Laminate & Hardwood Flooring: Which Is Best for Your Home?

Homeowners have many different choices when it comes to flooring these days, but if you are looking for something that resembles classic hardwood, you have two main options: laminate or the real thing.

Which one is right for you? Learn more about the benefits of each and Scharm Floor Covering help you decide.

The Main Benefits of Laminate and Hardwood Flooring

While both laminate and hardwood flooring can offer similar looks and feels, each comes with its own set of benefits and features that are unique to them.

Pros of Laminate Flooring

Family Proof: Though we love them, our children and pets can wreak havoc on our floors with scratches, accidents, spills, and more.

Laminate flooring is a great choice for households with young children, cats, or dogs. Its material is less prone to scratches (think children’s toys or pet’s nails), and easy to clean.

Water-Resistant: Another great benefit of laminate flooring is that it is water-resistant, spills and accidents cleaned up promptly will pose no threat to your floor. The interlocking function of laminate flooring creates a barrier that keeps water from seeping in beneath the boards, preventing any potential mold and mildew. Though laminate is water-resistant standing water can cause damage.

Easy to Clean: Laminate flooring is easily cleaned with a simple vacuum, sweep, and a slightly dampened mop with a laminate floor cleaner that will not leave a film. We recommend Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner.

A Variety of Visual Choices: Laminate flooring comes with many options for color, grain, and style, even imitating other materials like stone or fabric.

Cost: Laminate is generally more cost-effective than traditional hardwood. This applies to the initial installation and if you ever need to get a board replaced.

Pros of Hardwood Flooring

It is the Real Thing: The look and feel of natural wood will never be replaced. Organic wood grain and texture is a classic and there is a reason it is still one of the most sought-after floorings available to homeowners today. Though synthetic floorings have gotten close to imitating hardwood, it is still no contest if you want that timeless hardwood feel.

Last a Lifetime: Hardwood is more than just pleasant to look at, it can be an investment that lasts a lifetime. With proper installation and maintenance, some hardwood flooring can last up to 100 years.

A prefinished hardwood floor can last decades before needing to be refinished. Recoating hardwood floors every 3-5 years (or when starting to look worn) can help your floor keep its glossy and rich appearance in well-worn/high traffic areas.

Recoating your hardwood floors regularly can reduce the number of times a hardwood floor would need to be refinished in its lifetime and will save you money in the long run.

Different Stain Finishes and Wood Types: Laminate is not the only one with visual options. Different stains and wood species can lead to unique looks and colors to give your hardwood floor a special feel to match a room.

Which is Right for Your Home?

Both laminate and hardwood flooring come with many benefits from cost to maintenance to longevity but choosing which one is right for you comes down to your home, your family, and you.

When choosing, ask yourself: Do you have children? Pets? How badly do you want traditional hardwood? How much care are you willing to put into your floor?

The answers to these questions and more will help you decide which one is perfect for your home. For more information on laminate and hardwood flooring options, reach out to the flooring specialists at Scharm Floor Covering.