When you’re deciding what type of flooring you want for your home, there are a lot of materials to choose from, but most homeowners decide between laminate or hardwood floors. At first glance they seem very similar, since they both have the appearance of wooden floors. But if you take a closer look, there are a lot of differences to consider when you’re deciding between laminate vs. hardwood floorings.
The Pros of Laminate Flooring
Affordable Flooring
Laminate flooring resembles hardwood, but at around half the price. Laminate flooring uses printed images that give it the appearance of hardwood flooring, but it’s made from composite wood fused together at high temperatures. Hardwood floors are made from harvested trees, which increases their overall cost.
More Durable
When you look at laminate vs hardwood flooring, one of the key differences is resistance. Laminate floors have a protective layer above their ‘hardwood’ appearance, which makes it nearly impossible to scratch or dent. This also makes it more resistant to fading from the sun, and stains.
Easy Installation
The installation time of laminate flooring is much less involved compared to hardwood floors. Laminate flooring has grooves around each board which can be snapped into place like puzzle pieces. Hardwood floors have to be nailed in piece by piece, which could take days rather than hours.
The Cons of Laminate Flooring
Refinishing isn’t an Option
Even though laminate flooring is more durable, all floors wear down over time. The biggest complication with laminate flooring is that they can’t be resurfaced. The protective coating makes it impossible to sand and refinish. Instead, you’ll have to replace it with all new floors.
Easily Damaged by Water
High concentrations of water can cause extreme damage to your laminate floors. The edges of your floor will soak up any standing water if it’s exposed for more than a few hours. That means if there’s a leak in the kitchen or bathroom while you’re at work, the damage is already done by the time you get home.
Less Valuable
While laminate flooring is more affordable than hardwood, it doesn’t hold the same value. Hardwood flooring maintains their value because not only because they can be restored, but their overall appearance and quality is better. If you’re ever going to sell your home, this might make a difference in the asking price.
