We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Laminate versus Engineered Flooring
Options

Bykerlass
Posts: 941 Forumite


I want to replace the flooring throughout my bungalow. I have a dog who is not adverse to getting muddy etc. What would be more serviceable, laminate or engineered wood? Is one any better than the other with regards resistance to scratching. Just thinking of her paws scratching the floor.
I USED TO BE INDECISIVE BUT NOW I'M NOT SO SURE!
Rich people tell you that money doesn't bring you happiness just so the poor people don't feel jealous.
Rich people tell you that money doesn't bring you happiness just so the poor people don't feel jealous.
0
Comments
-
Hi Bykerlass,
Firstly nothing is scratch-proof, so with a dog you should expect the floor to come under increased wear conditions.
Solid or Engineered wood will always scratch more easily than a laminate (depending on the quality of the products, a cheap laminate may scratch easier than a well lacquered real wood). That is partly the beauty of the product, if you can live with the wood ageing over a period of time, then wood is the product for you.
However if you want the look of a real/engineered wood floor but increased durability then laminate is a better option. As with anything in life, the more you pay the better the quality, and they do vary a lot in quality. Make sure you get a durable floor that is easy to maintain.
I have a high quality laminate down in my house as I have a 3 year old child, a dog that loves muddy puddles too and my wife wears heels. Now if I had a real wood floor down (that would look stunning for the first 6 months) it would have been hammered by now. It's been down for 3 years and looks as good now as the day it was laid.
Always research the products advised by any retailers, make sure that it will be able to withstand the 'abuse' of the dog, and that it will be easy to maintain once installed; and finally - I'll make the point again, that the more yu pay the better the product tends to be.0 -
ajtrader100 wrote: »Hi Bykerlass,
Firstly nothing is scratch-proof, so with a dog you should expect the floor to come under increased wear conditions.
Solid or Engineered wood will always scratch more easily than a laminate (depending on the quality of the products, a cheap laminate may scratch easier than a well lacquered real wood). That is partly the beauty of the product, if you can live with the wood ageing over a period of time, then wood is the product for you.
However if you want the look of a real/engineered wood floor but increased durability then laminate is a better option. As with anything in life, the more you pay the better the quality, and they do vary a lot in quality. Make sure you get a durable floor that is easy to maintain.
I have a high quality laminate down in my house as I have a 3 year old child, a dog that loves muddy puddles too and my wife wears heels. Now if I had a real wood floor down (that would look stunning for the first 6 months) it would have been hammered by now. It's been down for 3 years and looks as good now as the day it was laid.
Always research the products advised by any retailers, make sure that it will be able to withstand the 'abuse' of the dog, and that it will be easy to maintain once installed; and finally - I'll make the point again, that the more yu pay the better the product tends to be.
Many thanks for the advice. I guess laminate would be the better option in my case. I have ordered a couple of samples of 10mm & 12mm thick laminate, these sell for approx £18.50 per square metre, so hope the quality matches the price. I need about 72 Square metres so it is quite a bit but I want it to last and to keep its looks for as long as possible. Would you recommend any one make over another?I USED TO BE INDECISIVE BUT NOW I'M NOT SO SURE!
Rich people tell you that money doesn't bring you happiness just so the poor people don't feel jealous.0 -
Laminate - if only to watch the dog running cartoon fashion but not getting anywhere.
Laminate has a slippy surface which once worn or scratched, can't be repaired
Engineered wood is wood. It can be sanded and finished to varying states, and can be repaired. It can also be allowed to wear and gain a more attractive appearance
Laminate tends to be click-together and acts as one covering
Engineered wood tends to need fixing down to the floor beneath - either will secret fixings to timber, or adhesive to concrete. This requires more skill to fix and can lead to joints opening up unevenly, if not done properly. Or worse still , the whole lot bowing up in a big hump if not enough expansion room is allowed0 -
iamcornholio wrote: »Laminate - if only to watch the dog running cartoon fashion but not getting anywhere.
Laminate has a slippy surface which once worn or scratched, can't be repaired
Engineered wood is wood. It can be sanded and finished to varying states, and can be repaired. It can also be allowed to wear and gain a more attractive appearance
Laminate tends to be click-together and acts as one covering
Engineered wood tends to need fixing down to the floor beneath - either will secret fixings to timber, or adhesive to concrete. This requires more skill to fix and can lead to joints opening up unevenly, if not done properly. Or worse still , the whole lot bowing up in a big hump if not enough expansion room is allowed
LOL, yes I too thought about the cartoon thing she is bad enough on the tiled kitchen floor! She is a husky so should be used to slippy surfaces:DI USED TO BE INDECISIVE BUT NOW I'M NOT SO SURE!
Rich people tell you that money doesn't bring you happiness just so the poor people don't feel jealous.0 -
Can anyone tell me if the type of floor used in good quality fitted public toilets/washroomscan be bought in the retail market. They always seem to be taken up each wall for a few inches or so and look so tidy and easy to clean. Also, whatever they are made of seems to have glinting bits. Hope you know what I mean and sorry to butt in.
We have now got laminate of various qualities in bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and hall and all look good but the one in the kitchen is the type that locks together and looks like terracotta tilesand is the best I think.0 -
Please have a second thought for your dog re the flooring.
I've heard of dogs breaking limbs and pulling tendons trying to run across slippy floors and even worse, anecdotally of one poor dog having to be PTS because it slipped and broke its back :-(0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.8K Banking & Borrowing
- 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.5K Spending & Discounts
- 243.8K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.6K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.8K Life & Family
- 257K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards