Let’s Compare Hardwood Floors: The Hard Facts About Wood vs. Laminate
Many people like the clean, natural look of hardwood floors. Unfortunately, that can also come at a high price in installation. Another option is laminate flooring. It looks like wood and feels like wood, without the higher cost of wood. If you’re in the market for new flooring, you may want to compare hardwood vs. laminate flooring, to make sure you’re really getting what you want.
OK lets start. On the one hand you have the “Pro”, the positions in favor of hardwood:
The first point in favor of hardwood flooring is that it will increase the value of your home, in most cases. Many real estate agents also use hardwood floors as a selling point in their listings.
The second point of support is that wooden floors can be customized, in terms of the shine of the finish and the combination of types of wood used. You can be as creative as your installer allows, with your choice of wood and design.
Third ıs foothold, hardwood floors can also be sanded and re-stained, should they become scratched, worn, or gouged. Once the laminate is damaged, the only option is to replace it.
A fourth plus point is that with proper care, hardwood floors can last up to 100 years and even longer. In general, most laminate flooring manufacturers guarantee their floors for 10 years.
And last (but not necessarily least) we have the fifth point in support, which is just the “feel” of having real wood underfoot, it’s a huge selling point for some people.
And now we will continue comparing hardwood vs. laminate flooring, on the “Con” of hardwood flooring:
First of all, the point against real wood is the cost. In general, hardwood floors cost between $8 and $12 per square foot, but can cost more depending on the wood and finish you choose. Laminate, on the other hand, costs around $1.50 – $3 per square foot.
The second point against wood is that wood floors do not work as well in areas of higher humidity, such as the kitchen or bathroom. While wood can still be used, it has a much higher chance of moisture damage. Laminate floors are much more tolerant of moisture, but they can’t stand puddles either.
The third point against it is that wood requires a little more maintenance, while laminate is easy to clean and does not require waxing, polishing or refinishing. Regular vacuuming or sweeping, and an occasional damp mop are all it takes to keep it looking good.
The fourth point against hardwood flooring is that it can have some “weird” or bad pieces, which need to be used in certain places or worse, simply thrown away. Since this is a natural piece of wood, there will always be variations in the quality of the wood. The laminate is manufactured, so each piece is essentially the same.
Fifth and finally, the last point against it is that hardwood, even covered with some type of finish, is not totally resistant to stains. All it takes is a bit of red wine, spilled along a seam, and you might have a stain there until the wood is sanded down and restored.
So there we have all the arguments on each side.
When we compare hardwood vs. laminate flooring, there are a lot of gray areas, depending on many factors and the client’s situation. Hopefully, knowing the pros and cons can help you make a decision on the right flooring for your home and budget.
