Laminate flooring rivals hardwood flooring in several aspects. However, there are a few reasons why selecting hardwood floors may be a better, smarter decision for your home.
Homeowners truly have plenty of flooring options to choose from, and many folks gravitate to the timeless beauty of hardwood floors. Let’s take a look at a popular contender for hardwood flooring alternatives: laminate flooring. You may have read about engineered hardwood and wonder how laminate differs from solid hardwood’s engineered counterpart. Laminate flooring is composed of wood fiber compressed into particleboard with melamine resin. Then, a photographic layer goes on top of the particleboard core and is finished with a transparent wear layer. Laminate flooring rivals hardwood flooring in several aspects. However, there are a few reasons why selecting hardwood floors may be a better, smarter decision for your home.
Looks and Appearances
If appearances matter most to you when contemplating your flooring options, then hardwood flooring is a clear winner. There are several species of wood to choose from that lend their warm color and unique patterns to a refined home interior. Indeed, some laminate flooring options can mimic the look of genuine wood with its realistic photographic top layer. For today’s standards, especially, modern manufactured options replicate hardwood more closely than ever. But, even the best dupe for wood floors can pale in comparison to the real deal.
Costs
Laminate flooring wins over homeowners quickly with its impressive cost savings compared to even average quality hardwood. Those on a strict home improvement budget may be satisfied with laminate floors if hardwood flooring is simply not feasible. However, those who can afford real wood floors should definitely consider making this excellent investment. While it can cost more to purchase and install wood floors, they make up for the price in longevity and increased home value.
Durability
Quite frankly, both flooring types are likely to be dented if you accidentally drop a heavy item on these floors. Damaged laminate flooring will need to be ripped out and replaced. On the other hand, the dented hardwood floorboard can be sanded down and refinished. If necessary, the affected board can be removed and replaced. Scratched laminate floors must be replaced while hardwood floors can, again, be sanded and refinished. These accidental damages aside, most homeowners treat their flooring with proper care. In these best cases, laminate floors will last about 15 to 20 years maximum in good condition, while hardwood floors will last at least 20 years and continue to look great with refinishing.
Ready for a Beautiful Hardwood Floor? Trust John K Eareckson & Co.
When you work with John K Eareckson & Co., Flooring, we will ensure your hardwood floors undergo a stress-free acclimation process and that they sparkle for years to come; from a seamless and beautiful installation to years of maintenance, John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring has the expertise to care for your home’s hardwood floors. For a consultation and more information, visit us online or give us a call at 410-788-4200. You can also look for us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.