Which Is Better? Engineered Wood Floors vs. Laminated Floors

When considering new flooring options for your remodel or dream project, it can sometimes put you in “analysis paralysis” when trying to decide what works best for you. Engineered wood and laminate flooring are both more cost-effective than solid hardwood flooring, but there’s more to consider when choosing between these two floor types.

Should you go with the longevity of engineered wood flooring or the durability of laminate flooring? The natural wood veneer of engineered wood or the easier maintenance of laminate?

Here, we’ll compare engineered wood flooring and laminate flooring so you can choose the flooring that best matches your preferences. We’ll look at:

• Differences between how they’re made
• A side-by-side comparison of these flooring materials
• Choosing the right flooring type for you

Let’s begin by going over what sets each type of flooring apart from the other.

Differences between how engineered wood and laminate flooring are made

Both engineered wood and laminate flooring are alternatives to solid hardwood. They’re both layered materials, they both have floating floor installation options, and they are both lower-cost options.

Engineered wood flooring is made from multiple layers of wood types that are fused together with adhesives, but the top layer of each board is solid wood. It looks like real hardwood because it is real wood. The core layer “may be plywood, fiberboard, or oriented strand board (OSB), depending on the quality of the flooring.”¹ The core is also layered in a crisscross pattern, which helps with water resistance (more on that below).

Because only the top layer is solid wood, engineered wood can be refinished once, but likely no more than that.

Engineered hardwood also increases a home’s value.²

Laminate flooring is meant to look like hardwood, but it’s made of synthetic wood material—or high-density fiberboard—through and through. There is no top layer of solid wood. Because it’s fully synthetic, you can’t refinish laminate flooring,³ and it has a lower resale value.

Now that we know the key differences between how each type of flooring is made, let’s compare them directly, point by point.

A side-by-side comparison

We’ll examine the following factors in this comparison:

• Cost
• Appearance
• Installation
• Durability
• Maintenance
• Moisture resistance
• Environmental impact

Let’s begin with cost.

Cost

The national average cost of engineered wood runs between $6-$12 per square foot, but can range from anywhere between $3-$16.⁴ Laminate flooring can range from $1-$6 per square foot⁵, depending on the quality of the material. For either flooring type, high-quality will, of course, cost more.

The installation cost of engineered wood also tends to be higher than for laminate flooring.⁶

Overall, laminate flooring is a more affordable option, but there are other factors to consider when deciding between engineered wood and laminate flooring.

Appearance

Since engineered wood flooring has a hardwood veneer layer, it is solid wood on the top. This top layer is usually oak, walnut, maple, or hickory. The wood variety makes it available in a wide range of styles. Engineered wood can also have varying widths, including extra-wide in some cases.⁷

Laminate wood looks and feels different from hardwood flooring because it uses synthetic material. It looks more like a material that’s mimicking wood than a material that is wood.

The top layer of laminate is actually an image layer of wood material that’s printed over the top, which means it has a wider range of color, pattern, and design choices. It can look like wood, ceramic, or tile. But according to Lee Wallender, who has over 20 years’ worth of remodeling experience, “top-quality laminates now have a richer, deeper embossing of simulated wood grain textures, giving the flooring a much more realistic feel.”⁸

Installation

Engineered wood flooring can be installed over any type of subfloor, including concrete. This means it can be installed in a variety of ways—using nails, glue, staples, or as a floating floor, which uses an interlocking system for the boards to click into place. Since engineered wood uses different varieties of wood, it’s heavier than laminate, which can factor into DIY projects.

Laminate flooring usually uses the floating floor click-lock installation process.⁹ An underlay is placed between the subfloor and the laminate boards, and the interlocking system makes installation easier for DIY projects. According to experts at HGTV, “That means laminate flooring can go directly over old flooring without nailing, gluing or having to remove the existing flooring—a feature that’s a big plus for DIYers.”¹⁰ And, since it uses synthetic material, laminate is lighter than engineered wood.

Durability

Durability makes a big difference in how long something holds up against the activities of life.

Engineered wood is a bit more prone to scratches and dents than laminate flooring. Since engineered wood has a solid wood veneer, it can be refinished at least once, but possibly only once if the top veneer is 1.2 mm or less. A thicker veneer (3-6 mm) can be refinished a few times to get rid of those pesky wear-and-tear imperfections.

On average, as long as it’s well cared for, engineered wood can last 30 years or more.

On the other hand, the wear layer of laminate planks has a protective coating on top because “Laminate flooring is designed with durability in mind, making it one of the most scratch-resistant flooring options available.”¹¹ Laminate’s resistance to everyday wear makes it a good option for homeowners with kids and pets.¹²

Laminate flooring, however, can’t be refinished since it’s made up of synthetic material. Once it’s damaged, it needs to be replaced altogether.¹³

On average, laminate flooring lasts about 10-20 years.

Because of its ability to be refinished, engineered wood tends to last longer before it needs to be replaced.

Maintenance

Whether you choose engineered wood or laminate flooring, maintaining your floor takes some foresight and care.

Maintaining laminate is pretty simple because of its synthetic material. Just wipe and go!

But make sure to wipe spills immediately. HGTV DIY-er Emily Fazio suggests avoiding cleaning with abrasive materials or wood cleaners, which leave a residue.¹⁴ If you have to use a solution, a mix of hot water, vinegar, and a few drops of dish soap might work best.¹⁵

Engineered wood is also easy to clean, as long as spills are wiped up immediately. But since its top layer is solid wood, you have to make sure it dries completely to avoid any moisture damage.¹⁶

Sweeping regularly will help engineered wood keep its natural look for as long as possible, and using a soft-bristle broom is best.¹⁷

Similar to laminate, you want to avoid using harsh chemicals and abrasive materials on engineered wood flooring. We recommend using cleaners made specifically for hardwood floors, as they will not have harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia.¹⁸

You can also mop both floor types, but using excessive water is discouraged. Therefore, using a dry mop with a microfiber cloth may work best.

Moisture Resistance

Neither engineered wood nor laminate flooring is waterproof, so they aren’t suitable for damp, high-humidity areas (e.g., bathrooms. Vinyl or tile are best for bathroom floors).

However, home improvement enthusiast Jamie Cattanach says that “engineered hardwood is more water-resistant than laminate because plywood in engineered wood products offers more resistance compared to the materials in laminate.”¹⁹ In other words, its layered construction provides some resistance against environmental changes. But since engineered wood is made up of different types of wood, it can warp if it gets wet.

Laminate is less likely to succumb to water damage that leads to swelling or mold, but it is still possible if moisture gets between the floorboards.²⁰ Installing laminate correctly makes a big difference in whether or not water will be able to seep underneath.

In either case, it’s important to take good care of the flooring since both can be damaged by moisture.

Environmental Impact

Both engineered wood and laminate flooring have specific considerations in terms of their environmental impact.

Engineered wood uses real solid wood, so it’s more environmentally friendly than laminate. But since it requires manufacturing and uses some synthetic resins, it won’t biodegrade…meaning it will end up in a landfill once it’s discarded.

While researching engineered wood flooring options, look for labels on the material that say “100% FSC Certified,” the stamp of approval from the Forest Stewardship Council. You can also look for certifications from ATFS (The American Tree Farm System) and SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative), two organizations that focus on farming sustainably.²¹

Laminate has more of a tendency to give off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) because of its synthetic makeup. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, “VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short-and long-term adverse health effects.”²²

When considering laminate flooring, it’s important to research low-VOC materials to keep your home safe from potential toxins.

Choosing the right flooring

Engineered wood and laminate flooring are both good alternatives to solid wood flooring. When comparing laminate vs. engineered wood, the flooring type you choose is based on what you value more. If you value cost-effectiveness and durability the most, then laminate flooring is your best bet. If you value longevity, natural wood appearance, or environmental sustainability the most, you’ll want to go with engineered hardwood flooring.

Which rooms the flooring will go in is also important to think about. Engineered hardwood flooring works well in rooms susceptible to water concerns like basements or kitchens because of the criss-crossing layers in the core of the planks,²³ which provide more water resistance.

Because of its durability, laminate flooring may work best in high-traffic areas like entryways, living rooms, and hallways.²⁴ Experts at HGTV say that you want to avoid “installations in any room with a floor drain or sump pump,” like laundry rooms or kitchens.²⁵

Since both flooring types can potentially have moisture issues, make sure the material acclimates to its environment, follow the manufacturer’s instructions during installation, and use a moisture meter to check for moisture levels.

In short, moisture can cause a variety of issues for either flooring type if it’s not installed properly or if its moisture content is higher or lower than it should be.

Our wood moisture meters at Bessemeter help reduce and prevent moisture-related issues by providing accurate readings for moisture content and helping you manage it in your flooring.

Not sure which moisture meter to choose?

1. https://www.bessemeter.com/blog/hardwood-vs-engineered-wood-flooring-which-is-better/ [↑]
2. “Laminate vs Engineered Hardwood,” HGTV. [↑]
3. Wallender, Lee. “Engineered Hardwood vs Laminate Comparison Guide,” The Spruce. [↑]
4. Bopray, Alora. “How Much Does Engineered Hardwood Flooring Cost?” Today’s Homeowner. [↑]
5. “Laminate Flooring Cost Guide,” Go Flooring. [↑]
6. Bo, Arnold.“ Engineered Hardwood vs Laminate: Side-by-Side Comparison,” FlooringStores, Jan. 26, 2024. [↑]
7. “Solid vs Engineered Hardwood,” Hartco. [↑]
8. Wallender. [↑]
9. “What is a Floating Floor?” Floor Decor Design Center, May 4, 2022. [↑]
10. “Laminate vs Engineered Hardwood,” HGTV. [↑]
11. “Are Laminate Floors Scratch Resistant?” DeSitter Flooring, Jan. 16, 2025. [↑]
12. “Engineered Hardwood vs Laminate: Side-by-Side Comparison.” [↑]
13. Wallender. [↑]
14. Fazio, Emily. [↑]
15. Buiano, Madeline. “How to Clean Laminate Floors the Right Way,” marthastewart.com. [↑]
16. Ibid. [↑]
17. Shields, Sydney. “How to Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors,” Flooring Inc, Feb. 4, 2025. [↑]
18. Ibid. [↑]
19. Cattanach, Jamie. “Engineered Wood Flooring vs. Laminate: Yes, There’s a Difference”, Angi. [↑]
20. Wallender. [↑]
21. Ibid. [↑]
22. “What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)?” United States Environmental Protection Agency. [↑]
23. “Solid vs Engineered Hardwood,” Hartco. [↑]
24. “Best Places to Use Laminate Flooring,” Twenty & Oak Flooring. [↑]
25. Sanders, Kamron and John Riha. “What to Know Before Installing Laminate Flooring,” HGTV. [↑]