With so many options available, picking the perfect flooring for your home can be overwhelming. The option that best suits your needs and tastes will depend on the distinctive features of engineered wood, laminate, solid boards, and parquet flooring.
In terms of longevity, aesthetics, and upkeep, each type of flooring has unique advantages. Making an informed decision that suits your budget and lifestyle can be facilitated by being aware of the main differences.
We’ll explain the differences between these materials in this post and offer advice on which one might be the best choice for your house.
- Features of floor coverings
- Parquet flooring
- Engineered board
- Laminate
- Solid board
- Comparison of materials
- Durability
- Durability
- Installation methods
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Features of floor coverings
The features of floor materials vary depending on the structure and technology of production. This imposes certain limitations that need to be considered in determining the best option.
Parquet flooring
A common variety with great decorative qualities and a wide assortment is parquet board. The product is made up of several layers:
- The upper (front) layer is a cut of valuable wood species. Its thickness varies from 3 to 6 mm, so the coating can be subjected to scraping and grinding.
- The middle layer is located perpendicular to the rest. It is made of less valuable wood and serves to stabilize and compensate for possible stress or expansion. The size of such a layer ranges from 13 to 20 mm. Here is the locking joint.
- The lower layer is also a cut of the least valuable types of wood, most often coniferous species. Its thickness is from 8 to 10 mm. It is necessary to give the panel rigidity.
The material is produced using a technique that involves adhering each layer together. However, there are differences between single-strip, double-strip, and triple-strip options because the top coating can be heterogeneous and have multiple cuts. Although a more intricate structure is more aesthetically pleasing, there is a drawback: the material is susceptible to structural deformation if the operating conditions are not met. Varnish or oils are used as decorative and protective mixtures to coat the parts.
Remember that parquet board and piece parquet are very different. It’s a small-format, solid wood, unprocessed variety.
Engineered board
It’s a relatively new kind of flooring material. Its multi-layer structure, consisting of two or three layers, is essentially the same as that of the previous version. The primary distinction is that the bottom layer is always made of premium moisture-resistant plywood.
The board’s organizational structure looks like this:
- The top layer is more than 5 mm, made of valuable tree species that are highly durable: oak, ash, maple, walnut. This allows for repeated sanding and scraping.
- With a three-layer structure, the middle is occupied by a layer of less valuable wood species, located perpendicular to the rest.
- The bottom layer is plywood more than 12 mm thick.
It is hard to determine with certainty which is superior, engineered or parquet flooring. Although both materials are coated with decorative protective compounds from above, the engineering product is less vulnerable to different kinds of impacts because of advances in layer joining technology and premium adhesives. Furthermore, the plywood base’s ability to withstand moisture makes it feasible to perform tasks in environments with fluctuating humidity and temperature. Additionally, the best material to use when installing a warm water floor system is engineered board. As a result, you must decide which material to use depending on a particular circumstance.
Modern varieties should be noted for their complex, multi-cut base. This feature makes the elements less susceptible to loads and impacts.
Laminate
This type has a structure with more layers than the others. However, since natural wood isn’t utilized to create it, this material is regarded as artificial. Even so, MDF board, a wood product, serves as the foundation.
- Film providing reliable protection.
- Special paper imitating the desired decorative effect.
- Moisture-resistant paper impregnated with resin.
- MDF panel or similar material.
- Stabilizing protective layer of melamine.
Such a lamella cannot be any thinner than 7-8 mm. Laminate comes with unique digital markings that show the maximum allowable load and is available in both household and technical (office, commercial) varieties.
The material is similar to the engineering variety in that it is excellent for both laying on warm floors and for use in unheated or intermittently heated rooms due to its structure. This is unquestionably a benefit. These products require the least amount of labor to install, but they have unique qualities.
Solid board
Because it is made from a single piece of priceless wood, this flooring material is entirely natural and environmentally friendly. Protective compounds coat the elements, allowing you to highlight their inherent color or texture.
- The top layer is responsible for visual appeal. Its thickness usually exceeds 6–8 mm, due to which the material can be subjected to repeated scraping and grinding.
- The lower one is the location of the locking joint. Due to the thickness over 12 mm, maximum reliability and hardness are ensured.
The array requires more care during installation and preparation because it cannot withstand variations in temperature or humidity levels. As a result, using this kind of material is advised in spaces that meet the necessary requirements since it enables you to establish the ideal microclimate.
Be aware of this! Instead of using solid wood, there are materials that have two or three layers. It is built from layers of one type of wood. This facilitates greater stability.
It’s critical to comprehend the main distinctions between laminate, solid boards, engineered wood, and parquet flooring in terms of maintenance, longevity, and aesthetics. From the affordable nature of laminate to the inherent beauty of solid wood, each choice has special advantages. The ideal option will rely on your long-term needs, the function of the room, and your budget. With the aid of this article, you can sort through these choices and select the ideal flooring for your house.
Comparison of materials
It is vital to assess the primary attributes of floor types of finishing products in order to comprehend the distinctions between them.
Durability
It is not always simple to determine the maximum service life because a number of factors can affect the coating. As a result, this comparison is done using the ideal humidity and temperature values:
- Solid wood. With proper installation, compliance with operating conditions and appropriate care, the service life is at least 35-50 years before the need for the first sanding. The total duration can exceed 100-150 years.
- Engineered and parquet boards. The wear resistance of such varieties is almost at the same level. But the first option is more durable due to the greater thickness of the lamellas and production technology. The average service life, subject to all conditions, is usually about 25-30 years.
- Laminate. Durability depends on the selected class: the household option will last at least 6-9 years, and the commercial – up to 20-25 years.
The terms may be drastically lowered in the event that the operating conditions are broken.
Durability
Each option’s strength parameters vary greatly from the others:
- Solid wood. Material made from solid sections of hardwood successfully resists mechanical impact. But good strength indicators do not protect against destruction under the influence of moisture.
- Laminate. The strength of this material depends on the class. The most popular (household) options are not very stable, but the highest quality products can have a strength comparable to solid wood.
- The strength limit is the main difference between parquet boards and engineered boards. The first variety, due to the layer of soft rocks, is more susceptible to the slightest impact. The engineered version is able to maintain geometric integrity in extremely difficult conditions, which makes it more stable even compared to solid wood.
Naturally, a lot relies on the manufacturer and adherence to all laws and regulations.
Installation methods
Because installation techniques and technology are always evolving, you can complete the task entirely by yourself. Each option’s installation process, however, has unique features.
- It is most difficult to work with solid wood. It requires high-quality and long-term preparation of the base. Installation is most often carried out on glue with additional fixation with screws. For greater strength, the parts are connected with a tongue and groove lock.
- Installation of engineered boards will also require good preparation. The material is laid on a concrete screed or plywood base, fixed with a lock and glue. If there is a “warm floor” system, the use of a “floating” method is allowed.
- The parquet variety can be compared with laminate: it is installed by all methods. The fastest installation option is to use a locking connection, which allows you to get a “floating” structure, but this will require laying a protective acoustic layer.
- Laminate is mounted on a substrate. The most common system for fixing locks is Click, which allows for laying even on bases with some errors.
The installation technique that requires the greatest amount of labor when considering all available options for solid products. Furthermore, the piece variety (parquet) calls for additional coating processing and protective compound application.
Material | Key Differences and Considerations |
Engineered Wood | Consists of a real wood veneer over plywood, offers stability and durability, suitable for areas with fluctuating humidity, easier to install, but may have a shorter lifespan than solid wood. |
Parquet | Decorative wooden flooring made from small pieces arranged in geometric patterns, offers a classic and elegant look, requires careful installation, and can be more expensive due to intricate designs. |
Solid Wood | Made from a single piece of wood, offers a timeless and durable flooring option, can be sanded and refinished multiple times, but more susceptible to moisture and temperature changes. |
Laminate | Made from high-density fiberboard with a photographic layer, offers a budget-friendly alternative to wood, resistant to scratches and stains, easy to maintain, but cannot be refinished and may not feel as warm underfoot. |
The decision between engineered wood, laminate, solid boards, and parquet flooring comes down to how important style, longevity, and cost are to you. Because each choice provides a special combination of advantages, it can be used in a variety of settings and according to different tastes.
With the appearance of real wood and the added stability of engineered wood, it’s a great compromise. With its complex patterns, parquet adds a touch of elegance and is a favorite material for people who want to make a statement with their design. Conversely, solid boards have a higher price tag and need more upkeep but provide timeless appeal and long-lasting quality. Although laminate is less expensive than real wood, it still offers a variety of styles but lacks the warmth and authenticity of real wood.
Ultimately, the optimal decision is determined by your top priorities. Your best option might be solid boards if you want authenticity and don’t mind the maintenance. Parquet or engineered wood may be the best option if you’re looking for a practical yet stylish flooring. Laminate is an affordable and easily maintained option that is worth taking into consideration.
In the end, you just need to choose the flooring type that best suits your taste and way of life. All of these flooring options have the power to transform your space.