Hardwood floors or lamination? Making the right choice

Hardwood flooring or laminates – understanding your options

When choosing the right material for any home improvement project, it is necessary to remain neutral till you are fully aware of the pros and cons of the subject. For instance, when weighing hardwood floors and Laminates as an option, it is necessary to understand the various aspects of both materials before you put in an order for purchasing. An expert can be a useful resource in comparing hardwood flooring to laminate floors.

The most common assumption regarding floors is that hardwood floors are sturdy and have a higher return on investment. While this may be true to a certain extent, the possibility of laminate floors as a viable option cannot be discounted.

Hardwood flooring vs Laminate: what sets these apart?

Hardwood floors

The flooring boards used in this type of flooring are made of solid hardwood. The thickness of the boards is generally ¾ inches, and their edges are designed to interlock. The top surface of these boards is milled smooth, and the installation is done by nailing these boards to the subfloor. If you opt for unfinished hardwood floors, they need to be varnished and stained once in place. You can also opt for the pre-finished option. Homeowners prefer the prefinished kind to cut down on installation time and excessive labour.

Laminate floors

the primary layer of laminated floors is made of fiberboards composed of wood by-products. The base layer is followed by another layer printed with a design that may resemble hardwood, marble, and any other style of your choice. Another protective layer is added to protect the design layer from scratches, dips, and other marks. The thickness of these boards is around 1/4th or 1/2nd of an inch, which makes them relatively thinner. Laminate flooring is created with click-lock-like edges that can be snapped together to secure them together. This type of flooring is often called “floating”, as it does not require glueing or nailing.

Features of hardwood vs Laminate flooring

Like all home improvement materials, hardwoods and laminates have their pros and cons. While hardwood may be the best option from one point of view, others may be more inclined towards laminate floors. Here is how these materials fit into different categories

Aesthetic appeal

Hardwood

As the name suggests solid wood is used in these floors, and the natural aesthetic of the wood shows through the varnish and stain. There are different types of wood that you can choose from and each has its appeal.

Laminate floors

Laminate floors as compared to hardwood flooring can be designed the way you like. The options are endless, and you can also get the same look as hardwood floors from laminate floors.

Durability

Hardwood floors

Hardwood floors are relatively sturdier and lasting compared to laminated floors. However, the maintenance of these floors is expensive and you have to hire a professional for hardwood floor sanding and polish at least once a year depending on the type of wood you have opted for. An expert can guide you on the maintenance processes before deciding which type of wood is the best for your home.

Laminate floors

Laminate floors are relatively less durable but they do not require any special maintenance and are completely waterproof. That said, these need to be reapplied after a few years as the top layers deteriorate. The design also fades after a while which means you have to opt for a redo quickly to preserve the subfloors.

Costs

Hardwood floors

Hardwood flooring is an expensive investment and the maintenance will also rake up the bill. That said, they are durable, aesthetically appealing, and will help your home fetch a higher price at the time of resale.

Laminate floors

Laminate floors are relatively cheaper and easier to maintain. Since most are floating floors the installation is also budget-friendly.

Who to call?

To make the right choice you need to find a reliable Flooring contractor in Kitchener. KW Interiors is one of the most reliable resources for homes in Kitchener.