What are the pros and cons between laminate vs. hardwood flooring?

Question

Looking for more than just price as being the major difference.

Answer 1

Here are the advantages and/or disadvantages of both. Laminate floors are more resistant but will damage given the proper punishment. Here are the basic differences between lamintae and hardwood floors:

Laminate Floors:

- Photographed image/repeating patterns
- Lifespan is limited. Less than 20 years
- Easier to maintain
- Cannot be refinished
- Difficult to repair
- Brand lines discontinued often
- Fade resistant
- Scratch resistant
- Will not help resale value of home

Hardwood Floors:

- Natural/no one piece is alike
- Will last 20-100 years plus
- Improved maintanence
- Can be refinished
- Can be repaired easier
- Easier to find replacement solution
- Will darken/amber. Extent dependent on species.
- Will scratch easier
- Improves home resale value or time it takes to sell

Answer 2

Most of the money you spend when putting down real wood goes for labor.When installing laminate floors almost all money spent goes for the product and it will last a long time and easy to replace damaged pieces if needed.Real wood will dent and scratch easily and is expensive to sand and refinish

Answer 3

Laminates are less expensive, easy to install, and pre-finnished. Plank flooring is pricey, must be nailed, stapled or glued in place, and although some comes pre-finished, most must be sanded and finished. To most appraisers, the added value to the house is the same, while one is way cheaper to put in. My opinion- go with laminate, but not the cheapest one on the shelf. Good luck!!

Answer 4

Just to inforce Chucky's comment, any scratch or chip in laminate (yes they do contrary to what the sales agent says) will just have to stay because there is not enough wood to be able to sand and refinish.

Knowing how delicate it is......after a few years......I would be afraid of moving furniture, having a dog, dropping anything onto it, etc.

Personally I don't like walking on laminate.....it sounds funny and feels funny.

Answer 5

the laminant flooring cannot be sanded down and refinished.