While going for a new floor, many homeowners are in dilemma about what to choose between hardwood and laminate. Their differences can be a little confusing initially, and therefore in this short article, we shall try to make a comparison between the hardwood and laminate, so that you can know the pros and cons of both these floor type in terms of:
- Appearance
- Durability
- Ease of maintenance and repair
- Eco-friendliness.
- Longevity
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Let us now compare both this flooring material based on the following few parameters:
- Appearance and aesthetics
Real hardwood will have a natural appearance with its grains and variation in its texture that is hard to replicate in laminates. You can often find identical patterns of wood in the laminate floorings.
- Durability
Laminate floorings are made by considering the effects of moistures, foot traffic, maintainability, etc. while the natural solid wooden floor may not be made as per specification. Natural wood may not be as hard as a laminate.
- Moisture
Wood is a natural material and it will be affected due to moisture, heat, or any other surrounding environment. While laminates are manufactured by considering under which environment they will be used.
- Ease of repair
You can never repair any laminate floors and in case of any damage, you have to call laminate flooring installers and replace it. However, in the case of hardwood floors, there is always a scope of repair and you can call a professional who can easily repair them with little cost.
- Ease of maintenance
Laminate flooring can be easily maintained by simply wiping, sweeping, and mopping in a regular manner. However, for maintaining solid wood flooring you have to do with more care.
- Longevity
As compared to solid hardwood flooring the longevity of laminate floors will be much shorter. You may need to replace your laminate after about 20 years or so but your solid wood flooring may last for a generation if you maintain it well.
- Eco-friendliness
Solid woods are a natural product and hence it will be more eco-friendly as compared to any laminate product.
- Installation
Installing a solid wood floor needs lots of experience as it is a little difficult to adjust within your space unless you are quite proficient in working with wood. If that’s the case, it may be better to hire hardwood flooring companies to do the job for you. Laminates can also be installed in a DIY way as they are quite easy to install.
- Water and heat resistance
Solid woods will not be preferred for the kitchen or outside area where there can be moisture. Laminates will be quite suitable for such locations.
Though initially, it may be slightly confusing to find any differences between laminate and hardwood flooring however it becomes quite obvious if you inspect very closely. You may get both types of materials in abundance but choosing solid or engineered hardwood flooring will be a wiser, healthier, and also more environmentally conscious decision than laminate.
