Hardwood Vs. Laminate Wood Flooring: Making The Right Choice

24 July 2024
Hardwood Vs. Laminate Wood Flooring: Making The Right Choice

Choosing the right flooring can seem like a daunting decision to make. But, it doesn’t have to be so intimidating! Whether you’re moving into a new place, or trying to spruce up your current property, choosing a flooring will be one of the decisions you need to make! Our guide gives you a full breakdown of the differences between hardwood flooring and laminate flooring, so that you can make an informed decision. To learn more, keep on reading. 

Hardwood Vs. Laminate: Key Differences

Hardwood and laminate flooring may seem pretty similar at face value, but there are key differences that set these flooring types apart. 

Hardwood Flooring

  • Finished with either lacquer or oil.
  • Fastened with either glue, nails or both
  • Solid natural wood & engineered wood
  • Difficult to complete as a DIY job

Laminate Wood Flooring

  • Hard wearing melamine wear layer
  • Floating attachment to subfloor, no fasteners
  • High density wood fibre
  • Easier to complete as DIY job

Appearance & Comfort 

One of the great things about laminate flooring is that it looks very much like natural hardwood flooring, at a much lower cost. However, hardwood floors maintain a natural and rustic appearance, as they are made from natural wood. They can produce a more

characterful and lively appearance, but they maintain a unique aesthetic over laminate flooring. 

Maintenance & Care 

Before choosing your flooring, thinking about maintenance and care is very important. Laminate flooring must always be kept dry, and water should not be left to pool on this type of flooring. Water damage, or any damage to laminate flooring will result in the boards being replaced, rather than repairing the original flooring. Hardwood flooring should also be kept as dry as possible, and both flooring types should only be cleaned with dry brooms or very slightly damp mops.

Lifespan 

On the whole, laminate flooring typically lasts around 15-25 years with good care and maintenance, with some lasting even up to 30 years. Hardwood flooring materials may last up to 100 years with proper maintenance. In the past we have renovated pine floorboards

from circa 1860!

Cost

Laminate flooring is definitely a more cost effective option, as it costs less to install over hardwood floors. 

So, Which One Is Better? 

Deciding which flooring types is better depends entirely on the customer. Depending on your needs and the circumstance of your property, our guide can help you narrow down the most effective option. 

Just Wood Flooring: A Flooring Company You Can Trust

Here at Just Wood Flooring, we offer a great selection of quality flooring for your home or property. To learn more about our product range, feel free to contact us today for more information. Our team will be happy to help you find what you’re looking for and answer any questions you may have.