Solid vs Engineered vs Laminate vs LVT

Posted on 20 Sep at 12:43 pm

Wood Floors: Solid vs Engineered vs Laminate vs LVT

Quick take

Solid wood: premium, refinishable many times; sensitive to moisture.
Engineered wood: real wood surface, stable over UFH; limited refinish cycles.
Laminate: budget-friendly, tough surface; not real wood, can’t refinish.
LVT (vinyl plank/tiles): highly water-resistant, quiet; not wood, needs good subfloor.

What each is

Comfort, look & feel

Warmth & feel: Solid/Engineered feel most “natural”; Laminate a bit harder; LVT slightly softer/quiet underfoot.
Acoustics: LVT/Engineered reduce footfall noise better than Laminate; Solid varies by subfloor/underlay.
Aesthetics: Solid/Engineered = authentic grain/aging; Laminate/LVT = consistent patterns (modern textures are convincing).

Performance & longevity

Refinishing potential:
- Solid: many times (wear-through risk is low with proper sanding).
- Engineered: typically 1–3 times (depends on wear-layer thickness).
- Laminate/LVT: cannot be sanded; replace damaged boards.
Moisture & kitchens:
- LVT: best;
- Laminate: weakest against standing water;
- Engineered: better than Solid;
- Solid: needs strict humidity control.
Underfloor heating (UFH):
- Engineered: best match;
- LVT: very good (observe temperature limits);
- Solid: possible with careful spec;
- Laminate: acceptable with correct underlay.

Installation, speed & disruption

Costs (percentages only; Laminate = baseline 0%)

(Ranges vary with brand, thickness, board size, finish, subfloor condition.)

Materials
- Engineered: +30–80% vs Laminate
- Solid: +50–120% vs Laminate
- LVT: +20–60% vs Laminate
Installation labor
- Engineered (glue/fixed): +20–50% vs Laminate (floating)
- Solid (nailed/glue): +40–90% vs Laminate
- LVT (glue-down): +10–35% vs Laminate; LVT click: +0–15%
Lifecycle/maintenance over ~15–20 years (finishing, repairs, replacements)
- Solid (with 1–2 sand & refinish): −15–30% vs Laminate (fewer full replacements)
- Engineered (1 refinish or board swaps): −5–15% vs Laminate
- LVT (spot-replace, no sanding): −5–10% vs Laminate in wet/traffic-heavy areas; +0–10% in dry low-traffic homes

Benefits (owner outcomes)

Solid: Highest authenticity, ages beautifully, longest service life with care.
Engineered: Real wood look + dimensional stability; great with UFH; wider boards possible.
Laminate: Lowest upfront, quick install, scratch-resistant wear layer.
LVT: Water-resistant, quiet, easy to maintain; excellent for kitchens, basements, rentals.

Key risks & how to avoid them

Moisture movement (Solid/Engineered): control site humidity; acclimate; leave expansion gaps; follow max floor temps on UFH.
Telegraphing/subfloor (LVT/Laminate): poor prep shows through—ensure flatness per spec.
Click damage & peaking (floating floors): correct underlay, expansion joints at thresholds/large spans.
Wrong cleaning products (all): avoid steam and harsh chemicals; use manufacturer-approved cleaners.
Sun fade (wood & some LVT): use UV-rated finishes and window shades; rotate rugs/furniture.

When to choose what

Solid: Heritage look, long-term home, stable indoor climate, willing to refinish.
Engineered: Premium look + UFH compatibility + dimensional stability.
Laminate: Budget-led projects, fast retrofit, tough finish for kids/pets.
LVT: Wet-prone areas, basements, rentals, quiet/low-maintenance comfort.

FAQ (short)

Can I refinish engineered wood? Yes, if the wear layer allows; check thickness/spec.
Is laminate waterproof? No; it’s water-resistant only—dry spills fast.
Does LVT feel “plastic”? Modern textured LVT feels more natural, especially in glue-down with quality underlay.
Best over UFH? Engineered or LVT (within temperature limits).

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