Engineered Wood Flooring: Natural Wood Grain and Texture
Engineered wood flooring is an alternative to solid wood flooring, featuring a top layer of hardwood veneer, a stable core and a backing layer.
- An engineered hardwood floor offers the beauty and natural variations of authentic wood grain, typically at a lower cost than solid wood flooring.
- The core material gives engineered hardwood flooring structural stability that minimizes the expansion and contraction moisture can cause in solid wood.
- Depending on the veneer layer, some engineered hardwood flooring is suitable for refinishing, offering long-term beauty.
Our hardwood flooring guide helps you compare engineered hardwood to solid hardwood.
While wood-look laminate is most common, you can also find laminate that looks like tile.
Engineered Hardwood Appearance and Texture
- A real wood layer offers a natural look and unique grain patterns from plank to plank.
- The flooring has the feel of natural wood and texture of real wood grain.
Engineered Hardwood Floors and Moisture
- Waterproof engineered hardwood is often suitable for bathrooms and laundry rooms.
- Water-resistant engineered hardwood can work in living spaces, as well as kitchens and basements.
- Standard engineered hardwood is suitable in bedrooms, living spaces and areas where moisture isn’t a concern.
Water resistance, waterproof properties and room suitability for any flooring vary by product and installation. Follow the manufacturer’s specifications and installation steps.
Engineered Wood Flooring Durability
- The real wood veneer may show scratches and dents over time, depending on factors like the wood species and finish.
- Some engineered hardwood has a scratch-resistant finish.
- A Janka hardness rating tells you how hard — and resistant to dents — the veneer is, with higher numbers indicating a harder wood.
Example Janka Ratings by Wood Species
| Janka Hardness Rating* | Species |
| 950 | Cherry |
| 1060 | Walnut |
| 1360 | White Oak |
| 2400 | Hickory |
| 5103 | Fossilized Bamboo |
*Select examples only, hardness ratings may vary.
Laminate: A Hardwood Floor Look in Scratch-Resistant Flooring
Laminate flooring is wood-look flooring with a durable decorative layer over a stable wood-based core and a backing layer.
- The décor layer offers a wood look at a more economical price than engineered or solid wood flooring.
- A durable surface provides scratch resistance.
Read our guide to laminate flooring to see details on your laminate options.
Laminate Appearance
- Realistic images replicate the look of wood surfaces and grain patterns.
- Embossed in register (EIR) laminate adds a realistic feel to the authentic look, with a texture that closely matches the grain pattern on the décor layer.
- Standard embossing and matte finishes offer more texture options.
Laminate Floors and Moisture
- Waterproof laminate is typically suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms and basements.
- Water-resistant laminate works for low-moisture areas where it doesn’t face regular, extended contact with liquids.
Laminate Flooring Durability
- The durable surface on laminate flooring adds protection from scratches and stains while making cleaning easier.
- An Abrasion Class (AC) rating tells you how well the laminate stands up to wear from foot traffic.
AC Rating Meanings
| Abrasion Class | Use |
| AC1 | Light-traffic residential |
| AC2 | Moderate-traffic residential |
| AC3 | Higher-traffic residential |
| AC4 | Heavy-traffic residential, some commercial |
| AC5 | Heavy-traffic commercial |
Flooring can contribute to chemical emissions in indoor air. GREENGUARD Gold certified products are tested to meet strict limits for chemical emissions, making the certification a helpful way to identify flooring that supports healthier indoor air.
Decision Tips for Choosing Engineered Hardwood vs. Laminate
While all floors and homes are different, these tips can help you match either engineered wood or laminate flooring to your needs.
- Appearance and Texture: If you’re looking for an alternative to hardwood but want the look of real wood as well as the variation and feel of natural wood grain, consider engineered hardwood.
- Long-Term Value: To enjoy the natural warmth and beauty of wood for years to come, look for engineered wood flooring that allows refinishing.
- Scratch Resistance: For active homes and those with kids or pets, laminate lets you have the look of wood with a durable, scratch-resistant floor.
- Best Flooring for Pets: Engineered hardwood and laminate both offer pet-friendly options, often featuring scratch resistance and a waterproof surface.
- Waterproofing: When installed properly, waterproof laminate offers top protection from drips, spills and accidents, and is typically suitable for basements, kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms.
- Maintenance: The durable surface on laminate flooring resists stains and makes cleanup relatively easy.
- Purchase Cost: With lower-cost options, laminate can be a budget-friendly way to add durable wood-look flooring to your home.
- Indoor Air Quality: Look for engineered hardwood that’s GREENGUARD Gold certified or laminate that’s GREENGUARD Gold certified — tested to meet strict chemical emission limits — to help support healthier indoor air.
You can install engineered hardwood or install laminate flooring yourself, but if you don’t have time or prefer professional installation, take a look at our flooring installation services.
Engineered Flooring vs Laminate Flooring Key Comparisons
| Engineered Wood Flooring | Laminate Flooring | |
| Material and Construction |
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| Appearance & Texture |
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| Water Protection |
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| Room Suitability |
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| Scratch Resistance |
| Good scratch resistance due to the durable surface |
| Dent Resistance |
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| Suitability for Pets | Pet-friendly options available | Pet-friendly options available |
| Suitability for Refinishing | Dependent on veneer thickness | Not suitable |
| Typical Installation Types |
| Click-lock |
| Maintenance Requirements |
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| Price Range | Typically about $4.00/sq ft and up | Typically, about $1.00/sq ft and up |
*Varies by product
Use our Flooring Visualizer to see different flooring options in showrooms or upload a photo of your own space.
Engineered Hardwood vs. Laminate: Which Will You Choose?
Whether you prefer the look and feel of natural wood grain with engineered hardwood or a value-conscious laminate with a realistic wood appearance and high scratch resistance, find your new floor on Lowes.com. Shop by floor type, wood species, price range and more to create the perfect look for any room. Or visit your local Lowe’s and talk to a Lowe’s Red Vest associate. They can show you flooring samples and help you choose flooring that fits your home and lifestyle and help you set up professional flooring installation.