What to choose: laminate, solid or laminate flooring?

Those of you who have laid parquet flooring at home surely know that there are 3 options to choose from: laminate flooring, solid flooring and laminate flooring. But what is the difference between them, why do we choose one and not the other, what conditions require a particular choice? Without claiming to give the perfect solution, I propose to present pros and cons for each choice.

But first describe the variants.

Laminate flooring is a synthetic product made of several layers stacked on top of each other. The wood look is given by an image of the wood, basically a photograph or drawing over which a layer of varnish is applied. The image is very real and for an untrained eye, very hard to distinguish from wood. It reproduces the natural pattern of the wood, with grain, knots, pores, but also some effects created by finishes made on the wood, such as signs of ageing or deterioration of the wood over time.

This image is placed over a wood-derived panel, MDF or HDS (high density panels). The sandwich is completed with layers of resin and adhesive. Laminate flooring panels are made to fit easily, on the principle of nut and feder (lamb and uluc).

Laminate flooring can be bought at DIY stores such as Dedeman, Leroy Merlin, Praktiker, Hornbach or Baumax. Laminate flooring is the cheapest type of flooring.

Massive parquet is made of solid wood, being practically a single piece of wood.

Harder woods are used, oak, acacia,

exotic essences, because they have to withstand the pressure and mechanical aggression of the traffic. The solid pieces of flooring are also built to fit together, but there are also straight elements that are glued or nailed to a backing.

Layered parquet looks like a combination of the two. That is to say, it is a multi-layered product, but unlike laminate flooring, which is synthetic, it is made of layers of wood.

Basically, what you see is a layer of solid wood obtained by cutting or peeling from a log, thicker than a technical veneer, to withstand more maintenance (scraping and repainting). This layer is glued on top of layers of technical veneer, laid perpendicular to each other, as in plywood. This composite is then machined and finished just like solid wood flooring.

Each of these options has its advantages and disadvantages. Laminate flooring has the advantage of a very good price, versatility and the fact that it is very easy to install and can even be the subject of a DIY project. There are several grades of laminate flooring, depending on the quality. Specialists do not recommend installing cheap laminate flooring in areas with high humidity such as the bathroom or kitchen. Cheap laminate flooring has low moisture and scratch resistance. A cheap laminate floor can be installed for example in the bedroom or other such more protected areas.

The main disadvantage of this laminate flooring is the unnatural, "cracking" noise it makes when you step on it. It is different from wood flooring and sometimes quite loud. It can be mitigated by using quality laminate flooring and materials that sound insulate and absorb noise. However, no matter how well it is fitted, it will never sound like wood.

Solid and laminate flooring are quite similar, even in price, but they also have elements that differentiate them. Solid parquet is always the most desirable, but sometimes hard to afford because of the price. It has natural beauty and "warmth", and with proper maintenance will last a long time. It should be known, however, that being a solid wood, it also has restrictions and for some disadvantages. It has dimensional variations depending on humidity, so it is not recommended for the ground floor of houses or for installation in cellars, bathrooms or kitchens. Also because of the humidity it is never mounted directly on the concrete floor.

It is less resistant to mechanical shocks, so this should be considered before fitting in areas where shoes with spikes are worn or where there is a risk of heavy objects falling on the floor. Holes or bevels may appear on the surface of the flooring as a result of such mechanical stress. Larger pets are no friend of solid wood flooring either.

Unlike solid parquet, laminate is much more dimensionally stable due to its construction (perpendicular arrangement of layers). It can be installed without problems on the ground floor and in other areas where solid flooring is not recommended. It can be installed directly on the concrete floor if it has a maximum humidity of 4%. It is mechanically more resistant, but it should not be forgotten that the first layer is also a solid wood layer.

As far as installation is concerned, it is best that in the case of solid wood flooring it is done by professionals. Because of the dimensional variation, a distance should be left next to the wall to allow for expansion. If such areas are not left, the flooring will swell. In fact, it is said to have been installed by a good team of professionals if, for 4 seasons from the time of installation, the floor has not had any visible changes (swelling or shrinkage).

Laminate flooring can also be installed as a DIY project, but it's not as simple as laminate. You need to have some knowledge and it's good to research it thoroughly before you start. Or, better still, call in professional teams.

The laminate flooring is finished, the only thing you need to do is fit it. Solid or laminate flooring can be finished in the factory or after installation. Production finishing is done with oils or varnishes that are highly resistant to scratching or mechanical shock. Finishing after assembly can be done with wax, oil or special high hardness traffic varnishes.

Finishing with wax if oil is very beautiful, but less resistant compared to varnish. However, as there is a lot to be said about finishing materials for parquet, it is best to leave the subject for another time.

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