The Question of the Hour: Hardwood or Laminate Floor?

It is no secret that laminate flooring isn’t wood, but once installed, it can be hard to distinguish it from the real thing. Even though it resembles wood, there are some factors that make the whole difference. For that reason, we compiled a list of some of the most important features to bear in mind to help you choose which flooring option is best for your budget, lifestyle and interior design.

Price

The reality is, no flooring solution is cheap, and sometimes what you want and what you can actually afford may be miles apart.

Hardwood floors are manufactured from harvested trees and their price varies due to the fact how exotic is the tree that it is made of. Generally, hardwood floors are very expensive to buy and install.

Laminate floors are made from composite wood which is pressed together at high temperatures. After that, the image of hardwood is placed over the composite wood in order to cover it and form the laminate. The materials from which laminate is made are far cheaper than hardwood, plus the laminate floor installation costs about 50% less than the installation of hardwood.

Durability

Hardwood is a beautiful addition to any home and depending on the type of wood that it has been made of, it can add much more value to your home. Nevertheless, hardwood is quite susceptible to moisture and scratches and has higher chances of showing wear, especially when placed in areas with high traffic.

Due to the fact that laminate is made from pressed wood, it is far more durable and it resists moisture, scratches as well as wear and tear. Plus, it is much easier to clean. However, some lower quality laminate types may not be visually appealing and have artificial-looking textures.

Repairs

As a huge style element in the home, the flooring needs to look good at all times. Therefore, you will need to do some repairs on it from time to time.

Hardwood can be easily repaired by sanding the imperfections on it and refinishing it. This makes it a better option than laminate as it will add more to its lifespan and will last you for many years.

Laminate floor on the other hand, cannot be repaired that easily. In case you bought flooring that is put together in individual pieces and it snaps together, you might be able to replace the boards that are most damaged. However, depending on the level of sunlight exposure and the age of the laminate that you already have, the new pieces may not match perfectly. But the thing is, you don’t have to worry much about replacing laminate as it is a rather inexpensive option. So, whenever you feel that a part of it needs to be changed, you can freely change the whole flooring to add some freshness to your home.