Neither engineered hardwood nor laminate is universally "better"; the choice depends on your priorities: laminate offers superior scratch resistance, water resilience (especially modern waterproof types), lower cost, and easier DIY installation, ideal for busy homes; engineered hardwood provides a genuine wood look, can be refinished multiple times for longevity, offers better feel/value, but costs more and needs careful maintenance, making it a long-term investment for ambiance.
Both are strong, durable floors that are less expensive than natural wood, but laminate flooring typically costs less. Both materials mimic a natural wood floor beautifully, but if you're all about natural beauty, you might prefer the solid wood top of an engineered hardwood floor.
The main disadvantages of engineered wood flooring are its limited refinishing potential due to a thin top veneer, making its lifespan shorter than solid wood; moisture sensitivity, as water can still cause warping or damage despite better resistance than solid wood; potential for fading from sunlight; and that lower-quality versions might not offer the authentic look of solid hardwood or may use less durable core materials. It's also susceptible to scratches and dents, and costs can vary significantly, sometimes approaching solid wood prices.
The main disadvantages of laminate flooring are its poor moisture resistance (leading to warping), inability to be refinished (requiring replacement for damage), potential for a hollow sound, susceptibility to scratches, and sometimes artificial look, making it less ideal for wet areas or if you want the feel of real wood, though modern versions offer water resistance and durability.
Healthier flooring options include solid wood, natural linoleum, cork, bamboo, tile and stone.
The 3-4-5 method in flooring uses the Pythagorean theorem (32+42=523 squared plus 4 squared equals 5 squared32+42=52) to create a perfect 90-degree (square) corner, ensuring straight lines for tiles, hardwood, or laminate, essential for professional-looking, accurate layouts in rooms, by measuring 3 units along one wall from a corner, 4 units along the adjacent wall, and checking if the diagonal between those points is exactly 5 units.
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It Can't Be Refinished, Especially if Water-Damaged
Unlike other flooring types, laminate floors cannot be sanded down and refinished when damaged. If the laminate becomes worn or cosmetically damaged, you may need to replace the flooring, which could be costly if you've recently installed it.
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The "Rule of 3" in flooring is a design guideline suggesting you use no more than three different flooring materials (like hardwood, tile, carpet) or three variations (tones, textures) throughout your home for a cohesive, less cluttered look. It promotes visual harmony by pairing functional needs (tile in bathrooms, carpet in bedrooms, wood in living areas) with a limited palette, creating intentional transitions rather than a "patchwork" effect, and can also refer to sales strategies offering three price points or styles.
Every month. For monthly maintenance, your engineered timber floors benefit from a more thorough cleaning approach. Use a specialised, non-toxic wood floor cleaner with a damp (never wet) microfiber mop, working in the direction of the wood grain. This removes dirt that daily cleaning might miss.
Solid hardwood flooring is considered the safest and least toxic option as it's completely natural and free from any toxins. Solid hardwood floors are made of planks milled from a single piece of timber, which makes it a healthy flooring option.
One of the chief differences between solid and engineered hardwood is thickness. The standard thickness of engineered hardwood's wood veneer is 2mm or 1/16 inches. High-quality engineered hardwoods use 3mm or 4mm thicknesses, translating to 3/32 and 1/8 inches, respectively.
Laminate flooring is not designed for outdoor or exposed areas. It is not suitable for use on decks, patios, or any location where it will be directly exposed to rain, sunlight, or extreme temperature fluctuations. Exposure to these elements can cause warping, fading, and other forms of damage to the laminate flooring.
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Making the Right Flooring Choice
Choosing between LVT vs hardwood vs laminate depends on your priorities. LVT is durable, water-resistant, and affordable. Hardwood offers elegance and strong ROI but requires maintenance. Laminate is cost-effective and easy to install, best for low-moisture areas.
The upcoming design trend for 2025 will feature deep-coloured materials, such as navy blue, charcoal grey, forest green, and maroon, and teal. High-gloss laminate combined with these colours produces an elegant, dramatic effect, which works equally well for residential and commercial spaces.
Long-Term Costs. While laminate flooring may be cheaper upfront, it's essential to consider the long-term costs. Hardwood flooring, though more expensive initially, can last for decades and even increase the value of your home. Laminate, while durable, typically has a shorter lifespan and may need to be replaced sooner ...
The most popular flooring in homes today is wooden flooring – like luxury vinyl, laminate, or hardwood floors.
Unlike carpet, which can get dull and dingy over time, laminate wood floors can look brand new even years later if maintained well. Interior designers report that buyers tend to prefer hard floor surfaces, so if the ability to re-sell in the future is important, wood floors may be a sound investment.
Whether you go with light walls and dark floors or the other way around, aim for a degree of balance. The best visual appeal in a room often involves a nice bit of contrast, whether in shades or textures, this principle applies whether we're talking creating a cozy living room or making a kitchen feel airy.
For 2026, we are seeing a return to cozy carpeting, natural wood materials, and a drive to implement no-to-low chemical-based materials into the home. And, just for fun, these materials are coming in hot with playful patterns that reflect the individualism of modern homeowners.
The more expensive flooring upgrades yield the highest returns and appeal most to homebuyers. And hardwood is the clear winner, followed by engineered hardwood and tile. Carpet and luxury vinyl tiles add comparable value, though vinyl is the cheapest option.