Wooden flooring is one of the most sought-after amenities in modern-day homes. Not only do they offer a natural appearance and a warm underfoot, but they are also easier to accessorize as even the simplest decor looks super elegant and timeless in combination with wooden flooring. Just like many natural things in the world are being replaced with artificially cultured counterparts, so is wood flooring. Today, original hardwood floors are a rarity, something that you may only find in older traditional homes and are quite pricey. Luckily, newer homes that are priced lower but still want the natural look of wood often use the laminate option to win the approval of many homebuyers.
If you are left wondering whether there are any pros and cons when it comes to a traditional hardwood floor versus laminate wood flooring, here are the critical distinctions between both.
Price
Anything natural costs more. Hardwood flooring is made of harvested trees and its price depends on a lot of factors, like how exotic the trees used in building raw material are, what kind of installation will it need and how it will be cut. Conventionally, you will notice that hardwood is costly and a bit tricky to install. On the contrary, laminate wood flooring is made from composite wood pressed together at high temperatures. This artificial manufacturing process means that it is cheaper compared to hardwood and can be easily cut and shaped to fit an individual preference. You can expect the installation of laminate flooring to cost half of hardwood flooring installation.
Durability
It is imperative to consider the traffic load and wear and tear that your home flooring will be subjected to. Replacing or repairing flooring is quite a cumbersome task; hence most homeowners prefer flooring that can stand the test of time. Hardwood flooring can be easily damaged due to moisture, scratching, and begins to show signs of wear quicker as compared to laminate. Having said that, there is no denying that hardwood looks elegant and natural. It can add considerable value to your home. Laminate flooring is quite durable and resistant to scratches, moisture build-up and general wear and tear. It is easier to clean and maintain. However, when compared to hardwood flooring, it definitely looks artificial. Depending on the quality of the laminate, some variants may also have artificial-looking wood grain textures.
General repairs
Depending on how much wear and tear your wooden flooring experiences, there are chances that some component of your home flooring may have to be repaired. If you have hardwood flooring, repairing can be easier with sanding some imperfections and polishing, making it last forever. Laminate flooring is tricky to repair. Unless you have bought flooring that comes in individual pieces and snaps together, there is a chance that you may not be able to replace individual boards. Also, it may be challenging to find a new piece which is the right shade and may not match the rest of the flooring accurately.
Selecting the right kind of laminate flooring for your home can be critical for long term comfort and safety of your family. It is best to rely on experts like The Builders Club to get the best advice on what kind of flooring is suitable for your home. Our team of experts can guide you on the type, cost and design of laminate as per your individual needs.
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