The Difference Between Hardwood and Laminate Flooring
There comes a time when you’re shopping for new floors and have to choose between hardwood and laminate flooring. Although they may look similar at first glance, these two flooring types are quite different when it comes to performance.
Hardwood has natural texture and feels warmer underfoot while laminate often has a plastic-like feel and can sound hollow when walked on.
Cost
When it comes to choosing between hardwood floors and laminate, cost is often the deciding factor. Traditional or engineered wood flooring can be quite expensive, especially if you choose exotic species. They may also require costly professional installation. On the other hand, laminates are affordable and easy to install. They are not as durable as hardwood floors, but they can withstand the wear and tear of children and pets.
Laminate flooring, also known as floating wood tile, is a synthetic composite product made of four layers. The bottom layer is a moisture-resistant stabilizing core, followed by a layer of treated high-density fiberboard and a photographic pattern layer that provides the surface design. Finally, a clear melamine resin layer protects the floor from damage and stains.
Regardless of the type of flooring you decide to go with, it is important to consider its eco-friendliness. While both wood and laminate flooring use wood as a main component, solid hardwood is more environmentally friendly than its laminate counterpart.
Whether you decide to go with wood or laminate, both flooring options provide great benefits for homeowners. They look beautiful and add a sense of warmth and style to any home.
Durability
When compared to laminate, hardwood floors offer the added elegance of natural wood and can enhance your home’s resale value. However, a real wood floor is expensive and may require more regular care. For instance, you might need to refinish the floor every 5 or 10 years, depending on the amount of traffic and the destructive tendencies of pets or young children. In addition, a hardwood floor can be prone to water penetration and discoloration if it’s not properly treated.
On the other hand, a high-quality laminate can resist stains and scratches and look good for many years. The top layer also has a protective coating, so it can withstand moisture and sun exposure without warping or becoming damaged. Some laminates are even designed to look like stone or tile. They can also come with synchronized embossing and textures.
Both flooring options are available in a variety of colors and styles. But if you’re looking for the best durability, then you should choose solid hardwood. It can be sanded and refinished multiple times, but it cannot be used in rooms that are prone to dampness. It’s also a great choice for homes with kids and pets, as it resists staining and scratching better than other types of flooring.
Maintenance
Hardwoods require a little more maintenance than laminates. They need to be swept or vacuumed frequently and damp mopped on a regular basis. You should also blot up spills as soon as they happen to avoid staining. It’s also a good idea to use mats on your furniture to prevent scratching. Unlike laminates, hardwood floors can be refinished once they’re damaged.
Laminates are made from compressed medium-density fiberboard with a core layer that makes them resistant to water, abrasions, and scratches. Some of the newer styles are embossed with texture, making them look very realistic. Some even have knots and rougher scrapes that add to their appearance. They also have an image layer that holds the pattern or design. The image layer is topped with a protective overlay that’s designed to resist moisture and abrasions.
Like all flooring, laminates need to be swept, dust mopped or vacuumed on a regular basis. You should use a special attachment for your vacuum cleaner to prevent damage, and it’s best to avoid using beater bars on laminates because they can cause scratches. You can also clean them with soap and water or a water-based cleaner that is specifically designed for laminates. It’s important to blot up any spills immediately on laminates to prevent them from getting wet, as this can cause the boards to warp.
Appearance
Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home, but they also require a considerable amount of maintenance. They need to be refinished every five or ten years to protect them from damage and staining. In addition, they are sensitive to sunlight and can be scratched or dented by furniture. This makes them a poor choice for areas that receive direct sunlight. Laminate flooring, on the other hand, is a less expensive option that requires little maintenance. It consists of a layer of real wood veneer that is fused to a core made of fiberboard or man-made materials.
Laminate flooring has become much better at mimicking the appearance of natural hardwood floors, but it will still be obvious that they aren’t genuine wood. This is because laminate planks have a repeating pattern that looks very different from solid or engineered wood flooring. The best laminate flooring products will have a wide variety of unique plank patterns, but even these are not perfect.
Solid or engineered wood flooring will not only look more authentic, but it is likely to add more resale value to your home. It is a good idea to consult a flooring expert when making your decision about which type of flooring to buy. They can help you choose the right hardwood floor color for your home and advise you on its durability and cost.
