Introduction
Many homeowners' options for new flooring typically come down to hardwood or laminate. The differences between these two types of flooring can be perplexing at first, so we created a straightforward comparison of hardwood versus laminate, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each flooring material in terms of appearance, toughness, longevity, simplicity of upkeep and repair, and eco-friendliness.
Hardwood Flooring Vs. Laminate Flooring
Natural, long-lasting woods, like oak, maple, or hickory, are used to make hardwood flooring and, with proper maintenance, can endure a very long period. Although laminate flooring is far less expensive than hardwood, it will not last as long because it is constructed of a synthetic fiberboard composition and has a laminate finish. The fact that laminate flooring can occasionally be more resistant to stains, scratches, wetness, and even normal wear and tear does not imply that it is a particularly poor option. Much depends on maintenance and high-quality components. The visual allure of hardwood flooring is so widespread that laminate flooring is frequently created to mimic the colors and graining of hardwood; occasionally, it is also created to resemble stone. A product made of synthetic fiberboard, laminate flooring is occasionally referred to as “floating wood tile” in the United States. It typically consists of four layers: a stabilizing layer at the bottom that resists moisture, a layer of high-density fiberboard that has been treated, a layer with a photographic pattern to provide a surface design, a layer with a photographic pattern to provide a surface design, and a clear melamine resin layer at the top to help protect the laminate flooring from abrasion. Sometimes, the photographic pattern layer in more recent laminate flooring is swapped out for a thin piece of wood veneer.
Difference Between Hardwood Flooring and Laminate Flooring in Tabular Form
| Parameters | Hardwood Flooring | Laminate Flooring |
| Moisture resistance | Prone to warping, discoloration, or moisture infiltration. A slightly more water-resistant alternative is Engineered Hardwood. | There is some resistance; standing water cannot be handled. |
| Composition | Solid wood is cut into various sizes, giving it natural grains and tones ranging from light brown to neutral grey to deep, reddish bronze. The most popular hardwoods utilized are oak and maple. | Laminate flooring is a manufactured fiberboard product that typically consists of four layers: a stabilizing layer, a treated high-density fiberboard layer, a layer with a photographic pattern, and a layer of clear melamine resin. |
| Resale Value | Excellent. | Good to fair. |
| Environmental Considerations | Hardwood flooring can be very environmentally friendly if purchased from a trustworthy seller. Look for hardwoods that have received FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification. | The impact on the environment is difficult to assess. It is typical to employ recycled materials, although it is also created with a resin consisting of formaldehyde and melamine. Emissions of formaldehyde could have an impact on the environment and human health. |
| Prone to Damage | Prone to scratching and moisture damage. | Highly durable. |
| Upkeep | Use pads on the furniture’s feet to protect it from harm and to keep it dry and spotless. Never allow water to stand. Use the proper cleaners, which is especially crucial. | Use pads on the furniture’s feet to protect it from harm and to keep it dry and spotless. Never allow water to stand. Cannot be redefined or sanded. |
| Waterproof | No. | Yes, easy clean-up. Cannot withstand standing water. |
What is Hardwood Flooring?
Natural flooring comprised of hardwoods like oak or softwoods like pine is known as hardwood flooring. Hardwood flooring can be installed with a protective coating and stain or it can be pre-finished at the factory. The subfloor must be attached to the hardwood flooring with nails or staples.
Appearance
Wide planks, parquet, and other sizes of cuts are available in hardwood flooring, which is constructed of real solid wood with unique grains and tones, including light browns, neutral greys, and deep reddish bronzes. It can be finished or left unpainted, stained, or left natural. Since hardwood flooring is a better alternative to carpets for allergy sufferers, it has grown in popularity in recent years. The most popular hardwoods used for flooring are oak and maple. The visual allure of hardwood flooring is so widespread that laminate flooring is frequently created to mimic the colors and graining of hardwood; occasionally, it is also created to resemble stone.
Moisture
Wood is an organic, “breathing” substance that reacts to changes in temperature and humidity. Because of this, solid and engineered hardwood floors ought to be set up in areas where humidity levels are controlled and kept between 45 and 55 percent for solid floors and 45 and 65 percent for engineered floors. Despite the better dimensional stability of engineered hardwood floors, the majority of wood floor producers do not advise using them in bathrooms or kitchens, two spaces where humidity and temperature can vary greatly. Multilayer or engineered hardwood flooring is preferred over solid hardwood in hot, humid locations like Florida.
Longevity
Solid and engineered hardwood flooring can last a lifetime (40-80 years or more) with proper care. The floor can be sanded and redefined once the current finish has worn down to the proper level. Quality-engineered hardwood floors can be sanded and redefined once the current finish has worn down to the proper level. Quality-engineered hardwoods can be sanded up to four times whereas the majority of solid hardwood floors can be sanded up to 6-7 times. It is simple to understand how real wood floors outlast laminate given that the typical interval between sanding is 10 to 20 years. When it’s time to replace the old flooring, solid and engineered hardwood can be disposed of (or repurposed) without harming the environment.
Ease of Repair
Hardwood flooring, whether solid or manufactured, may be repaired far more easily than laminate. The entire floor can be sanded and restored if surface damage is severe. If the damage is only localized, it can be fixed by removing and replacing individual planks or, depending on the type of finish, even by physically sanding, staining, and redefining the affected area. with wire brushed and oiled hardwood floors, spot repairs are very simple and take only a few hours to complete.
Durability
The durability of a real hardwood floor varies based on the finish, the manufacturer, and the maintenance procedures. Natural wood is more easily dented since it is softer than a pressurized composite surface. It is quite simple to refinish, refresh, and repair solid or engineered hardwoods floors, frequently without replacing individual planks or the entire floor, as is the case with damaged laminate flooring. A damaged oiled wood floor plank, for instance, can be repaired by manually sanding the harmed area, then simply adding fresh color and oil. It is impossible to perform simple DIY spot repairs on laminate flooring.
Maintenance and Care
Additionally, be sure to keep hardwood floors dry. Only dry or slightly moist mops or brooms are suitable for cleaning hardwood floors. It is possible to repair and sand down damaged hardwood flooring.
What is Lamanite Flooring?
An artificial floor covering called laminate is constructed of fiberboard, a printed image layer that resembles wood, and a strong, clear top wear layer. Boards of laminate flooring range in thickness from 6 to 12 mm. Since they are made with snap-together edges, boards can be installed without using glue or nails.
Appearance
A product made of synthetic fiberboard, laminate flooring is occasionally referred to as “floating wood tile” in the United States. It typically consists of four layers: a stabilizing layer at the bottom that resists moisture, a layer of high-density fiberboard that has been treated, a layer with a photographic pattern to provide a surface design, a layer with a photographic pattern to provide a surface design and a clear melamine resin layer at the top to help protect the laminate flooring from abrasion. Sometimes, the photographic pattern layer in more recent laminate flooring is swapped out for a thin piece of wood veneer.
Moisture
Because of their excellent moisture resistance, laminate floors are frequently installed in basements, bathrooms, and kitchens. However, to prevent making expensive errors, it's crucial to thoroughly read the manufacturer's warranty and advice.
Maintenance and Care
You cannot allow water to collect on laminate flooring and must maintain it dry at all times. Therefore, you should only use a soft broom, a dry mop, or a mop that is just slightly damp to clean laminate flooring. Laminate flooring cannot be repaired if it is damaged. Remove and replace any damaged boards.
Longevity
Compared to hardwood flooring, laminate floors have a shorter lifespan. A laminate floor should last no longer than 20 years on average before needing to be replaced. It typically takes a family twenty years to degrade the floor finish. Because laminate floors cannot be sanded or redefined, wear-and-tear, surface scratches and other issues eventually cause the floor to be destroyed.
Eco-friendliness
Laminate floors are not organic because they are made by gluing several composite materials and melamine resin under intense pressure and heat. The majority of hardwood flooring producers in North America and Europe follow tight industry standards, creating flooring with no dangerous VOC emissions and utilizing glues that don’t contain formaldehyde. Large amounts of glue are utilized during laminate flooring production to join composite materials. These glues’ ingredients can be dubious, and its usual practice to utilize less expensive toxic glues that include formaldehyde and other hazardous substances. Once set up, these floors will continue to release hazardous materials into the air, endangering the health of nearby residents. Although there are high-quality, non-toxic laminate floors available, it is crucial to carefully investigate the manufacturer to be sure you are purchasing a quality, environmentally friendly product.
Ease of Repair
Laminate flooring is difficult to repair. Damaged planks can be taken out and changed in floating laminate flooring, which is put by snapping individual pieces together and setting them down without glue. The glue-down method of installing laminate flooring makes floor repair quite challenging. Sanding or repainting laminate is not an option. Due to variations in sunlight exposure, age, and wear levels, likely, new pieces will not accurately match the rest of the floor, even if broken planks are removed and replaced.
The Main Difference Between Hardwood Flooring and Laminate Flooring in Points
- Most laminates contain a protective layer, preventing excessive wear on the flooring. On the other hand, light and fluids can have an impact on the hardwood. You know you are on hardwood if there are any water stains or faded spots in locations with a lot of light.
- A chip might fly off laminate if you hit it with something, particularly hard, but you will need to do so. Hardwood flooring, on the other hand, is more prone to dents and scratches since it is softer. There is a possibility that you will find a dent or a natural indentation in the hardwood floor, even if it is brand-new.
- Tongue and groove construction allows for simple installation of laminate planks. Even though some hardwoods have tongue and groove planks, especially in older homes, hardwood can also be put with staples or nails. You will know for sure that the surface is hardwood if you see any staples or nails (unless it’s laminate trying hard to seem like hardwood).
- A pattern will recur on laminate flooring. It might not be immediately apparent, but only because you aren’t looking for it. You will probably discover boards with the same wood grain if you look closely enough. Since solid wood is used to make hardwood flooring, each board will be unique. Depending on the wood, there might also be knots; if the same knot isn’t present elsewhere, the wood is hardwood.
- Typically, the more expensive and long-lasting hardwood is, the harder it is. Most hardwood floors cost between $8 and $15 per square foot when labor costs for installation are taken into account.
Conclusion
The distinctions between hardwood and laminate flooring are initially perplexing, but upon closer inspection, they are rather clear. Both types of materials are widely available on the flooring market, but solid or engineered hardwood flooring is typically a better, healthier, and more environmentally friendly option than laminate.
References
- https://www.coswick.com/blog/deciding-between-hardwood-and-laminate-flooring-which-is-better/
- https://www.newinhomes.com/blog/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-hardwood-and-laminate-flooring
