Month: February 2025

If you’ve got your heart set on a floor that looks like real wood, you might want to compare engineered wood flooring vs laminate flooring. Both options are durable and boast the grains, knots and colour variation of real oak. However, each floor has its differences when it comes to ease of installation, water-resistance, scratch-resistance and cost.
In this blog, we detail the pros and cons of engineered wood flooring and laminate flooring and what each delivers when it comes to durability, maintenance, room suitability and more. So, let’s dive in!

What’s The Difference Between Laminate and Engineered Wood Flooring?

When thinking about engineered wood flooring vs laminate there are a few key differences to consider.

Engineered wood flooring is constructed from either softwood, plywood or HDF (high-density fibreboard) which creates a strong, sturdy base. The base is then topped with a thin veneer of real oak. This multi-layered construction means engineered wood boasts all the beauty of solid wood but with a much lower price tag!

Engineered wood flooring is finished with either an oil or a lacquer. An oiled finish provides a beautiful, natural look but minimal water-resistance as it sinks into the wood. A lacquered finish creates a water-resistant barrier on the surface of the wood which provides a glossy sheen.

Laminate flooring is made from a base of HDF which ensures the floor is durable enough to withstand any knocks and bumps. The base is also given a high-performance backing layer to prevent the floor from warping. 

Once the base is complete, a photographic layer is added on top to create the illusion of a wood or stone floor. The laminate is protected by a transparent, scratch-resistant and water-resistant coating. 

With all the durability of a water-resistant floor and the aesthetic of wood or stone, laminate is a fantastic alternative to real oak or slate and costs a fraction of the price!

Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring

There are lots of reasons to choose laminate flooring – it’s affordable, easy to clean and durable enough to handle daily life. But that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for you. Read on for the pros and cons of laminate flooring.

Benefits of Laminate Flooring

• Affordability – Laminate is one of the most affordable floors available, making it ideal if you want a lovely new floor but you have a tight budget. 
• Easy to install – Most laminate floors are fitted with a handy click-fit system, allowing you to simply ‘click’ the boards into place like a jigsaw.
• Easy to maintain – Laminate doesn’t need much maintenance to keep it looking clean and fresh. A quick sweep and a weekly mop will do the job!
• Durability – Laminate is extremely hardwearing, making it perfect if you’ve got kids or pets at home.
• Water-resistance – Laminate is water-resistant, so it’s ideal for areas like the kitchen or dining room, where spills are likely.
• Range of designs – Laminate is available in a variety of styles and colours, so you’ll find a floor to suit any decor.
• Looks like real wood or stone – Laminate is a brilliant alternative if you love the look of natural materials like oak or slate but your budget won’t stretch to the real thing.
• Underfloor heating compatible – Underfloor heating works wonderfully under laminate, so you’ll stay toasty, whatever the weather!

Disadvantages of Laminate Flooring

• Can’t sand and refinish – Unlike wood flooring, laminate can’t be sanded and refinished when signs of age appear. This means that when your floor starts to look worn, you’ll need to replace it.
• Thinner than other floors – Laminate flooring ranges from between 6-12mm thick which means it’s often thinner than other floors like solid and engineered wood.
• Shorter lifespan than other floors –  As laminate can’t be refinished it may not last as long as a solid or engineered wood floor.
• Not a natural product – Unlike solid wood, laminate flooring is manmade, so it might not be ideal if your heart is set on natural materials.

Pros and Cons of Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered Wood flooring boasts all the beauty and character of real oak, costs less than solid wood and lasts for decades. That said, it might not be the ideal choice for your home. Let’s look at the pros and cons of engineered wood flooring.

Benefits of Engineered Wood Flooring

• Affordability – Engineered wood has the same natural look and feel as solid wood but comes with a slightly lower price tag. This means it’s a great choice if you want a real wood floor but you’re working with a smaller budget.
• Durability – Engineered wood is extremely durable and unlike solid wood it can resist changes to moisture and humidity. This means you can use it for areas where solid wood isn’t ideal, like the kitchen, conservatory or summer house.
• Long lifespan – Engineered wood can be sanded and refinished when it starts showing signs of age. As a result, engineered wood lasts longer than LVT and laminate flooring, usually 30+ years.
• Natural materials – Unlike wood effect LVT and laminate flooring, engineered wood contains natural wood, making it ideal if you prefer real materials to man-made ones. 
• Range of options – Engineered wood is available in a range of colours, from natural wood shades to white and grey. You can also choose from a variety of styles, so whether you love the look of straight plank, herringbone, chevron or versailles, you’ll find a gorgeous floor you’ll adore.
• Underfloor heating compatible – Unlike solid wood, engineered wood flooring can be fitted over underfloor heating, so you’ll never worry about cold feet again! 

Disadvantages of Engineered Wood Flooring

• Not always water-resistant – Unlike LVT and laminate flooring, engineered wood isn’t always resistant to water. If you choose a lacquered finish, the lacquer will protect against splashes and spills. However, you won’t get the same water-resistance with an oiled engineered wood floor.  
• Not scratch-resistant – Engineered wood isn’t as resistant to scratches as some LVT and laminate floors are, so it’s not always best if you have pets at home. But, if you’re sold on an engineered wood floor, a brushed floor is a great alternative, as the textured effect will disguise scratches. Be sure to opt for an oiled finish, as lacquer will highlight any scratches!
• Shorter lifespan than solid wood –  Engineered wood can last for more than 30 years. However, solid wood has a much longer lifespan and can usually be sanded and refinished more times than engineered wood. 
• Takes time to install – As long as you’ve done your research and prep, there’s no reason you can’t install your own engineered wood floor. But whether you’re DIY-ing it or you’ve hired a professional, it’s worth noting it will take longer to fit than laminate or LVT flooring. 
• Not the cheapest option – While engineered wood flooring is more affordable than solid wood, it still costs a bit more than LVT and laminate flooring. If your renovation budget is tight, engineered wood might not be ideal.

Durability and Maintenance

If you’re weighing up engineered wood flooring versus laminate, you might be wondering how the two compare on durability. Here, we break down everything you need to know. 

Laminate is extremely durable which makes it ideal for homes with kids and pets. Its water-resistant surface means a dropped sippy cup or your dog’s post-shower shake-off can be cleaned up quickly, leaving your floor good as new. Check out our guide to maintaining laminate flooring for our top tips! 

Laminate is also scratch-resistant, so anything from a case of dog ‘zoomies’ to your little one’s toy car races won’t leave a lasting mark. 

The one thing to keep in mind about laminate is that while it’s not easy to damage it, once any damage is done, you’ll need to replace the affected boards. 

Engineered wood is hardwearing but doesn’t offer the scratch-resistance or water-resistance that laminate does, so it’s important to consider this if you have kids or four-legged friends. 

If you want a wood floor but you know scratches will be inevitable, go for a brushed and oiled floor to make sure any marks are hidden by the texture of the brushed wood. If you’re sold on real wood but need protection from splashes and spills, a lacquered engineered wood floor is the one for you. 
The good thing about choosing engineered wood flooring is that it can be sanded and refinished if any damage occurs, so you won’t have to replace any planks or worry about replacing your whole floor. But, before you try that, remember to read our guide to removing stains from engineered wood flooring!

Cost Comparison

Cost is another factor in the engineered wood flooring vs laminate comparison.

Laminate flooring costs less to make than wood and LVT, making it the most affordable flooring option on the market. Prices for our laminate floors start from just £12.99m². Laminate is also easier and quicker to install than engineered wood, which means you can fit it yourself and save on installation fees. 

Engineered wood is more expensive to produce than laminate flooring, so naturally it costs a bit more. Our engineered wood floors start from £25.99m², although you might be able to snap one up for less in one of our sales! Keep in mind that fitting engineered wood can be time-consuming, so if you’re planning to hire a professional fitter, you’ll need to budget for labour costs too.

Suitability for Different Rooms

Being water-safe and scratch-resistant, laminate is suitable for all kinds of rooms, including areas where spills are likely and where temperatures and humidity fluctuate, such as your kitchen or conservatory. However, it’s not completely waterproof, so we don’t recommend installing it in bathrooms. 

Engineered wood’s hardwearing nature makes it ideal for areas with lots of people coming and going, like living rooms and hallways. However, it’s not designed to cope with lots of moisture, so avoid moisture-prone areas like the bathroom. And remember, if you want to fit engineered wood in your dining room or kitchen, be sure to choose a lacquered finish to protect your floor from splashes and spills.

Which Is the Most Realistic?

When comparing engineered wood flooring vs laminate for authenticity, engineered wood comes out on top. The real oak layer boasts the unrivalled beauty of wood, giving your floor the look and feel of solid oak. 
Laminate has come a long way since the 80s and no longer has a reputation for looking cheap or fake. Wood effect laminate does a great job of mimicking the patterns and colours of real oak, while embossing creates texture. That said, nothing can match the awe-inspiring beauty of a real wood floor.

Underfloor Heating Compatibility

If you’re wondering about underfloor heating in the engineered wood flooring vs laminate comparison, we have good news! Both engineered wood and laminate flooring can be used with underfloor heating. 

If you’re choosing laminate flooring, you’ll need a thermal foam underlay with a fairly low TOG rating. The higher the TOG rating, the more insulation your underlay will have and while insulation is great for keeping heat in, if you’re using it with underfloor heating it needs to be thin enough for the heat to escape your floor!
Read our blog to find out more about using engineered wood flooring with underfloor heating.

Which Flooring Is Best for Pet Owners?

If you’ve got a furry friend or two at home you’ll be wondering how each floor stacks up in the engineered wood flooring versus laminate debate. 

Spills, scratches and little accidents are inevitable with animals, especially puppies and kittens who aren’t fully toilet-trained! Laminate is not only scratch-safe and water-resistant, it’s quick and easy to clean too, making it ideal for pet owners. Laminate is also extremely affordable, so if your pet does manage to do some damage, replacing the affected boards won’t hit your bank balance hard. 

Engineered wood doesn’t offer the same durability as laminate, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of the question for pet owners. If you’re worried about accidents and spills, we recommend choosing a lacquered floor. Lacquered wood is water-resistant and you’ll find it easier to clean than an oiled wood floor. 

If your concern is scratches, opt for a brushed and oiled engineered wood floor. The brushed effect creates a textured look that’s perfect for hiding scratches. Just keep in mind that an oiled floor won’t be water-resistant, so you’ll need to act fast if there’s a spill!

Top tips for protecting your floor from pets:

• If choosing a floor that’s not scratch-resistant, use rugs or runners to protect your floor.
• Trim your pets’ claws regularly to prevent scratches.
• Put mats under food and water bowls to reduce the risk of stains when anything spills.

Which Is Better for You?

As you can see, when looking at engineered wood flooring versus laminate there are pros and cons to each option. What’s best for you will depend on your lifestyle, your household and your personal preference!

If you’re after an affordable floor that’s easy to clean and maintain and offers lots of durability, laminate flooring is the one for you. 

If you’re not on a tight budget and want an authentic-looking wood floor that’s designed to last decades, engineered wood will be a great choice. 

Whichever floor you choose, be sure to take advantage of our unlimited free samples. You can order as many as you like until you find your perfect match! 

Get Social

Still not sure which floor to choose? Get in touch with our friendly flooring experts, they’re always happy to help.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and TikTok for all the latest news, blog posts and handy tips and tricks. Tag us on Instagram #MyLuxuryFloor and mention us on TikTok @luxuryflooringfurnishing. We’d love to see how your new floor has turned out! 

The post Laminate vs Engineered Wood Flooring: Comparison appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

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Sophie and Ollie recently bought their first home and were excited to make their cold and dark bedroom feel more inviting. Knowing they wanted an affordable, high-quality wood floor, they were impressed by our range of options and chose the very popular Painswick Biscuit Engineered Oak.

Why did you choose Luxury Flooring?

We wanted high-quality wooden flooring, and Luxury Flooring had an amazing range of options. There were so many shades to choose from that we knew we’d find something perfect for our space. On top of that, the pricing was super affordable, which made the decision even easier.

What was most important to you when designing your room?

Before, the room felt really dark and cold—the dark floor tiles and navy blue walls didn’t help! It lacked warmth and didn’t feel like a space where we could truly relax and unwind. We wanted to create a room that felt bright, cosy and inviting, a place that would instantly lift our mood when we walked in. 

We knew the flooring was going to play a massive role in changing that vibe. By choosing a lighter, natural wood tone, we could open up the space and make it feel more spacious and airy. It wasn’t just about aesthetics, though; we wanted the room to feel comfortable and practical too. The right flooring would set the foundation for everything else—the furniture, the décor and the overall ambiance.

What does your home situation look like?

This is our first home together as a couple, so it’s just the two of us here. That means we’ve had the freedom to really make the place our own.

What finishing touches make your room feel cosy?

A gorgeous rug really helped add some texture and warmth to the room. It pairs beautifully with the Painswick Biscuit engineered oak flooring, complementing its natural tones while adding a layer of depth to the space. We also invested in a statement bed frame with linen details, which not only makes the bed a true focal point but also adds an element of softness and elegance that makes the room feel incredibly cosy.

What qualities were you looking for in your new flooring? 

As first-time home buyers and renovators, we were navigating the balance between staying on budget and finding something that would truly elevate our home. Affordability was absolutely key, but we didn’t want to compromise on quality—this was an investment we wanted to last. When we compared Luxury Flooring’s prices with other brands, it was a no-brainer; they offered the perfect combination of cost-effectiveness and premium quality. What really reassured us were the glowing reviews from other customers, who consistently praised the durability, craftsmanship and look of the flooring. 

We were also looking for a wide range of options to ensure we could find the perfect shade and finish to match our vision. The variety at Luxury Flooring was impressive—there was something for every style and aesthetic. Another priority was finding flooring that was easy to maintain, especially as we’re new to homeownership and wanted something that wouldn’t require constant upkeep. The engineered oak we chose ticked all these boxes, giving us a durable, stylish and practical solution that we knew we could count on for years to come.

 Have you ever had a ‘panic moment’ with your floor? If so, how did you handle it? 

We definitely had a few panic moments when installing our floor, especially since we decided to go for the herringbone style. As first-time DIYers, we knew it would be a bit of a challenge, but there were times we thought we’d completely messed up! Herringbone can be tricky on the eyes, and there were moments where we thought the pattern looked off or that we’d made a mistake with the layout.

To handle it, we reminded ourselves to take things slowly and stay patient. We broke the project into sections rather than trying to tackle it all at once, which made it much more manageable. Taking regular breaks also helped give us a fresh perspective when our eyes started playing tricks on us. We also double-checked the pattern regularly as we went along, making sure everything was lining up properly before moving on to the next section. 

What advice would you give to someone looking to transform their floor?

Don’t rush the planning phase! Take your time to really consider the style and atmosphere you want to create in the room, as the flooring will set the tone for everything else. Look at the big picture—think about how the flooring will work with your existing furniture, wall colours, and the overall feel of your home. Ordering samples is a must; seeing and feeling the material in your actual space is so much more helpful than relying on online photos. It lets you see how the colour changes throughout the day with different lighting, which can make a huge difference.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask the Luxury Flooring team questions. A little extra research upfront will help you avoid surprises down the road, and it’s worth taking the time to feel confident about your choice. Flooring is a big investment, but when done right, it can completely transform your space and be a feature you’ll love for years to come.

What’s your top DIY tip?

Measure twice, cut once! It’s such a cliché, but it really is the golden rule for any DIY project, especially when it comes to flooring. Taking the time to double-check your measurements can save you from wasting materials or running short, which can be both frustrating and expensive. If you’re working with tricky areas like alcoves or door frames, don’t rush—make templates if needed to ensure an accurate fit.

How has your new floor improved your home?

It has completely transformed our bedroom! What used to feel dark, gloomy, and uninviting is now light, calm and tranquil—a perfect space to relax at the end of a busy day. The new flooring has brought a warmth and natural beauty to the room that completely changed its atmosphere. The Painswick Biscuit engineered oak has a gorgeous, soft tone that reflects light beautifully, making the space feel brighter and more open.

Beyond aesthetics, the flooring has made the room feel more cohesive and in line with the style of the rest of our home. It’s amazing how such a simple change can make a room feel so much more polished and finished. On a practical level, the flooring is super easy to maintain, which has been a huge bonus for us as first-time homeowners.

  

The post Customer Homes – @so.h0mey appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

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Jake and David wanted to add character and contemporary flair to their Georgian-style home in Lancashire. They had their hearts set on a pale oak floor and natural materials that would stand the test of time. Taking advantage of our free sample service, they compared lots of floors, before choosing the stunning Painswick Biscuit Engineered Oak.

Why did you choose Luxury Flooring?

We chose Luxury Flooring because they were competitive on price and we were really happy with the quality. We found that the free sample service really set Luxury Flooring apart from their competitors and the team were very friendly and responsive whenever we had any questions.

What was most important to you when designing your room?

The space had to be multifunctional in the sense that it would be a great room to relax and watch films at the weekend but also sociable for hosting guests, which we like to do often.

What does your home situation look like?

We have a 2-year-old English Show Type Cocker Spaniel called Alfie.

How do you prepare your home before hosting?

We like to light the fire and lots of candles!

Which rooms do you use for hosting?

The living room is my main hosting room when family and friends come over, and it opens up onto the garden so it’s a nice easy room to use. I’m currently doing my garden up ready for hosting in the summer months.

What qualities were you looking for in your new flooring?

The colour of the flooring was really important to us. We wanted a pale oak colour that almost looked unfinished and in its most natural state. It was also important for the flooring to be durable and hardwearing.

Have you ever had a ‘panic moment’ with your floor? If so, how did you handle it?

When installing our floor we were not prepared for how quickly the flooring glue dries, so we put less down at any given time and worked quicker.

Have you used our Stock hold, Klarna or Price Match services?

We used the stock hold service to secure the flooring in one of the sales. This was a great service as we did not want to lose out on the promotion but due to the renovation, we were not quite ready to accept delivery.

What advice would you give to someone looking to transform their floor?

Order lots of samples. The flooring can look different depending on how much natural light you get.

How has your new floor transformed your home?

It has made the space feel more cohesive and in keeping of the Georgian-style as well as feeling more luxurious.

  

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