Is wood laminate a good buy if you cant affford real wood flooring?

Answer 1

Hardwood flooring is one of the most beautiful, economical and practical flooring surfaces. My favorite. Tried and true it's been in peoples homes for centuries. 3/4" hardwood can be refinnished multiple times for a permanent flooring surface for the lifetime of the home. If you don't require a permanent solution for flooring, laminate can give you the look you desire with many benefits. Laminate flooring doesn't stain, is very scratch resistant and durable. The density of the core will determine the overall core strength of the flooring as will the wear layer surface applied to the surface. Some laminates are designed to last 20 years or more some cheaper brands from China will last only 5 years depending upon the traffic level and lifestyle of your home. Over the long term real wood is more economical. Short term laminate will be an easy hard surface floor to take care of and clean.

Answer 2

Oh yea. Ive worked 20 years on the building site and mostly on carpentry and being a foreman. I'd put down laminate even when I do have the money. True, natural wood is more beautiful, but not by much and the imitation stuff is like ten times easier to keep clean, to fit and everything.

Answer 3

laminate flooring is pure garbage- it is a picture of real wood on a man made substance-saw dust and glue. If you get it wet, it swells like a sponge. If you damage a piece, you have to take up the entire floor all the way to that piece. It might be ok for old people, but if a kid drags something across it, you got problems

Answer 4

The best way is to ask someone that installs hardwood flooring and vise versa. Each contractor will give you the pros and cons.
My personal opinion is that hardwood is the best even though it costs more. I would rather wait and save up the extra money. There are too many choices of types of wood laminate and methods of installation. That alone would have to be considered.

Answer 5

Yes.

We've had "real" wood and wood laminate floors in our houses. We liked the laminates better because the wood floors got dings and scratches easily, were harder to keep clean, and need periodic refinishing.

Answer 6

Laminate is a good buy, maybe even a better buy, even if you CAN afford real wood flooring. It wears better, requires less maintenance, comes in a greater variety of styles and colors, and looks great!

Answer 7

You will get a better longer lastng floor if you go with laminate flooring.It looks like real wood but stronger and easier to install.Real wood will scratch and dent

Answer 8

i recently installed a laminate or floating floor in a room in my house. the installation was relatively simple and the floor looks good. if you read the instructions you'll find you can remove and replace a single piece. my only reservation is the sound of footfalls - a kind of clopping sound is the best description i can give. try to find someone who has one and will let you walk on it.