With just a quick glance it is often difficult to see the difference between a laminate floor and a hardwood floor. When taking a closer look, however, there are some unique differences and you should know what these are before making your final decision in choosing your home flooring.
Although laminate looks like traditional wood, it is actually a thin layer of paper – a photographic image – under a very tough protective melamine film called a wear layer which is than glued to a backing board. The result is an incredibly durable, easy to install and easy to maintain floor.
Unlike hardwood, laminate floors will not dent, fade or stain and are more water and scratch resistant. As well, they will not fade from direct sunlight. Laminates are the best option if you want the look of real wood but are concerned about the high traffic areas of your home which can ruin expensive floors. Laminates are made to handle the traffic of an active family life of spills, scuffs and muddy pets.
Although durability is one of laminate floorings biggest assets, another is the cost difference when compared to hardwood. Hardwood floors cost approximately 20 to 25 percent more than comparable laminate floors. The installation of laminate flooring is also one of the easiest projects to do in home remodeling and a room can easily be completed in a day or less.
The rich warmth of natural hardwood floors can add charm and elegance to any room as well as somehow make the rooms look bigger. Look through any design or home decorating magazine and you will see that the choice of designers to accentuate the feel and the allure of a room is hardwood and hardwood is used in areas of homes that would not have been considered in the past.
Most hardwoods are very durable, although all hardwood floors can be scratched. There are easy ways to protect your floor from scuffs and scratches through simple things like placing a mat at outside entrances. Scratches in the finish or top layer are generally fairly easy to repair. Many people consider the charm of hardwood flooring to be the dents, nicks and other imperfections that happen over time.
Hardwood flooring is among the most popular flooring choices for new homeowners or those replacing flooring in home renovations. With hardwood you have the opportunity to choose from an incredible selection of domestic and exotic woods with unique color finishes; everything from the traditional North American hardwoods such as oak, maple and ash to more exotic hardwoods from around the world.
When looking for flooring solutions for your home, the most important factor to consider is that you purchase a product that is best suited for your family’s need and that will satisfy you for many years to come.
