2007-02-15 05:50:51 · 9 answers · asked by carlitos g 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
Hardwood looks nicer and adds to the value, can be refinished if it's damaged, harder to install.
laminant is easier to maintain, no refinishing, and looks OK. easier to install. If it's laminated wood veneer you can't refinish it. If it the polycarbonate laminant it always looks fake.
quality vs convenience
2007-02-15 05:57:11 · answer #1 · answered by Sarge1572 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are going to keep your house for a long time I would go with real hardwood it is strong if it gets scratched its easy to fix it can be refinised numerous times often able to last hundreds of years.
Laminate is cheaper and although is scratch resistant with the factory finish once the finish is worn many floors need to be replaced, some however do have a slightly thicker piece of real wood on top that lets you refinish the floor a few times, while the others either have an extremely thin piece of wood on the top or just a paper photo of wood under the wear layer.
With some laminate spilling water on them can be disasterous especially when some have the fiberboard backing which can swell and force you to replace the section of floor.
2007-02-15 06:15:07 · answer #2 · answered by c m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Laminate is less expensive and looks quite good, in the short run. Determine your budget and stretch for the hardwood if you can. When you have hardwood floors finished, be sure of your flooring contractor. What separates a good hardwood floor job from a bad one is not just the quality of the installation, but the finish. Polyurethane is a generic term that covers a wide range of products. That is why you can go into a hardware or paint store and find such a wide range of price levels. Even a company like Minwax makes several grades. Many hardwood floor finishers in this area buy stuff that only costs about $30 for a 5 gallon bucket. Obviously, their jobs don't wear well. One indication that the hardwood finisher is using really thin poly is drying time. The real thin stuff dries faster, allowing more coats in a day.
2016-05-24 03:58:00 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had both and really prefer hardwood. No matter the brand, laminate looks like weelll 'laminate'. Even a blind man can tell the didderence. Laminate has a distinct 'plastic like' click when you walk across it or drop something on it. The prefinished wood floors are much prettier and just as durable.
2007-02-15 06:00:25 · answer #4 · answered by mustanger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We installed a laminate floor a few years back and got lots of compliments on it. BUT, if I were to do it again, I'd definitely get hardwood. More expensive, but looks better. Have to be very careful with spills on the laminate, it can bubble and peel if you don't completely dry it off as soon as possible. Not great if you have pets or kids, or chance of coming in the house with wet shoes.
2007-02-15 06:26:19 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Laminate is usually cheaper and less likely to scratch, but hardwood can't be matched in beauty. It depends on what you value more.
2007-02-15 05:54:35 · answer #6 · answered by Valerie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go with hard wood this is the best and holds its value . try Bealiu there the cheapest and probably the best , or Shaw , Shaw is real good hard wood floors are whats in and will increase the value of your home
2007-02-15 05:58:58 · answer #7 · answered by dan m 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HARDWOOD ALL THE WAY MAY WILL COST MORE THAN LAMINATE BUT IS WAY MORE DURABLE AND EFFICIENT
2007-02-15 06:31:26 · answer #8 · answered by DI'MARIO 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like the real deal.
2007-02-15 05:55:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋