Hardwood Vs Laminate Flooring

The natural charm and elegance of your home depends, to a great extent, on the type of flooring you choose. Besides beauty, there are several other factors that need to be taken into account while selecting among the different flooring options. Hardwood and laminate flooring are the two emerging options available, if you are looking for a floor to add a fashionable and luxurious touch to your home. However, both the options have some pros and cons, and require a proper evaluation before you opt for a particular one.

Hardwood Vs Laminate Flooring

Hardwood flooring is available in a range of colors and is known to impart a natural aesthetic look to your home. Hardwood floors are available in many styles and variations which offer a mix of both the traditional and modern look. Besides this, if hardwood floors are maintained properly, they are durable and long-lasting. If well-maintained, they are perhaps the most long-lasting.

However, hardwood flooring is expensive and its installation is also quite challenging. On the other hand, laminate floors are cheaper as compared to hardwood floors and are easy to install. Though, laminate floors are actually not made from wood, still they can offer the flavor of hardwood floors. Laminate floors are made from high density fiber with a long-lasting laminate coating. As compared to hardwood floors, they are more durable and tough. Laminate floors are also resistant to scratches and dents. Hardwood floors, on the other hand, are more prone to scratches and dents and hence require periodic maintenance or refinishing. Refinishing is also very costly and can produce dust. Besides, refinishing may also produce fumes, as hardwood floors contain a polyurethane coating.

Hardwood floors are more vulnerable to humidity and moisture and therefore, are not suitable for all types of rooms, like the kitchen and the bathroom. Laminate floors can withstand moisture till an extent, but are definitely not suitable for the high moisture areas of your home. Another drawback of hardwood floors, are that they get discolored if exposed to direct sunlight, while in case of laminate floors, you will not encounter such a problem. But, the greatest disadvantage of laminate floors is that even if they are deeply scratched or damaged, they can not be refinished. In such a situation, the only option left is to replace the floor. Hardwood floors can be refinished to give a fresh look, even if they are more susceptible to scratch and stains. Besides, laminate floors are usually slippery and get easily chipped. On the basis of longevity, hardwoods floors are superior than laminate floors, as they can last a lifetime if properly managed. On the other hand, laminate floors can last for about 20 years.

So, both hardwood and laminate floors have specific advantages and disadvantages. Hardwood floors are expensive and get scratched easily, but are long-lasting, while laminate floors are cheaper and resistant to scratches. But they have a short lifetime as compared to hardwood floors. Besides, you need to take into account many other factors like your estimated budget and individual needs, before opting for a particular type of flooring.