No matter what type of flooring you choose for your home, it’s an investment. Most people understand that hardwood flooring is a bigger investment than laminate flooring. Price isn’t the only factor that should go into deciding what the right flooring is for your home. We’ve put together some similarities and differences between these two popular flooring types to help you choose the right one for your home.
Durability
Although hardwood flooring will last longer because it can be refinished, one can argue that laminate is actually more durable. Most quality laminate flooring will resist scratches better than hardwood. Although we don’t recommend installing either in a wet environment, like a bathroom or laundry room, laminate will handle the occasional neglected spill better than hardwood.
Appearance
Both flooring materials have many options. Of course, there’s nothing that can compare to the unique wood grain patterns found in hardwood. However, quality laminate flooring has come a long way in the past ten years. New printing technology means you’ll see more variation in the graining of laminate than you would have years ago.
Cleaning
There’s little difference between hardwood and laminate when it comes to cleaning. You’ll want to make sure to sweep them regularly to remove dirt that can scratch the surface. You should use only recommended cleaning products and a damp mop on either.
Repair
Because hardwood flooring can be sanded and refinished, it’s easier to keep your flooring and repair it when it becomes dull or scratched. Small sections can be repaired, but the stain may not match exactly due to fading. Laminate can’t be repaired. Depending on the location and type of damage, you may be able to remove the damaged area and replace it with the same product, however, just like hardwood, fading and general use may mean the replaced section doesn’t match the older section exactly.
Installation
Prefinished hardwood flooring and laminate flooring take about the same amount of time for installation. However, most hardwood is installed and stained on site. This makes the installation process longer for hardwood flooring. Believe it or not, both will have a strong smell for days or even weeks after installation as laminate has chemicals in the manufacturing and finishing process.
No matter which flooring you think is right for your home, family and budget, Authentic Hardwood Flooring can help. We offer many name brand laminate flooring products as well as hardwood flooring installation. If you’d like to learn more about our products and process and request a free in-home estimate, call us today at (727) 786-6330.
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