Had to choose between engineered hardwood and laminate for my living room

I finally got around to redoing my living room floor last month and was stuck between engineered hardwood and laminate. The laminate was about $3.50 a square foot and way more scratch resistant with kids around. But the engineered hardwood at $6.50 a square foot just felt nicer underfoot and added more value to the house. I went with the engineered stuff and so far it's held up okay, though my son's hockey puck left a small dent already. Anyone else have to make this call and regret their choice?

2 comments

2 Comments

linda5001mo ago

I went with laminate and honestly my biggest regret is that my coffee table now sounds like a bowling alley every time I set my mug down. The scratch resistance is great for my disaster of a dog, but the hollow echo drives me nuts. My buddy did engineered hardwood and his place sounds way more civilized even with his kids doing kid stuff. Guess you trade dents for dignity either way.

ryanh561mo ago

Does that hollow sound bug you enough to hear it every time you set a cup down? I feel like laminate is fine until you realize you're living in a drum kit. Hardwood might take a few scratches but at least your house doesn't sound like a gymnasium.