Main Differences Between Wood Flooring Types

Choosing the style of flooring that best matches your home can be quite the headache. Funneling preferred appearance, practicality, and comfort down into that single style of planks from hundreds of choices is not an easy feat. Above all though, one must consider the different types of wood flooring that would suit your needs and home the most.

What are the different types of wood flooring?

The different types vary in terms of composition, cost, appearance, durability, moisture resistance, maintenance, and ease of installation; the list continues on. All of which are important factors to consider, but we'll summarize the details.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate is synthesized and constructed from numerous layers of varied material compressed together. The layers include a melamine bottom later (foundation and moisture resistance), a high density fiberboard core layer (stability), a wood-aesthetic visual layer, a clear melamine resin topcoat (protection), and an underlayment (protection). The end product emanates a convincing look of natural hardwood and features solid durability, low-maintenance, and easy installation for a more affordable price.

• Synthetic, Layered Construction

• Non-Resilient/Rigid

• Moisture Resistant

• Scratch Resistant

• Cannot Be Refinished

• 10-20 Years Lifespan

• Most Affordable

Best Selling Styles: K10411 (Mission Peak), K2004 (Glacier), K36332 (Juniper Lake)

SH7055 & SH7071 (Nordic Oak Collection)

Solid Hardwood

Nothing can top the long-standing flooring option in terms of quality, longevity, and elegance. Fabricated straight from real timber, solid hardwood can last for hundreds of years due to its thickness and the ability to repeatedly sand and refinish to maintain

Although generally the more expensive option and more susceptible to scratches compared to laminate flooring, the beauty of solid hardwood is extremely durable, timeless, and environmentally friendly to boot.

• Real Wood, Constructed from Single Piece of Wood

• Non-Resilient/Rigid

• Moderate Moisture Resistant

• Prone to Scratches and Denting

• Can Be Refinished

• 75-100+ Years Lifespan

• Most Expensive

Best Selling Styles: JY002 (Jatoba), JY003 (Hickory), JY005 (Big Leaf of Acacia)

KS12208 (Solid Acacia-Darkish Walnut)

Engineered Hardwood

Falling in between laminate flooring and solid hardwood in cost, engineered is similar to laminate in its layered construction and similar to solid wood in its natural wood composition. Its core layer consists of multiple plywood layers that are fused together using heat, glue, and pressure, followed by a decorative wood layer also known as the veneer layer. Engineered hardwood is generally more resistant to moisture compared to solid hardwood, but is susceptible to scratches. However, engineered hardwood features a long lifespan, the ability to be refinished, and easy maintenance.

• Real Wood, Layered Construction

• Non-Resilient/Rigid

• Moderate Moisture Resistant

• Prone to Scratches and Denting

• Can Be Refinished

• 20-100 Years Lifespan

• More affordable than solid hardwood, more expensive than synthetic flooring

Best Selling Styles: AC-002 (Acacia), BC-003 (Birch), EBE013 (Country White),

HK-005 (Hickory), MP-001 (Maple), OT-001 (Euro Oak #1),

OT-003 (Euro Oak #3), OT-006 (Euro Oak #6), OT-011 (Euro Oak #11)

Engineered Vinyl Flooring

Engineered vinyl flooring includes both SPC (stone-plastic composite) and WPC (wood-plastic composite) vinyl floors. The main feature of these two types of rigid core luxury vinyl flooring is moisture resistance; the core layer is waterproof and prevents warping. Both are durable, scratch- and stain-resistant, fairly thin, and easy to maintain.

• Synthetic, Layered Construction

• Resilient

• Completely Waterproof

• Scratch-Resistant, Prone to Denting

• Can Be Refinished

• 20 Years Lifespan

• More affordable than hardwood, more expensive than laminate

Best Selling Styles: K700716WPC (Aurora), K890284WPC (Pacific Sunset)

SH7055WPC, SH7071WPC

SH1515-3SPC (Highland Oak Fusion), SH369E-SPC (Grey Monk Fusion)

SH9016SPC (Fusion)

Overall Composition of Wood Flooring

Here at KZ Kitchen Cabinet & Stone, we offer over 100 styles of flooring options in laminate flooring, natural hardwood, engineered hardwood, and luxury vinyl. Our vast showroom provides a helpful visual and plenty of samples for those, such as yourself, who are looking to make the best choice of action for their home.

From here, we hope it is easier in making a decision and you will be stepping in on good results.