How to Choose Between Wood and Laminate

Wood or laminate is one of the most common decisions people wrestle with in a flooring showroom, and it's a decision that really benefits from seeing the products in person. Both have genuine strengths — the right call comes down to your budget, your lifestyle, and the room in question.

Understanding the Key Differences

Real wood flooring — solid or engineered — is made from natural timber. Engineered wood bonds a hardwood surface layer to a stable plywood or HDF core, which makes it hold up better against moisture and movement than solid wood does. Laminate, by contrast, is a photographic image sealed under a hard resin layer on top of an HDF board. It can look convincing, but it isn't wood.

Pick up a sample and the difference is obvious straight away. Real wood shows visible grain variation, has more depth, and feels warmer underfoot than laminate quite manages to replicate. Modern laminate has come a long way — some high-end embossed textures are genuinely hard to tell apart at a glance — but the feel underfoot and the sound when you walk on it still give it away.

Ask a showroom advisor to let you compare samples side by side, and look at the board edges as well as the surface — you'll see the construction layers clearly and know exactly what you're buying.

Performance and Durability

Laminate generally holds up better against everyday scratches and scuffs, which makes it a practical pick for a busy family home. The AC rating system (AC1 to AC5) tells you how wear-resistant a laminate is — AC3 or above for residential use, AC4 or AC5 if the room sees heavier or commercial-style traffic. Our laminate range lists the AC rating on every product page, so it's worth checking before you buy.

Real wood can be sanded and refinished, which means it recovers from damage rather than needing replacement. Laminate can't be sanded — once the surface is damaged, that board's done. Over 20 or 30 years, a good engineered wood floor can actually work out more economical, simply because it can be restored rather than replaced outright.

Moisture matters too, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Most laminate isn't recommended for wet rooms unless it's specifically rated waterproof, and while engineered wood copes with moderate moisture better than solid wood, neither belongs anywhere with standing water. For a bathroom or utility room, LVT flooring is the better call — fully waterproof, and available in wood looks realistic enough that you won't feel like you've compromised.

Cost Considerations

Laminate is typically cheaper per square metre than engineered wood, though both categories span a wide range. Entry-level laminate sits at the low end, while premium laminate with realistic textures and longer boards can creep up toward entry-level engineered wood pricing. Fitting costs are broadly similar either way.

• Laminate suits a tighter budget without sacrificing much on looks
• Engineered wood adds long-term value and can be refinished
• Solid wood commands a premium and does best in stable, dry rooms
• Both can be floated over underlay, which keeps fitting straightforward
• Underfloor heating compatibility varies by product — check with the showroom before you commit

Making the Final Decision

It usually comes down to how long you're planning to stay and what you want from the floor. Renting out a property, or updating a room you know you'll redo in a few years? Quality laminate is the sensible call. Investing in a home for the long haul, wanting a floor that adds real value and can be maintained for decades? Engineered wood earns its extra cost.

Take samples of both home. Live with them in the room for a day or two, check them in morning and evening light, and actually walk on them. That direct comparison, in your own space, tends to be the most reliable way to land on the right answer — and if you're still torn, our showroom team can talk it through with you in person.