Engineered Wood Flooring vs Laminate: Cost, Durability, Installation

Both floors look like wood. The difference only becomes apparent after 5 years — and when a pipe bursts in the bathroom. Here is an honest comparison. ## Laminate - Price: £8–£30/m² + underlay and installation £6–£10/m² - Durability: 10–20 years; class AC4 for heavy use - Moisture: hates enemies — flooding = replacement - Installation: simplest, often DIY ## Engineered Wood Flooring - Price: £18–£60/m² + installation £8–£16/m² - Durability: 20–40 years, can be sanded/refinished 2–3 times (top wood layer) - Moisture: more stable than solid wood, but the finish must still be respected - Installation: floating or glued; for gluing — professional required ## Recommendations - Living room, bedrooms, long-term plan: engineered wood — the annual cost works out lower than laminate. - Children's room, rental, budget: laminate AC4. - Kitchen: waterproof laminate or tiles — wood in the kitchen can be a gamble. - Bathroom: neither of the above — anti-slip tiles. Compare offers for installation with or without materials — on LocalTrader you specify who does the purchasing.