| The emergence of laminate flooring for homes over | | | | in most cases should install hardwoods. That being |
| the last twenty years has made that elegant look | | | | said, I know people who have installed hardwoods |
| affordable. But what is the difference between | | | | themselves and their floors look great. I guess it just |
| laminate and hardwood flooring? Is one really better | | | | depends on your confidence in that area. |
| than the other? Let's take a deeper look and see | | | | Winner: Laminates! |
| what we can find. | | | | How long will they last? |
| Hardwood flooring is, as the name implies, made of | | | | Both hardwoods and laminates are fairly long lasting. |
| solid wood throughout. Flooring aficionados and | | | | Hardwoods do tend to scratch and dent much easier |
| decorators have always dinged hardwood for its | | | | than laminates. That means the claws of your dog or |
| susceptibility to moisture and it's price. The flooring | | | | house cat, ferret, tiger, or any other pet will cause |
| industry has an answer for this: Engineered hardwood | | | | damage to your new floor. Laminates however are |
| flooring. Engineered hardwood flooring has a | | | | susceptible to chipping. Hardwoods can fade if placed |
| hardwood veneer surface constructed of | | | | in areas of direct sunlight. Laminates do not fade and |
| cross-laminated layers of wood. By contrast, | | | | are stain resistant. Hardwoods can be refinished to |
| laminated flooring is a "picture" of wood that is | | | | look like new again. Significant damage to laminates |
| attached to a fiberboard composite. This lies beneath | | | | may require the entire floor to be replaced. Also, |
| a clear finish of melamine. This makes it much less | | | | laminates are usually given about a 20-year life span. |
| expensive while giving it a similar look to hardwood. | | | | Because of the ability to refinish your hardwood |
| Before making your choice, there are four questions | | | | floors, they can last you a lifetime. |
| you should ask yourself. | | | | Winner: Hardwoods! |
| What happens to it when it gets wet? | | | | How great will they look in my home? |
| Traditional hardwood floors are very sensitive to | | | | Let me tell you this. I have had both, I have seen |
| changes in humidity and moisture. If you have pets | | | | both, and I have installed both. I can tell you |
| that are not house-trained, you would do well to stay | | | | unequivocally that hardwoods look better. Maybe this |
| away from the hardwoods. I wouldn't recommend | | | | is because laminate flooring is just a picture of wood. |
| them for kitchens, bathrooms, or anything below | | | | Maybe it is the fact that hardwoods allow for a |
| grade either. If you have a kitchen or bathroom that | | | | variety of wood grain patterns while laminates repeat |
| you just have to have hardwoods in, go with the | | | | their pattern every five boards. Maybe it is the |
| engineered hardwood. It requires a moisture barrier | | | | authentic "old-timey": look. Whatever it is I would |
| to be laid down first, which eliminates this problem. | | | | wager that if you surveyed ten people, nine of them |
| Many, but not all, laminate floors are water resistant. | | | | would say that hardwoods look better. Winner: |
| This provides even more protection for your floor. | | | | Hardwoods! And the champion is...neither. It is kind of |
| Winner: Laminates! | | | | a draw. Laminates are cheaper, slightly more durable |
| How easy is it to install? | | | | and offer a similar look to hardwoods. However, |
| Laminate floors are a project that most any | | | | hardwoods last much longer, increase the value of |
| do-it-yourselfer can handle on their own. They are | | | | your home more, and look better than laminates. You |
| installed as a floating floor, and many varieties simply | | | | should probably consider your budget, and what your |
| click together and lock in place. Engineered | | | | long-term flooring needs are and make your choice. |
| hardwoods are not as easy to install, but can still be | | | | You really can't go wrong either way. |
| done by someone with a degree of skill. Professionals | | | | Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop. |