Laminate vs Hardwood Flooring

Both laminate and hardwood flooring have their own distinct characteristics which set them apart. One is affordability the other luxurious. One is more attainable while the other is something most homeowners can't afford. The differences extend beyond the pricing of the materials as well, however.

Here we'll detail the differences, the similarities, and how homeowners can ultimately choose between the two. Ultimately, the budget is going to be a major indicator as to which you will choose. But, there are other areas you should also consider when you are choosing whether to go with laminate or with hardwood flooring for your home.

Pros & Cons of Laminate

Laminate is cheap! This is probably the major draw which drives most homeowners to choose it. You can install laminate throughout your entire home, for a lower price than it would cost to install hardwoods in one or two rooms of a home. So, the homeowners who are on a tight budget, are going to love that they can afford more, while still getting that "natural" hardwood appearance, for a fraction of the price with laminate.

Another pro is that it is durable. Laminate isn't prone to damage. It can take abuse, heavyweight, dropping large items on it, and so forth, without too much damage, if any. This is not the case with hardwood floors at all. Laminate doesn't scratch, and if it does, you can usually wipe it off the exterior surface where it is visible. Laminate comes in many shades, sizes, designs, colours, and you can choose from different material appearances as well, allowing you to create a truly unique look throughout your entire home.

Of course, there are some drawbacks. With the cheaper material price, also comes a far cheaper quality than what you can expect if you were to install hardwood floors in the home. Laminate won't last as long, and you will have to replace it more often. It does take longer to settle, it is prone to lifting or shifting from the area where it is installed as well. So, these are all factors to consider.

It is important to weigh the pros and the cons when deciding on a laminate finish for your home's flooring. It is cheap and something most homeowners can afford to install, but there are also issues with quality, cheaper appearance, and the fact that you have to replace it frequently after you originally install the new flooring.

Estimated Material Cost

Pros & Cons of Hardwood

Hardwood floors are luxurious. They not only look good, but you can also feel the quality right below your feet, each time you step on it. It does not creak or shift. It is not going to damage easily, nor is it going to look dated after you install it, or a few years after. If you want longevity, traditional, and quality, you can't go wrong with hardwood floors in your home.

The simple fact that they can last for 20 years, or longer if they are well maintained and preserved, makes the type of flooring material one which so many homeowners wish to install when they are ready to update the flooring in their home.

Hardwood floors come in various wood grains, colours, and textures. You can also choose from different sized sheets, or slabs, for a textured, or different look, in each room you are installing it into. If you like a variation or want to do a specific design, you can easily achieve it when you choose hardwood flooring material for your home.

Hardwoods are costly, extremely costly! They do require routine maintenance, and you have to polish them for them to preserve and retain the natural shine and brilliance. Hardwoods are prone to damage or scratching as well, so your costly investment can get damaged, if you do not put a protecting shield or coating over it. And, it typically has to be shipped, so it will take longer to install than a laminate floor would take.

Hardwood is luxurious and it looks elegant in any home or setting; with this being said, there are some drawback/cons you should consider. These are a few of the great features, and factors you should consider if you are contemplating installing new hardwood floors in your home in the near future.

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