One of a home’s distinguishing elements is its flooring. Because it is a naturally welcoming, attractive, and timeless material, wood flooring remains one of the most popular choices.
While many older, more conventional homes still have their original hardwood flooring, many contemporary homes have laminate floors. What is laminate flooring, and how does it work?
It’s a type of fake hardwood that has a natural appearance and feels to it but at a lesser cost.
Key Takeaways
- Hardwood is made of natural wood and is more durable and long-lasting than laminate.
- Laminate is made of synthetic materials and is more affordable and easier to maintain than hardwood.
- Laminate can mimic the appearance of hardwood, but it does not have the same natural variation and texture.
Hardwood vs Laminate
Hardwood and Laminated floors differ because hardwood flooring is a visually appealing, high-end construction material with unquestionable clout, whereas Laminate flooring can resemble genuine wood. People can nearly always detect that laminate flooring is not real hardwood. Engineered hardwood is suitable for installation on concrete, and It is possible to put Laminated flooring over concrete or even most other surfaces.
Hardwood flooring does have a lovely, natural feel that appeals to many homes. There are several types of wood, dyes, and finishes to pick from, giving you a plethora of alternatives.
On the other hand, hardwood flooring is readily scratched if not properly kept. Furthermore, if exposed to the sun for an extended period, some hardwood flooring might get stained.
Laminate flooring does not scrape as easily as hardwood flooring, and its look will not deteriorate as quickly. Laminate flooring is man-made, and while it closely resembles wood in appearance, it lacks the authenticity of real wood.
Laminate wood flooring is comprised of composite wood that has been heated and pressed together.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Hardwood | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Hardwood flooring is a visually appealing, high-end construction material with unquestionable clout. | Laminate flooring can resemble genuine wood. People can nearly always detect that laminate flooring is not real hardwood. |
| Composition: | In hardwood, 100% wood is used. | Only finishing looks like wood, fiberboard is used in laminated wood. |
| Durability: | Hardwood is very durable and has a very long lifespan. | Laminated wood also has a good life span and is less prone to scratches. |
| Usage on concrete: | Engineered hardwood is suitable for installation on concrete. | It is possible to put it over concrete or even most other surfaces. |
| Repair | Hardwood could be restored by sanding and repairing flaws. | Laminate flooring is difficult to repair; replacing the floor is a far better alternative. |
What is Hardwood?
Hardwood flooring appeals to many homeowners because of its gorgeous, natural feel. There are a variety of wood kinds, dyes, and finishes to pick from, giving you a lot of possibilities.
However, if not properly kept, hardwood floors can quickly be scuffed. Furthermore, if exposed to the sun for an extended length of time, some hardwood floors might get discolored.
Hardwood is a genuine deal; it’s beautiful and may add significant value to your property, depending on the type of wood.
Hardwood is stretchable, may be harmed by excessive dampness, and can wear over time, especially in high-traffic areas. Hardwood flooring is attractive and long-lasting, especially in low-traffic areas such as bedrooms and dining rooms.
Hardwood flooring, on the other hand, may reveal scratches and wear over time if you have pets or a lot of foot activity.
Hardwood flooring is not recommended for basements or bathrooms with a lot of dampness. Continuous sunshine, on the other hand, might discolor your hardwood floors over time.
Engineered hardwood is eligible for even installation on the concrete floor. Hardwood flooring is more genuine than others and also has a longer lifespan, laminate flooring is the most cost-effective alternative.
What is Laminate?
Laminate flooring does not scrape as easily as hardwood floors, and its look will not deteriorate as quickly. Laminate flooring is synthetic, and while its pattern frequently mimics the appearance of wood, it does not appear genuine.
Laminate wood flooring is comprised of composite wood that has been heated and pressed together.
The laminate is then formed by placing a hardwood image over the composite wood and coating it. The components are less expensive, and laminate wood installation costs around half as much as hardwood installation. Laminate flooring is difficult to repair.
It may be possible to replace individual boards if you buy flooring that comes in individual sections and snaps together, however, the new piece may not match perfectly depending on sunlight and age.
Laminate flooring is more resistant to wear and tear from dogs and foot traffic since it is so durable.
While it may handle moisture better than hardwood, it should not be used regularly in a damp region of the house. Laminate flooring does not normally fade in the sun due to its finish.
It looks like hardwood flooring and may be safely utilized in places with plenty of windows.
Main Differences Between Hardwood and Laminate
- A professional or experienced expert ideally places hardwood since it interlocks. Laminate clicks together as well, but any broken laminate pieces would need to be replaced entirely, whereas hardwood may be repaired by sanding and refinishing.
- While hardwood flooring is more genuine and also has a longer lifespan, laminate flooring is the most cost-effective alternative. Both are quite long-lasting, with laminated becoming less prone to scratches and simpler to clean.
- Hardwood links and is preferably installed by a specialist or skilled do-it-yourselfer. Laminate clicks together too, however, to repair a damaged laminate, parts must be replaced, whereas hardwood may be repaired by sanding and refinishing.
- Hardwood is scratch-prone, may be harmed by excessive dampness, and will exhibit wear, particularly in frequently travelled places. Whereas laminate is more durable, it lacks aesthetic appeal. Lower-quality laminate may feature wood grain textures that appear fake.
- Hardwood could be restored by sanding and repairing flaws, whereas Laminate flooring is difficult to repair; replacing the floor is a far better alternative.
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40725-018-0071-x
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00107-020-01572-3
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
This article explains in detail the key differences between hardwood and laminate flooring. Thank you!
It is important to note that hardwood flooring can significantly add value to your property.
Laminate flooring is an innovative solution with a great price-value ratio.
It’s interesting that laminate wood flooring can be a more durable and affordable alternative to hardwood.
This article makes a strong case for both hardwood and laminate flooring. The pros and cons of each are well-explained.
The comparison between hardwood and laminate flooring is very informative. Thanks for sharing!