Laminate Flooring Vs. Real Hardwood Flooring
Various considerations go into a decision about whether to install laminate flooring, which has the appearance of a wood floor, or to go with real hardwood flooring. If the floor is going down over concrete in a basement recreation room, you may want to install a laminate floor because of the difficulty of installing hardwood over concrete. However, if the floor is going to be installed in a more formal living area, you may prefer the look of hardwood. Does this Spark an idea?
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Appearance
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Although there are some really good-looking options for laminate floors, there is still a visible difference between these and real hardwood floors. Some people may not be able to see the difference, but for those who can, hardwood floors are generally considered superior in appearance. As time goes by, however, homeowners will notice that hardwood floors are susceptible to staining; laminate flooring will not stain. Laminate floors offer excellent scratch resistance, but scratch resistance on hardwood floors is entirely dependent on the hardness of the floor's finish.
Ease of Repair
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Hardwood floors damaged from scratches and stains are relatively easy to repair. Sanding the damaged area and applying a fresh coat of stain and seal will usually do the job. If the damage is so severe that some of the boards need to be replaced, this can also be done without too much difficulty. Laminate flooring cannot be repaired, so replacement of the damaged area is the only option; however, because companies change styles frequently, the floor's original style of laminate may not be available, and the damaged area will either have to remain an eyesore or the entire floor will have to be replaced.
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Refinishing
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Hardwood floors can last a lifetime, but from time to time they will need to be refinished. This is a job that is messy, takes a few days to complete, and should probably be done by a professional. It is also possible to just refinish sections without having to do the entire floor. The life expectancy of a laminate floor is just twenty years, and it cannot be refinished; so the floor will simply have to be replaced.
Installation
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Laminate flooring is not difficult to install. A relatively handy person can install a laminate floor in a matter of hours or days at most. It is best to call on professionals, however, to install hardwood floors; installation normally takes several days. First, the boards must be cut and nailed into place, followed by several sandings to achieve a scratch-free, smooth surface. Following sanding, the floor must be stained and then two or more coats of polyurethane seal must be applied. The floor then needs time to cure (harden), a process which takes another day or two before foot traffic can be allowed onto the floor.
Cost
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One of the biggest advantages of laminate floors is that they are relatively inexpensive compared to real hardwood. It is often possible to get an attractive floor with the appearance of real wood for a fraction of what a comparative hardwood floor would cost. When figuring the cost of the floor, you must also consider the expense of installation. With the possibility of do-it-yourself laminate installation to the large labor expense involved with installing hardwood floors, laminate floors are even less expensive.
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