If you’re considering having your home remodeled, you may be wondering if hardwood floors are worth the price. Is hardwood flooring really better than laminate? The short answer is yes; the quality and durability of 100% hardwood can’t be matched, but each type of flooring has its benefits. Selecting which type of flooring is best for you is going to depend on your individual needs.

What Is Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is made out of fiberboard that has been coated on its top surface with a pattern designed to look either like wood or another material. This top surface is then topped with a wear resistant layer to make it more durable.

The nature of laminate flooring gives it some beneficial properties. The lighter, thinner material means it can be installed as a floating floor, meaning it doesn’t require any fasteners or glue to attach it to the floor surface and instead connects together. This also makes it easier to install than hardwood flooring is. Because the laminate is made with a wear layer it doesn’t need to be finished or recoated.

The production process, materials, and easy installation make laminate flooring a slightly cheaper flooring option, but that ease comes with some downsides.

The Benefits of Hardwood Flooring

Quality hardwood is comprised totally of wood apart from the factory finish that is sometimes applied to it; this is a noted distinction from the engineered wood that is produced with a plywood base. The pure wood offers a number of benefits that other materials just can’t match.

The surest quality of using premium hardwood for your flooring installation is that it lasts. While laminate flooring is generally good for up to 10 years, hardwood flooring can last a lifetime with proper maintenance, only needed the occasional refinish or repair. This durability comes from the fact that hardwood lasts, for instance there were wooden beams that were in the Notre Dame cathedral that were hundreds of years old.

Of course, these benefits mean that materials and installation will cost more than laminate flooring, but the great part about hardwood flooring is that it maintains its value as well. Part of the reason for this value is that it lasts as we previously stated, but another reason is the sheer beauty of a well finished hardwood floor. As long as the flooring is in decent shape it will increase the resale value of any property it’s installed in, well making up for the greater cost when it’s put it. Hardwood floors are an investment in your home.

Hardwood Flooring vs Laminate

With both materials having their positive qualities, how do you decide which flooring material is right for you? It will really come down to what you need it for. If you’re looking for a quick repair or turn-around, laminate can be done quickly and cheaply, even by yourself. If you’re looking for a quality hardwood installation that will last for decades and improve the look and value of a home then hardwood flooring is the top option.

Of course, other factors like location and room use could be part of your decision making as well, for example, while it may seem like hardwood floors wouldn’t do well in a space like a kitchen, they’re actually a fairly popular kitchen option and can handle occasional wetness well, unlike laminate floors in which water damage builds up between the floor connections.

Interested in hardwood floors? Then be sure to contact Artisan Wood Floors. Steve has more than two decades of experience in the wood flooring industry and his knowledgeable team has the expertise to make your dream home a reality. Call at (215) 515-7355 or contact us using the form the left.