Laminate is the better choice if you want a tough, good value floor that stands up to kids and pets. Hardwood is the better choice if you want real timber that can be sanded and refinished for decades. Engineered timber sits between the two, with a real timber surface on a more stable core.
Laminate, hardwood and engineered timber compared
| Laminate | Solid hardwood | Engineered timber | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface | Timber look image under a hard wear layer | Solid timber | Real timber layer |
| Guide cost, installed | $55 to $95 per m2 | Usually the highest | $110 to $220 per m2 |
| Scratch resistance | Very high | Marks and dents over time | Marks over time |
| Water | Water resistant. Premium ranges have a waterproof surface | Not for wet areas | Not for wet areas |
| Can be refinished | No | Yes, many times | Depends on the timber layer |
| Over a concrete slab | Yes, floats over underlay | Needs more preparation | Yes, glued or floated |
What is laminate flooring?
Laminate is made of layers. A hard wear layer sits on top of a printed timber image, over a dense fibreboard core. Good laminate looks very close to real timber and has the hardest surface of any timber look floor. It clicks together and floats over underlay, so it installs fast. Read more about our laminate flooring.
What is hardwood flooring?
Hardwood boards are solid timber all the way through. Common Australian species include blackbutt, spotted gum and jarrah. Hardwood has a look and feel nothing else matches, and it can be sanded back and refinished many times. It costs more, takes longer to install and moves more with changes in humidity.
Where engineered timber fits
Engineered timber gives you a real timber surface on a layered core. It is more stable than solid hardwood and can go straight onto a concrete slab. For most Melbourne homes it is the practical way to get a real timber floor.
Which should you choose?
- Choose laminate for busy family homes, rentals, tight budgets and fast installs.
- Choose engineered timber if you want real timber with fewer limits on where it can go.
- Choose solid hardwood if you are restoring an older home or want a floor to refinish for generations.
None of the three suits bathrooms or laundries. For those rooms, use vinyl planks.
Common questions
Is laminate cheaper than hardwood?
Yes. As a guide, laminate costs $55 to $95 per square metre supplied and installed. Real timber floors start at around twice that.
Does laminate look like real timber?
Good laminate looks very close to real timber, with textured grain and natural colour variation. Up close, real timber still has more depth.
Which lasts longer, laminate or hardwood?
Hardwood can last for generations because it can be sanded and refinished. Quality laminate lasts for many years, but it is replaced when worn, not refinished.
Want a fixed price for your rooms? Book a free measure and quote or call 0422 635 797. We work across Bayside and South East Melbourne.