Comparing Laminate, LVP/LVT, Engineered, and Hardwood Floors

Many people don’t realize that there are so many different types of flooring because many share aesthetic similarities. Some floor types may look like wood, but they are designed to mimic hardwood floors. Every room, every house, and every homeowner has unique needs and therefore unique flooring types. Keep reading to find out which flooring type is best for your current needs. 

Laminate

Unlike engineered or hardwood flooring, laminate flooring is man-made. It has several layers. The bottom is a backing layer that provides moisture protection. At its base is a fiberboard. A photographic image is layered on top, which can be printed to resemble various types of flooring–most commonly, wood or stone. A transparent layer on top seals the surface. 

Laminate is a more affordable choice, but up close it is apparent that it is not true wood flooring. Its fiberboard base is susceptible to water damage. However, the sealant layer is water-resistant as long as moisture is immediately remedied (cleaned up).

Laminate flooring is easy to clean since the top layer is plastic. However, once laminate flooring is damaged, it must be replaced because it cannot be refinished. Taking good care of laminate flooring can prolong its life span. Using a dry mop and laminate-specific cleaning product when cleaning can help with this. Laminate flooring is also more prone to scratching or chipping than some alternative options, so this is something to keep in mind if you are a pet owner or when moving furniture.

The lifespan of laminate flooring is generally 10-20 years.

Since laminate flooring “floats” over the subfloor, it has quite a bit of flex underfoot. This means that laminate flooring is likely to make quite a bit of clicking sounds when faced with pressure such as walking.

LVP/LVT

LVP (Luxury Vinyl planks) or LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) is made of 100% synthetic materials. Like laminate flooring, it mimics the appearance of natural flooring materials such as wood or stone. However, LVP/LVT has a thicker, more rigid core that tends to hold more resemblance to wood since deeper embossing is possible on its surface. The base layer is made of fiberglass.

LVP/LVT and laminate are similar in price. Both are more affordable options in comparison to engineered or hardwood floors.

Similar to laminate, LVP/LVT is very easy to clean. It may even require less specific cleaning needs. 

LVP/LVT is scratch-resistant. However, it is still susceptible to denting and tearing. In comparison to laminate flooring, LVP/LVT is a bit more durable of material and easier to repair.

While LVP/LVT may resemble wood, it won’t feel like wood on your feet. It tends to be more cold and rigid, than laminate flooring which tends to be warmer and softer.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood looks more realistic than laminate and LVP/LVT because its surface is genuine wood. Unlike hardwood floors, engineered wood flooring is not true wood all the way through. A thin layer or hardwood is on top, bonded to high-quality plywood.

The cost of engineered wood lies right in the middle of laminate/LVP/LVT and hardwood flooring. Although, it’s truly dependent on a case-to-case basis since some designer LVP/LVT flooring may be on the pricier side.

Engineered hardwood flooring is finished with a very durable waterproof surface sealer. However, both the surface wood and the plywood base are susceptible to swelling and warping with long-term or aggressive water exposure.

Unlike laminate or LVP/LVT, engineered hardwood flooring can be refinished at least once and potentially even three times due its thick veneer layer. It has a longer lifespan than laminate or LVP/LVT, as it can usually run 20-40 years.

Since engineered hardwood is thicker than alternatives and nailed or glued down for installation, it does not have the flexing (clicking) problem of aforementioned floor types. However, it is likely to feel harder underfoot since it is not usually installed over a foam layer like some laminate flooring.

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is made of solid wood through-and-through. Usually, it is made of hardwood species: oak, maple, or walnut. Compared to engineered flooring, hardwood boards are usually narrower planks. This allows for very tight seams between boards. Hardwood flooring provides an option to have prefinished or unfinished planks.

Solid hardwood floors air on the pricier side of the spectrum, especially if its pre-finished wood. It also takes quite a bit of skill to install true hardwood floors, which can up labor prices.

Surprisingly, engineered hardwood floors are less susceptible to warping caused by moisture, due its plywood base. Solid hardwoods should not be installed against concrete as humidity migration can cause swelling and warping.

Similar to engineered, hardwood flooring requires the regular cleaning upkeep with an occasional wood cleaner.

A huge advantage for hardwood flooring is its ability to be sanded down or refinished several times over its life. Particularly, prefinished hardwood floors have the most durability. This is due to a factory-applied finish. Both engineered and hardwood flooring can be revarnished every few years to maintain durability and longevity. Hardwood flooring has an unmatched lifespan in comparison to other flooring as it can range from 30 to up to 100 years!

As you could guess, hardwood flooring is the hardest out of all the aforementioned floor types. Unlike laminate flooring, you will not experience clicking underfoot, as it is a very stable material that is glued or nailed down for installation. However, when it is first installed it’s normal to hear creaks and squeaks. This is just the planks settling, but it should not continue past multiple months. Interestingly, solid hardwood has much better acoustic properties than engineered flooring. This can be explained by its density, which absorbs vibration and its hardness which distributes sound evenly throughout a space. 

There are advantages and disadvantages to each flooring type. The best choice of flooring depends on where you want to install it, for what purpose, and even just your personal preferences. This article provides you a general understanding of each floor type, so that you can better make an informed decision for your home.