Floor Hardwood Vs Laminate

Hardwood has been around for hundreds of years.

Floor hardwood vs laminate. In this guide we present a prime time cage match of two competing materials. Let s explore the differences between laminate and hardwood floors. Even so the cost of hardwood varies drastically with some woods oak maple american cherry being fairly affordable and others exotic wood species. Then a transparent wear layer is applied to protect the surface.

The complete guide to laminate vs engineered wood flooring two popular hardwood floor alternatives on the market right now are laminate and engineered hardwoods. Laminate flooring really depends. The winner of engineered hardwood vs. Engineered wood flooring.

Both are strong durable floors that are less expensive than natural wood but laminate flooring typically costs less. Because they share similarities in looks and composition consumers often use these terms interchangeably. Laminate flooring is a fully man made material that consists of several layers. Laminate runs 1 to 7 per square foot depending on the quality.

The boards usually 3 4 inch thick are generally milled with a smooth top surface and tongue and groove edges that interlock to hold the boards together. If your remodeling project or new construction calls for the look and feel of traditional hardwoods then your three main flooring options will be laminate hardwood and engineered wood floors. Both materials mimic a natural wood floor beautifully but if you re all about natural beauty you might prefer the solid wood top of an engineered. If you re set on having a real hardwood look an engineered hardwood is an easier installation and more affordable price point than a solid hardwood.

Hardwood floors are made from many different species of wood some domestic and some exotic solid hardwood is made of a single plank of wood with the grain running straight through while engineered hardwood is made of a wood veneer 1 on top of many layers of plywood 2 both come in a wide range of colors and wood grain patterns as well as plank widths and finishes. Laminate flooring generally is less expensive than engineered hardwood. Engineered hardwood debate right there. Appearance of laminate flooring vs engineered hardwood engineered hardwood floors give the look of a hardwood floor and come in a range of looks textures styles and colors.

It is even common for real estate agents to highlight hardwood floors. With proper care hardwood flooring is a better long term investment than laminate flooring but hardwood s upfront costs may deter homeowners. The base is fiberboard with a photographic image layer bonded over the top. Hardwood flooring versus laminate flooring.

Solid hardwood flooring as the name suggests is comprised of flooring boards that are solid hardwood material through and through. Cost of laminate vs. For many folks that ends the laminate vs.