Hardwood Flooring Versus Laminate Flooring
by Jessica Santina
Home Improvement Ideas Columnist
You might be wondering whether laminate flooring is a good alternative to hardwood flooring. Both options offer an almost endless array of styles and colors, but one might be a better choice for your home.
Here's a list of pros and cons to make your flooring choice a little easier.
Hardwood Flooring
Pros - Hardwood flooring is a natural, non-allergenic product that with proper care, can last a lifetime. Installing hardwood flooring may increase the value of your home. Your choices come in a wide variety of woods from all over the globe, colors, and widths. If scratched, simple repairs can return it to good condition.
Cons - Hardwood flooring costs more than laminate flooring, ranging from $4 to $9, with another $3 per square foot for professional installation. Once it's in, hardwood should be treated with care. Hardwood flooring isn't impervious to stains and scratches, so it will require refinishing every few years. It will also fade in the sun's UV rays. Getting hardwood flooring wet may warp or discolor the boards.
Laminate Flooring
Pros – Laminate flooring is extremely impact- and stain-resistant, making it an excellent choice for those with pets or kids, or for those who are tough on floors. It won't fade in any amount of sunlight. Laminate flooring requires no waxing or polishing, and getting it wet creates no problems. It's easy to install yourself, and it may last for 20 years or more, which makes its price, significantly less than that of hardwood at $3-$5 per square foot, even nicer.
Cons - Since laminate is essentially a picture of wood, and not wood itself, its pattern may not appear natural over a large area. It cannot be refinished, and it’s difficult to repair, therefore its life span is usually shorter than that of hardwood flooring.
Once you evaluate your budget, your home's needs, your preferences, and your lifestyle, choose the flooring option that’s best for you.
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About the Author
Jessica Groach-Santina is a freelance writer with a background in media and promotions. She also teaches first-year writing courses at the University of Nevada, Reno.
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