Choosing new flooring for your home is a big decision. Two of the most popular choices right now are hardwood and laminate. Designs available in laminate have come a long way, and it is possible to get a lot of the aesthetic of hardwood with a less expensive product. While budget is one of the main differences, it definitely isn’t the only one. There are unique advantages to both options. We’ve put together some of the biggest pros of each here.
Hardwood Flooring
There’s no doubt that hardwood flooring is unique in its ability to be timeless, classic, and have a vintage aesthetic to it all at once. If you’ve ever seen well-maintained hardwood floors in a house that’s 100 years old or more, you know this flooring has the durability to last for generations with proper care. Refinishing can address the minor scratches and cosmetic damage that is part of normal wear and tear. Since this involves sanding, it isn’t a process that can be repeated indefinitely and the number of times is determined by the specific product you choose.
Let’s talk for a minute about solid wood and engineered wood flooring. These are both under the banner of hardwood flooring. Engineered wood might make it sound “fake,” but it is just as much 100% wood as solid wood flooring, and no two planks will be identical. The difference is that engineered wood is a base of wood composite which is overlayed with a layer of natural wood grain. If you choose to go with hardwood, your next choice will be what type of hardwood flooring product will work best for you and your home. Whichever type you choose there are plenty of aesthetic options – different species, stains, and finishes – to achieve the unique look you want for your home. Solid and engineered hardwood flooring adds significant value to your home and will serve you well if the time comes to sell.
Laminate Flooring
If you love the general look of wood floors but want to keep your renovation more budget-friendly laminate might be the right choice for your home. In fact, you can get laminate that is designed to replicate stone, or tile, or any number of other looks. Style-wise it is one of the most versatile options available.
Laminate is easy to install and to maintain. It’s stain, fade, and moisture resistant. If you have an active home full of kids and/or pets you can have brand new floors without the stress of trying to keep everyone on board with a bunch of new rules to protect it. One downside though is that due to the nature of the product it cannot be refinished the way hardwood can be. Damages have to be repaired by replacing the section of flooring. In some cases, this is a fairly simple process, but that does depend on the actual product and the specific installation process recommended by the manufacturer. For this reason, we don’t expect laminate floors to be passed down from one generation to another. If keeping your upgrades eco-friendly is important to you laminate has the potential to be recycled and has a smaller carbon footprint based on construction and materials required to create it.
At the end of the day, there is no wrong choice. Come by our showroom and look at the different possibilities firsthand. At Flohr, our experts are here to help. Give us a call today.