The Difference Between Wood Veneer and Laminate Flooring: Part 2 – Engineered Hardwood

Haute Plank has solved the problems associated with laminate flooring...introducing, Maison Plank, the better-than-laminate alternative.

Part 2: Engineered Hardwood Flooring (Wood Veneer)

In Part 1 of this series, we broke down the structure, benefits, and limitations of laminate flooring. Now in Part 2, we take a closer look at engineered hardwood—specifically wood veneer flooring—and how it stacks up as a stylish, durable alternative. If you’re looking for the warmth of real wood with modern practicality, this one’s for you.

Wood Veneer vs. Laminate: Key Differences

Wood veneer flooring features a real hardwood layer bonded to a stable, high-density core. Laminate uses a printed image layer over synthetic materials. Both are layered floors, but only one offers the texture, depth, and organic beauty of real wood.

Inside Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood blends the elegance of natural materials with structural performance:

• Real Wood Surface: A genuine hardwood veneer gives you the warmth, grain, and richness only real wood can offer.

• Advanced Protection: High-performance finishes—like our HP Titanium finish—deliver excellent scratch, dent, and moisture resistance.

• Stabilizing Core: We use Marine Birch Plywood for its unrivaled strength, water resistance, and long-term stability.

• Installation Flexibility: Works with a range of methods, including glue-down, nail-down, or float (in some instances like Haute Plank's Maison Plank line).

Advantages of Engineered Hardwood (Wood Veneer)

• Authentic Aesthetic: Unlike laminate, which only mimics the look, engineered hardwood is the real deal.

• Durability: Holds up against wear, pets, kids, and daily life when finished with advanced coatings.

• Sustainable Materials: Crafted from responsibly sourced wood—not plastic prints.

• Boosts Property Value: Real wood underfoot is always a strong resale point.

What to Keep in Mind

• Water Resistance Varies: Traditional engineered hardwood isn't waterproof. But options like Maison Plank are changing the game, offering up to 24-hour water resistance.

• Climate Sensitivity: As with all real wood, maintaining consistent humidity helps prevent expansion or veneer cracking.

• Mid-Range Pricing: More affordable than solid hardwood, more premium than laminate—but built to last longer and look better doing it.

Laminate: A Quick Recap from Part 1

Laminate flooring has earned its spot for affordability, scratch resistance, and ease of installation. But when it comes to warmth, texture, and lasting appeal, it falls short of wood veneer. Its synthetic nature means no refinishing, limited lifespan, and a noticeably different feel underfoot.

Enter Maison Plank: Where Performance Meets Real Wood

Maison Plank engineered hardwood takes everything great about engineered wood and pushes it further:

• Real Wood Veneer: Genuine beauty and warmth—not just a picture of it.

• 24-Hour Water Resistance: A major upgrade over both traditional engineered hardwood and laminate.

• Scratch & Dent Resistance: Built for real life—kids, pets, furniture and all.

• Laminate-Level Simplicity: Click-and-lock installation that’s fast, clean, and straightforward.

Discover the Maison Plank Advantage

Maison Plank isn’t just better than laminate—it redefines what engineered hardwood can be.

Real wood. Water-resistant for 24 hours. Scratch and dent resistant. Affordable and easy to install.

Explore the Maison Plank collection online or visit our Scottsdale showroom. We’ll help you find the perfect floor—no compromises necessary.