Timber vs Laminate Flooring: Real Wood or the Look-alike?
Timber vs laminate flooring comes down to one honest question: do you want real wood, or a convincing look-alike at a lower price? Both suit Perth homes and both can look terrific in a room, but they are fundamentally different products. Timber is genuine hardwood, with the depth, longevity and value that come with it. Laminate is a photographic timber layer over a dense core, engineered to look the part for far less. This guide compares them fairly so you can decide which is right for your rooms and budget.
The quick answer
Choose timber if you want an authentic wood floor with natural character, long life and a lift to your home’s value, and you are comfortable investing for it. Choose laminate if you want the timber look at the lowest cost and are happy with a hard-wearing look-alike. For many Perth budgets, laminate is the practical winner; for a feature home or a long-term hold, timber earns its keep.
What each one is
Timber flooring means real wood: engineered timber (a hardwood wear layer on a stable core, ideal over a Perth slab), or genuine solid boards, in premium species such as the iconic Western Australian Jarrah and Marri and other native hardwoods like Blackbutt, Spotted Gum and Tasmanian Oak. Because the surface is genuine wood, it has real grain and warmth and, with a thick enough wear layer or a solid board, can be sanded and recoated over its life.
Laminate flooring is a high-density fibreboard core topped with a photographic timber-look decor and a tough, clear wear layer. Modern laminate is hard, scratch-resistant and comes in a huge range of looks, but it is not real wood and cannot be sanded back.
Timber vs laminate: head to head
| Timber | Laminate | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Real hardwood | Photographic timber look |
| Look and feel | Genuine grain, depth and warmth | Convincing look-alike; consistent pattern |
| Can be re-sanded? | Yes (solid, or engineered with a thick wear layer) | No; replaced rather than resurfaced |
| Longevity | Decades, refreshed by re-sanding | Long-lasting, then replaced |
| Adds home value | Real timber is a recognised drawcard | Practical, less of a value lift |
| Cost (supplied & laid, ex GST) | from $86/m² (engineered) | from $47/m² |
Cost: the honest gap
Laminate is the clear value option, from $47/m² supplied and laid, while real timber starts from $86/m² for engineered and rises to $115/m² and $135/m² for premium species engineered boards. That is roughly double, and it buys you genuine wood, greater longevity and the ability to re-sand. Whether that gap is worth it depends on how long you will keep the home and how much the real thing matters to you. For the full breakdown, see our Perth flooring cost guide.
Looks: how close is laminate?
Closer than it used to be. Today’s better laminates have realistic embossing and matte finishes that read convincingly as timber in a room, especially underfoot and at a glance. But real timber still wins on depth and individuality: no two boards are identical, and the grain has a genuine three-dimensional quality that print cannot fully reproduce. In strong natural light, a discerning eye will usually tell them apart.
Longevity and value
This is timber’s strongest argument. A real timber floor can last for decades and be sanded and recoated to look new again, which laminate cannot. Real timber is also a recognised selling point that can add to a Perth home’s appeal, whereas laminate is seen as a practical, budget-friendly finish. If you are renovating to sell soon, laminate’s value-for-money makes sense; if this is your long-term home, timber’s lifespan and re-sandability change the maths.
Care and daily life
Both are straightforward to live with. Laminate is very forgiving of scratches and scuffs thanks to its hard wear layer, and a water-resistant version copes with the occasional spill, though its core can swell if water sits too long. Timber is hard-wearing but, as real wood, can scratch and mark and prefers to stay dry, and it rewards a little more care with a floor that ages beautifully. Neither belongs in a constantly wet room; for kitchens and laundries, a waterproof hybrid is the better call, which our laminate vs hybrid comparison covers.
What about Perth’s concrete slabs?
Both suit slab-on-ground Perth homes. Laminate floats over the slab on an underlay, while engineered timber is usually direct-stuck for a solid, authentic feel. Solid timber can also be laid over a slab. Whichever you choose, a flat, sound slab gives the best result, which we assess at the on-site measure.
So, which should you choose?
Choose laminate for the best value and a convincing timber look on a tighter budget, especially in bedrooms and dry living areas. Choose timber for a genuine, lasting wood floor with real character and long-term value in a home you plan to keep. Our best flooring for Perth homes guide sets both against every other option, and our three-way engineered vs laminate vs hybrid comparison puts them beside hybrid too. New skirting boards will finish whichever you pick.
Compare real numbers for your rooms with the online quote tool. Perth Flooring & Skirting is a local, fully insured business based in Pearsall, and the same team that helps you choose supplies and lays the floor.
Timber vs laminate flooring: frequently asked questions
Is timber or laminate flooring better?
Timber is better for authenticity, longevity and home value; laminate is better for value and a hard-wearing timber look on a budget. The right choice depends on your budget and how long you will keep the home.
Is laminate cheaper than timber?
Yes, considerably. Laminate starts from $47/m² supplied and laid, while real timber starts from $86/m² for engineered and more for premium species.
Can laminate be sanded like timber?
No. Laminate cannot be re-sanded; when it wears out it is replaced. Solid timber and engineered timber with a thick wear layer can be sanded and recoated.
Does real timber add more value to a home?
Generally yes. Real timber flooring is a recognised drawcard in Perth homes, while laminate is viewed as a practical, budget finish.
How do I get a price for my home?
Use the online quote tool for a fast, no-obligation estimate on your actual rooms.