| Many consumers, when looking for a hardwood | | | | listing is a big draw. Many home buyers today, in a |
| flooring look find laminate flooring an attractive option. | | | | buyer's market, expect that the home's that they |
| Generally less expensive, relatively durable and easy | | | | are looking at will have "real" hardwood flooring. |
| to install, laminate flooring is a great choice for many | | | | In key selling areas, like the kitchen, home buyers like |
| applications. | | | | to see high-end materials. Real granite counter tops, |
| The basic difference between a laminate floor and a | | | | high quality wood cabinets and hardwood or tile on |
| hardwood floor is that a laminate floor will be | | | | the floors. |
| constructed press-board, a picture of a flooring | | | | Another difference between hardwood and laminate |
| surface and a wear layer. The "wood" look that you | | | | is the feel underfoot. When you walk on a laminate |
| see in a laminate floor is actually a high resolution | | | | floor there is often a sort of spongy feel, and a dull |
| picture of hardwood. Hardwood flooring will either be | | | | sound. While you may or may not care about the |
| a solid piece of real wood, or it will be a section of | | | | underfoot feeling of your flooring, this is something |
| high quality hardwood (like cherry) glued to a | | | | to be considered. Many consumers don't enjoy the |
| plywood core. In either case, with hardwood flooring, | | | | feel of laminate flooring. |
| what you are walking on is an actual piece of | | | | One more consideration is the ability to refinish. While |
| hardwood, whereas with laminate, what you are | | | | today's pre-finished wear layers are generally very |
| walking on (underneath a wear-layer) is a picture of | | | | durable, nearly all hardwood choices (including |
| hardwood. | | | | engineered hardwood) can be refinished is necessary. |
| With that said, there are some definite differences to | | | | Laminate flooring can not be refinished. If a section if |
| be considered... | | | | damaged, it must be pulled out and a new section |
| First and foremost, re-sale value of your home. | | | | installed. If the entire floor is in need of a new finish, |
| When trying to sell a home in today's competitive | | | | you will be in need of a new floor. |
| market, being able to say "Hardwood Floors" in your | | | | |