Laminate Floors and Hardwood Flooring

Nothing beats the beauty of well laid laminate floors or hardwood flooring.  But which should you choose?  While laminate floors and hardwood flooring may seem to be the same on the surface, there are distinct differences and advantages from one to the other. We will try to explain the differences between the two products so that you can make an informed decision when purchasing flooring for your home.

While laminate (also known as floating) floors are not real hardwood, they can be very attractive and durable when used in the right circumstances.  This type of flooring does well in family rooms and bedrooms, but may not perform as well in wet areas such as bathrooms.  In kitchen areas, floating floors may outperform hardwood, as they are less likely to get dings and marks if cans and pots are dropped on them.  Because floating floors literally float over a sub-floor, they can be noisier when you walk on them.  While laminate is durable, it may scratch if heavy furniture is moved around repeatedly; and these scratches can be difficult to repair. Floating floors are very stain resistant and so are great if you have young children in your home.  Another advantage that laminate has over hardwood is that it does not fade when in sunlit areas.

Installation is relatively easy, and can be a great DIY project as most types of laminate utilize either a simple snap-in-place or glue system.  You can purchase flooring in many colors and patterns.  But here's the best news: it doesn't require waxing!

If you are into all things natural, you will love hardwood flooring.  Unlike laminate, hardwood is all real wood. It will last a lifetime and retain it's beauty and character for a very long time.  The cost of hardwood is more than for laminate so this could be a determination in your choice. These floors are great in most areas of the home except where there may be excessive water and humidity, such as bathrooms. Hardwood is easy to maintain requiring only frequent vacuuming and the occasional cleaning.  It is fairly easy to repair scratches and dents.

There are several types of flooring classed as hardwood: pre-finished, solid wood, engineered and unfinished.  We will go into more detail on these finishes in other articles.  As a rule, unfinished wood floors are installed, stained and varnished on site, so if this is in a finished home you will need to vacate the premises for a few days while the job is completed. Pre-finished and engineered finishes are already stained and varnished and are glued or nailed down and the job can be finished fairly quickly. While wood ages naturally and gets a patina, direct sunlight may fade hardwood faster so an area rug may be necessary.