Pre Finished Hardwood Vs. Laminate

Every homeowner wants the best in terms of value and durability that fits into their budget. But when it comes to choosing a hardwood or laminate floor, even after doing research, the decision can still be a difficult one.

Cost

The cost of hardwood floors can be substantially higher than laminate flooring. Some justification in the higher cost can be found in the fact hardwood will add much more value to a home, but sometimes hardwood just doesn't fit into an improvement project's budget.

Installation

Laminate floors have a snap-together method of installation that makes them easy enough to be tackled by "do-it-yourselfers." The hardwood installation is a bit more complex and labor intensive, and probably best left to professionals.

Appearance

High-quality laminate floors are attractive, but if a homeowner wants the look of natural wood, that effect can be difficult to achieve without a real hardwood floor.

Durability

Laminate flooring is resistant to scratches, which makes it good for high traffic areas. If laminate gets chipped, it's difficult to repair. A break in a laminate plank could involve replacing a large portion of the floor. Hardwood floors get banged up, especially if they are in areas that have heavy activity, but hardwood can be refinished, which will have it looking like new again.

Moisture Resistance

Laminate floors are made to handle moisture and spills; hardwood floors might begin to warp if exposed to too much liquid.

References

• Professor's House
• Hardwood Installer