Engineered wood vs. laminate flooring

People are often confused about the difference between engineered wood compared to laminate flooring and want to know which one is better as a floor covering.

The main differences

Neither engineered wood nor laminate flooring is solid wood, though they may look like natural wood. Engineered wood has a veneer of natural wood on top of a solid wood core board, which makes engineered flooring look closer to the natural look and feel of wood. It also feels warmer and more natural than laminates.

Laminate flooring has an image of wood printed on an MDF-like core board. A laminate plank has a transparent wear layer on top, then a stabilisation layer just underneath so that it will wear well. The appearance of modern high-quality laminate floors is so close to wood that it is difficult to tell that it is printed unless you examine the floor very closely.

Variations in quality

Like all floor coverings, laminates and engineered wood vary in quality, largely dependent upon their manufacturer and price point. Although all engineered wood has a wood veneer, the thickness of it can vary, and the quality of the a solid wood core board can vary, with some of the cheaper engineered woods having a plywood base.

Laminate flooring ranges from inexpensive 7mm thickness up to 12mm thick ones. Engineered wood flooring ranges from around 13mm to 20mm. Thicker does not necessarily mean better quality, as the quality of the wood is more important in engineered wood than the thickness.

Maintenance

Both engineered wood and laminates are easy to clean. A brush or vacuum cleaner removes dirt and debris and a mop can be used to clean the floors. Cleaning products, brushes and vacuum cleaners must be approved for laminate or engineered flooring use.

If engineered wood floors become worn, they can be lightly sanded and varnished or oiled with approved products to restore them. This can be done a number of times.

If laminate flooring is worn, it may need replacing. If the worn area is limited, planks can be removed and replaced with new ones provided you can find matching laminate. If dents occur, colour-matching putty can be used to fill small holes, but these could still be noticed.

Water resistance

Engineered wood has better water resistance than solid hardwood. If the laminate is installed so that there are no exposed seams, it will be very water resistant, especially an aqua rated laminate flooring, which is suitable for kitchens and bathrooms.

Adding value to the home

If you’re making a decision with a view towards selling your home in the future, engineered wood floors in good condition are generally more likely to do this than laminates, although both can have a positive effect.

Cost

Laminate flooring costs less than engineered flooring, but again, be sure to weigh up how much you want to spend against the quality of flooring you’re looking for.

Laminate is quicker to install than engendered wood too, so you will likely pay less for fitting than with engineered flooring.

So which should I choose?

If your budget is restricted, choose laminate, but go for a high quality-one with a realistic wood image.

If you love the look and feel of real hardwood floors, but want a cheaper alternative, choose engineered wood.

Engineered wood may cost more to buy and install, but it should last longer than laminate, so it may be a better long-term investment.

For further information and advice about the qualities of engineered wood and laminate flooring, why not talk to us at Home Style Carpets & Flooring?

Does laminate flooring fade in sunlight?

Most modern laminates are coated with aluminium oxide, which prevents fading. However, some cheap laminate flooring installed near a large window that receives strong sunlight for prolonged periods may show signs of fading.

In this case use blinds, UV protection glass windows or curtains that block the sun, although it is perhaps better to buy a quality laminate that will not fade.

Manufacturer’s guarantee

Some makes of laminate have a manufacturer’s guarantee that their laminates will not fade in the sun. If you are installing laminate flooring in a sunny room, use laminates with a no-fade warranty.

Guarantee periods can be about 50 years, which effectively means that the laminate is guaranteed not to fade during its lifetime.

Guarantees that deal with fading and wear are usually dependent on the floor being installed properly. The floor must also be maintained by regular cleaning, but only with equipment and cleaning products suitable for laminate floors.

Laminate versus hardwood

Many people prefer the natural look of hardwood, but you need to be aware of that hardwood can discolour in strong sunlight. For example, cherrywood can form dark spots when exposed the sun. Hardwood can be treated to lessen fading, but some discolouration may occur.

Laminate flooring looks like wood, but is cheaper and quality laminates will not fade in the sun.

If you do install hardwood flooring, make sure that the windows are covered, or cover the area exposed to the sun with a rug or furniture. You can coat the hardwood floor with a UV inhibitor which protects the floor from the sun’s UV rays that cause fading.

Can sun-faded laminates be fixed?

If your laminate is the type that fades from the sun, there are several things you can do if it fades. If the fading is in an area near a window, a rug can cover the faded section. Laminates can be painted over and then coated with a sealant to protect the floor.

If you can find a match for the laminate flooring, the affected area can be pulled up and replaced by new laminate planks.

Buy good quality laminate flooring

Prevention is better than cure, and good quality laminate flooring will not fade in the sun. What’s more, it will be more durable, ensuring you get more for your money.

Modern laminate floors look like real wood. They are quick to install and can be placed over most floor areas without the need for special preparation. As long as the surface is dry, flat and clear of debris, laminate flooring can be easily installed.

Once in place, laminate floors can be walked on straight away, and are easy to maintain. A quick vacuum and cleaning with a mop will keep the floor clean and dry. Laminate flooring is ideal for areas where pets and children walk and make a mess, which can soon be cleared up.

If you want a stylish looking floor that will not fade in the sun, choose quality laminate flooring in your North Wales home.

Do weeds grow through artificial grass?

Provided that artificial grass is laid correctly, weeds should not grow through it. To make sure that the grass is laid correctly, it’s advisable to use a professional installer who will make sure your grass keeps weeds at bay.

Installing artificial grass the right way

If the grass is laid over an existing lawn area, you should start by removing all the existing turf. This is easily done with a turf-cutting tool. Then, lay a weed membrane over the top of the remaining soil and fill the area with crushed stone. The ideal size for each stone is a little bit less that an inch.

Make sure that the area is level and that the stones are spread evenly. A rake can be used for this. Over the top of the stones, place another layer of weed membrane.

Professional artificial lawn installers may have variations on the above method. The main principles are to install the grass so that weeds cannot grow through it and water can drain off the lawn. Weeds need water to grow, and proper drainage means that they do not have access to it. Weeds also need nutrients from the soil, so the weed membrane makes sure that weeds cannot find soil to feed off.

Artificial grass has a tightly woven backing. This keeps the blades upright and drains water from the surface to the subsurface. The backing is designed so that only water and not weeds can pass through the backing.

What if weeds do grow through the artificial grass?

If artificial grass has been incorrectly installed or has not got an effective backing, weeds could grow through the grass. You could pull up the artificial grass to repair the stone and weed membrane layers. If you don’t want to do this, the weeds can be pulled up in the same way as with grass. Afterwards treat the lawn with weed killer – a pet-friendly variety if you have animals.

Surface weeds

You may spot weeds and think that they have grown through your artificial grass, but they might only be surface weeds. Airborne seeds carried by birds and the wind can settle on the artificial grass and start to grow.

Simply use a leaf blower or stiff brush to get rid of the surface weeds. If you regularly brush the lawn, seeds will be removed and surface weeds will not appear. You can also cut back trees and hedges that hang over the lawn and drop seeds.

Some users cover the lawn with a pet-friendly weed killer annually or biannually to prevent surface weeds appearing.

The beauty of artificial grass

Properly installed, artificial grass creates both a good-looking and practical lawn. With regular maintenance, you will not be troubled by weeds, and compared to natural grass, the time taken for maintenance is small. Regularly brushing the grass and spraying it with water to clean it will make sure that your artificial lawn will give you and your household pleasure for many years.

Does artificial grass need maintenance?

People choose artificial grass because it does not need regularly mowing like real grass does and no fertilisers or lawn feed are required. However, that’s not to say that artificial grass doesn’t need some degree of maintenance.

How often does artificial grass need cleaning?

Artificial grass installed outdoors needs regular cleaning. How often this is done is dependent on a number of factors. If you have pets and small children, the grass will need to be cleaned more often than if you don’t.

If there are bushes or trees overhanging the grass, debris will fall on it. In autumn, leaves will accumulate on the lawn too.

Regular spraying and brushing are all that is generally needed to keep the grass clean. This should take a lot less time than maintaining real grass, and on wet days, the rain will do a lot of the job for you.

It’s a good idea to spray the grass with a spray gun attached to a hose about once a week. A light spray will remove debris and dust.

Leaves, dust and dirt

Most everyday dirt can be removed with a brush with stiff bristles, but don’t use one with steel bristles as this could damage the grass. Leaves can be removed with a leaf blower.

Fixing non-erect grass

If you find that the grass is not erect, use a brush to sweep against the grain to make the grass stand up.

Pet waste

Artificial grass is suitable for homes that have pets, but if a dog uses the grass as a toilet, use a dog poop bag to scoop up the dirt, then hose the area where the dog has been.

If you are not sure where a pet has urinated on the lawn, don’t worry, as the weekly spray of the lawn will remove it.

You can also buy artificial grass cleaners that disinfect, cleans and destroys odours. Simply spray on the grass to remove all smells.

You could designate an area of a flower bed as a pet toilet. Clear the area of all plants, then train your dog to only use that area.

Persistent stains

If the lawn is used a lot, spills are bound to happen. Drinks spill, chewing gum gets trodden in, and small cuts and grazes drip blood onto the lawn.

Luckily, artificial grass is stain resistant and most spills can be simply rinsed off with water, especially if they are rinsed away soon after they happen. If a stain remains after using water, use a mild natural soap to remove it. A mix of half water and half vinegar acts as a bacteria remover.

Chewing gum or food can be removed with a putty knife or similar. Do not use a sharp knife as this could cut the grass.

If there is thick snow, only remove the top layer, the rest will drain away when the snow melts.

Lastly, remember that burns cannot be cleaned up, so do not smoke or use a barbecue on artificial grass.

With just a small amount of regular maintenance, your artificial grass should last for years.

New carpet designs inspired by architecture

Zaha Hadid Design has created new carpet patterns inspired by buildings designed by the late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid.

These include the futuristic-looking building of the MAXXI National Museum, which won the RIBA Stirling Prize, and the Nanjing International Youth Cultural Centre in China.

The themes of Hadid's architecture are striated lines, pixelated landscapes, ribbon-shaped projections and organic shapes. These principles have been incorporated into the carpet designs. The carpets have been manufactured by Royal Thai, hand tufted on Axminster looms.

Zaha Habid Studio said:

“Patterns within each grouping capture Hadid's signature use of interweaving, layering and play with light and shadow. The designs introduce custom new colours for Royal Thai commercial carpets, with hues of turquoise, red and green in their colour palettes."

There are 22 carpets in the range, which were exhibited at The Zaha Hadid London Gallery during the London Design Festival earlier this month.

This is not the only carpet and rug design to have been showcased at the festival. Others included carpets by fashion designer Jonathan Saunders and 3D Printed rugs by Netherlands designers. These and the Zaha Hadid carpets are exclusive designs.

High profile exhibitions that feature experimental new carpet designs are noticed by carpet manufacturers looking for design trends. In the future, Zaha Hadid carpets by Royal Thai still may not become widely available, but other carpet patterns influenced by them may appear around the country and find their way to a flooring company in the Chester and Wrexham area.