Hardwood vs. Laminate Wood Flooring
Every homeowner should know and realize the importance of having good flooring in their homes. Flooring is a permanent element of a home and should be taken seriously in term of important investment. Unlike carpets and rugs which can be changed frequently, every kind of flooring needs a much more of your thought process and time investment. Whatever options you prefer for your home flooring, make sure you choose superior quality that fits your budget. Floors are the most used surfaces and keeping in mind what type of wear-tear they go through or how much traffic they are exposed to, we should go for an option which can be durable and long lasting.
Two flooring options including hardwood and laminate have their own pros and cons. Here is what all you need to consider before choosing any of these options.
What is Laminated wooden flooring?
Laminate flooring (also called floating wood tile) is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product fused together with a lamination process. Laminate flooring simulates wood with a photographic applique layer under a clear protective layer. The inner core layer is usually composed of melamine resin and fiber board materials.
What is Hardwood flooring?
Hardwood flooring is any product manufactured from timber that is designed for use as flooring, either structural or aesthetic. Wood is a common choice as a flooring material and can come in various styles, colors and species
Materials & Price
Laminate wood flooring is made from composite wood pressed together at high temperatures. The image of hardwood is then placed over the composite wood, covering it to form the laminate. Laminate wood flooring is much cheaper as compare to Hardwood flooring.
Hardwood flooring is made of harvested trees; pricing depends on how exotic the trees are. In general, hardwood is considerably higher to buy .
Installation
Very easy. Most types of laminate flooring snap together--no glue. No special tools are needed.
Difficult for non-professionals to install. Rental of special tools such as a floor stapler is required. Even then, staplers do have a significant learning curve.
Durability
Assess the traffic load and wear and tear on flooring in your home. A durable surface will make maintenance easier and will look great for years to come.
Hardwood is susceptible to scratching, can get damaged from excessive moisture and will show wear, especially in heavily trafficked areas. PROS – Hardwood is the real deal; it is gorgeous and, depending on the type of wood, can add considerable value to your home.
Laminate is made from pressed wood, it is more durable and resists scratches, moisture and wear and tear. Laminate flooring is also easier to clean. Even though laminate is more durable, it is not as visually appealing. Lower qualities of laminate may have artificial-looking wood grain textures.
Repair
Flooring is one component of your home that will have to be repaired at some point. From minor accidents to excessive wear and tear, laminate and hardwood have advantages and disadvantages.
Hardwood can be repaired by sanding imperfections and refinishing. This gives it the edge over laminate, in that it will last for years.
Laminate flooring doesn’t repair easily. If you buy flooring that comes in individual pieces and snaps together, you may be able to replace individual boards — although, depending on sunlight and age, the new piece may not match properly.
Your home will benefit from the look of wood flooring; deciding whether to use hardwood or laminate is up to you. Review the pros and cons, and be realistic about your lifestyle; if you have pets, young kids or high traffic, that may influence your decision.
If you have a lot of sunlight in your home, hardwood can fade because it is a natural product, while laminate wood flooring has UV protection integrated into the surface. Consider all the factors — and enjoy how the warmth of wood will improve your home’s aesthetic, appeal and value.
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