Laminate Versus Hardwood

Laminate flooring and engineered wood flooring are two obvious choices if you want a flooring that looks like solid hardwood but at a more affordable price.

Laminate versus hardwood. It s also not as water resistant as linoleum or vinyl. While laminate flooring has come a long way in constructions and a variety of prints engineered hardwood wins on its natural beauty. Hardwood engineered wood. Both floor coverings were developed as economical and versatile alternatives to that mainstay of flooring material solid hardwood flooring.

If you re seeking an alternative to hardwood but laminate doesn t sound like the material for you consider engineered wood or luxury vinyl. Your home s flooring will typically need repairs at some point. This gives it the edge over laminate in that it will last. Both resemble true hardwood but each comes with its own benefits and disadvantages.

How to decide the best flooring for resale value for your home. From minor accidents to excessive wear and tear laminate and hardwood have advantages and disadvantages. Solid hardwood flooring is often regarded as the real deal with laminate flooring occupying the next rung down as an inexpensive way to simulate the look of real hardwood flooring. Hardwoods are solid planks of wood harvested from trees.

Laminate flooring which is made of a synthetic fiberboard material and has a laminate finish is much cheaper than hardwood but will not last as long. That is because of its layered construction just like plywood is less likely to cup because of its layers and locking edges that prevent boards from separating. Engineered hardwood flooring has a similar construction as laminate except the top decorative layer is a thick veneer of real wood protected by a coating of clear acrylic. It provides the unmatched beauty of real wood without solid wood flooring s tendency to shrink or warp.

With a solid hardwood top layer engineered hardwood is as close as it gets to a natural wood floor. Here s more on the carpet vs. Hardwood flooring is made from natural durable woods such as oak maple or hickory that can last a long time when maintained properly. But laminate flooring quality does vary.

Laminate can resemble wood and stone like linoleum but it comes in solid interlocking planks and is made almost entirely of wood products. Pros hardwood can be repaired by sanding imperfections and refinishing. A nice laminate is going to go a long way in a low or mid range house.