer questions and offer suggestions about all flooring types.

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