Differences Between Laminate Flooring and Solid Wood Flooring
Solid wood flooring, also known as hardwood flooring is the traditional type of flooring. This type of flooring is made using natural and durable woods. The types of wood used for this kind of flooring include maple, oak etc. This type of flooring will last longer when it is very well maintained.
On the other hand, laminate flooring is a multi-layer synthetic flooring whose inner core layer is made of fiber board and melamine resin materials. This type of flooring imitates the way wood looks and usually with a laminate finish. This type of flooring is also less expensive compared to solid wood flooring, however does not last as solid wood flooring.
Since it is confusing to sometimes decide on which kind of flooring to go for, here are a few points to consider before making your final decision:
- Cost: Hardwood flooring is usually costly and this depends on how hard the wood is. The cost of installing solid wood flooring is also higher compared to laminate flooring.
- Durability: Laminate flooring resists scratches, wear and tear and moisture better than solid wood flooring since it is laminated. Hardwood flooring is difficult to clean but more appealing compared to laminate flooring.
- Installation: Hardwood flooring is difficult to install unlike laminate flooring. Laminate flooring is packed as planks in a way so that they can easily lap into one another. If you make mistake with the installation of solid wood flooring, it could be costly and frustrating.
- Maintenance: In laminate flooring, there is no frequent repairs since it doesn’t wear and tear easily as it resistant to scratches as well. On the other hand, solid wood flooring can be easily repaired by refinishing and sanding out imperfections.
- Environmental considerations: If sunlight enters your house, do not consider using solid wood flooring since it can fade away easily as it is a natural product. For health and environmental reasons, consider the melamine resin in laminate flooring as it may be a source of concern.
