What Are The Advantages Of Laminate Vs. Wood Flooring?

Are you choosing a flooring solution for your home in Plano, TX? Should you rather go for the tried and time-proven “hardwood” or its much younger alternative, “laminate”?

Though you cannot go wrong with either option, we have compared both of these flooring types on the basis of several key issues to help you decide which one is best for your home.

I. Laminate Vs. Hardwood — Costs

Hardwood flooring consists of solid hardwood boards, usually 3/4-inch-thick, cut from different species of woods (such as cedar, ash, elm, oak or cherry), and the pricing depends on the type of wood you choose. In general, however, the cost of buying and installing hardwood is substantially higher than that of laminate floors.  

Laminate flooring, on the other hand, is a synthetic flooring material made of wood by-products with a photo layer and a plastic protective surface. Not only are the materials used to manufacture laminate flooring themselves pretty cheap, but the cost of installation is also about 50 percent less expensive than the installation of hardwood flooring.

II. Laminate Vs. Hardwood — Appearance & Feel

Solid hardwood flooring is naturally inviting, beautiful and has undeniable prestige. Depending on the type of wood you choose, your hardwood flooring can also add considerable value to your home. What’s more? You can stain and finish your hardwood flooring in a unique color to complement your home décor.  

From a distance, quality laminate flooring comes very close to emulating the classic look and texture of solid hardwood, but it is not the real deal. It does not have that “premium” look and feel of natural wood grain patterns.

III. Laminate Vs. Hardwood — Durability

Solid hardwood flooring is susceptible to scratching and abrasion, and it does not hold up too well against daily wear and tear. In addition, an increase in humidity can cause the hardwood to swell, resulting in “buckling” (causing planks to rise and twist) and a decrease in humidity can cause it to shrink,  leaving large gaps between planks. Then, there is the issue with fading.

Since laminate flooring is made from pressed wood, it is hard and durable. It is hard to damage or dent, less affected by changes in humidity and has a protective top coat that makes it more UV and fade resistant.

IV. Laminate Vs. Hardwood — Longevity

While hardwood floors are relatively less durable than laminate floors, any damage to the hardwood floor can be repaired without having to replace the entire floor. You can simply sand any imperfections on the surface or recoat/refinish the floor to give it a new shine. This gives it the edge over laminate, in that hardwood flooring can last for generations.

Laminate flooring, while it has good resistance to damage from impact, cannot be easily repaired. In most cases, if your laminate floor is damaged, the entire board has to be replaced. Generally, you can expect 10 years of use from your laminate flooring.

IV. Laminate Vs. Hardwood — Cleaning & General Maintenance

Laminate floors are pretty easy to clean. Just sweep or vacuum the floors from time to time to get rid of dirt and debris and use a damp (not wet) cloth or mop to remove grime off the floor. No special products are needed.

Hardwood floors require the same general cleaning procedure, but they may also stand in need of periodic refinishing to help them retain their shine. Maintenance can be quite costly if the floor needs a new finish.

V. Laminate Vs. Hardwood — Installation

Laminate flooring is DIY-friendly. Most Plano homeowners can handle the click-together tongue and groove floor. Though the installation does require some specialized tools such as a tapping block and pull bar, these tools are pretty cheap and can be found at any hardware store.

In contrast, installing hardwood flooring requires the use of special tools such as pneumatic staplers or nailers, highly precise cutting and a wealth of experience. That is why the job is considered best left to the pros.

The verdict

If you want your floor to last a long time, and you like the classic appearance and warm feeling of hardwood, the higher cost of purchase and installation may just be worth it. If you are working with limited funds, or are worried about scratching and daily wear and tear, you may benefit from installing a laminate floor.

Spend some time looking at and evaluating both types of flooring and then choose the one that is right for you.

Professional flooring solutions in Plano, TX

If you need expert advice on the best home flooring solutions in and around Texas, you can count on the experience and expertise of Nadine Floor Company. Our Plano flooring experts will help you navigate the floor selection process, addressing all of your concerns along the way, so you can be confident in your final choice.

If you want a superior flooring solution for your home in Plano, TX, call us at (469) 666-4531, and we will be happy to assist!.