Hardwood vs Laminate Floors: Which is Better?
If you’re looking at new flooring for your
home or office, both hardwood and laminate flooring make great options.
Nowadays, laminate flooring can be made to look really similar to wood, and so
determining which option is best for you can be tough.
We outline the differences in hardwood and
laminate flooring, helping you determine which is best for your needs.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a relatively new form
of floor, and is constructed from manufactured layers of fiber. The top finish
is made to look like hardwood flooring, and some versions actually use real
wood for the very top layer that you walk on.
Laminate is durable and scratch resistant.
Many manufacturers rate their floors for 10 years against chips, dings, and
scratches.
Cleaning is easy, and you’re fine to use
soap and water, or more abrasive cleaners if necessary. You don’t want a vacuum
that has harsh bristles, so its important to use a vacuum
cleaner designed for engineered floors.
Laminate flooring is significantly cheaper
than hardwood, often times 5x-10x less per square foot. While laminate does not
have the prestige and longevity of hardwood, it beats it in price and
functionality.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is the classic standard
of elegance in a home. This style of flooring was extremely common in older
homes, and has a wonderful look to it.
This style of floors are made with solid
wood, all the way through. There are a variety of different finishes and stains
that can be applied, giving this type of flooring a varied look depending on
your preferences.
Hardwood is very susceptible to damage,
whether from scratching or shoes or even denting. Unfortunately, any damage is
hard to remove.
You also need to be careful with how you
clean hardwood flooring. You aren’t able to use any abrasive or strong
cleaners, and even soap and water has to be limited.
This type of flooring is susceptible to
water damage, so make sure to clean up any water spill immediately. Don’t use
hardwood floors in the kitchen, bathrooms, or anywhere that are likely to be
damp.
Laminate vs Hardwood
First and foremost, you should consider the
cost difference between laminate and hardwood floors. True wood is going to
cost more, by a wide margin. Unfortunately, this is often the deciding factor
for many.
The potential for water damage should also
be considered. While neither flooring is great for moisture, laminate floors
stand up better to water, especially over time.
Because of this, you don’t want to use
either in a kitchen or bathroom. Instead, opt for tile
flooring over hardwood or laminate.
Finally, if you have any concerns about
scratching, then opt for laminate. For example, pets and their claws can wreak
havoc on natural wood floors.
