Differences between engineered flooring and laminate flooring?

[spikerS]

I am looking to get some new flooring for the new house, and need something that looks nice, but can stand up to my 2 large dogs. I have primarily been looking for Laminate, but in my research have come across engineered flooring.

I can't see the difference, can you?

[masoncgy]

Engineered hardwood is more of an authentic 'wood flooring' than most laminates and it can be refinished down the road should it become damaged over time. It adds more value to a home than laminate as well.

It will chip, dent, scratch & fade much easier than laminate though, so take that into consideration. I've been into homes with dogs & engineered floors and it gets marked up pretty badly.

I put laminate in my house simply because of all the traffic moving through the rooms, including dogs & my little girl. It's not as authentic as hardwood, but it still looks amazing and it's incredibly durable... no major scratching, dents, fading or anything after nearly two years of abuse.

[project240]

In your situation with the dogs I'd get the laminate, even though there definitely is a noticeable difference between the two.

[spikerS]

yeah, I am still thinking i need the durability of laminate, but had no idea about engineered flooring.

[C_Dave45]

it depends on the laminate though. Some are almost paper thin that WILL easily scratch. The "body" of laminate is like a pressboard material that won't stand up to moisture. A "handscrape" finish engineered hardwood is very durable. Much more so than laminate. It's "distressed look hides any and all "wearing" that you can throw at it. As well it's an "all wood" product. The body is similar to plywood. You need to see them in real life spikers to really appreciate the difference. Go into a flooring Co. and look at both of them. Touch and feel the laminate compared to an engineered. I just did 3 million dollar plus homes in Aspen area and they all put in "handscraped" engineered hardwood. You'd never get away with laminate in a house like that. But of course it's a lot more expensive than laminate. So your own budget will definitely play into your decision. Good luck.

[spikerS]

well, i need to get about 650sqf of flooring, and I have a budget of $1000-$1200 for it.

[sr20s14zenki]

Keep an eye out at home depot and totem for their sales. My wife and I picked up 750 square feet of some Kaindl stuff, which apparently is pretty good.It cost us 550$ (68c a square foot). I just took the whole pallet haha.

it feels like tuff stuff for sure, i have dragged stuff across it, accidentally of course, etc, not so much as a mark.

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by spikers
well, i need to get about 650sqf of flooring, and I have a budget of $1000-$1200 for it.

Ahhh....laminate it is then lol.

[barmanjay]

I think Ikea has some decent stuff on sale