hardwood vs. laminate wood flooring?

Question

This question is for people who own hardwood floors or laminate wood floors or both. Which would you recommend? Tell me the pros and cons of both.

ps- I don't care which is easier to install ::laminate i know::

Answer 1

I have both in my home.

As far as value of a house. Hard wood will increase the value.
Contrary to some people's beliefs, laminate does not make a clicking sound when walking on it. And does not always look "cheap" or "fake" yes, you can tell the difference, but there are laminates out there that can cost just as much as a decent wood floor.
As far as clicking goes, this can happen if you do not put a pad down on the subfloor before installing the laminate. Buying a pad or even laminate that his a soft pad backing, helps to increase the wear and life of the floor. Just like putting a carpet pad down before installing carpet.

Hardwood does not work as well in all areas like laminate does. Wood can warp, and does not last as long in damp areas. Laminate can be glued and sealed helping to prevent water from seeping through and rotting or destroying subflooring.
Even if using joists under a hardwood floor to raise the floor off a damp ground, moisture can still be trapped with expanding and contracting wood.
This is another thing, wood changes shape much more than laminate.

Hardwood is also considered a more classic choice.
Laminate colors, and patterns go in and out of style.

My brother lives in an 80 year old house. The 2nd floor has all the original hardwood. Slowly he is refinishing the floors upstaris, but no wood has been replaced. That's an 80 year old floor thats still going strong.
I can't say laminate will last that long.

There are a lot more variables involved and really depends on the house/building you're putting it in.
If you take care of your floor though, either wood or laminate and help ensure it's long life either can work.

The big factors are time and money.
If you have both though, I def suggest hardwood. In the end the return is much bigger.

Answer 2

I put in my house a 5/16 hardwood made by Bruce Hardwood. It is a pre-finished product. It goes down really quick. not as fast as Laminate. I have a Retriever and there are some scratches. The varnish isn't as durable as what i expected. I refinished another room that the floor is 46 years old and applied a high-gloss finish. The high gloss has more durability than a gloss. there are no dog scratches on the high gloss. The hardwood can be replaced and or repaired a lot easier than laminate. I have installed both types, and have repaired both types. I will refinish the 5/16 this fall after 5 years of 2 kids and the dog.

Answer 3

It all depends on what you like. If you like the look of hardwood don't waste your time looking at laminate you will not like it. Laminate is actually stronger than wood, so if you have kids or big dogs laminate will hold up a lot better. Some people say laminate can't get wet or it will get ruined only if water gets under the floor water on the surface is fine and it will hold water longer than wood. I just find wood to look more elegant, and it does add more value to your home than laminate. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Hardwood without a doubt.

The laminate looks cheap and has a clicking sound when you walk on it. Hardwood has that heavy thud sound and just sounds more substantial.

Prefinished hardwood does not scratch that easily.

3/4" hardwood is not that much more expensive than laminate. When building my house, I upgraded about 800 sq. ft. from laminate to hardwood for about $500. Well worth the cost IMO.

Resale - hardwood will hold it's value. Laminate will be treated as vinyl. It won't help your resale.

Answer 5

Hardwood flooring is made of 100% wood. Laminate flooring is made of fiberboard with a fake-wood finish. While hardwood flooring is more authentic and has a longer life, laminate flooring is cheaper and better-suited for environments with a lot of moisture, such as a kitchen.

Answer 6

We have laminate in our home. I would love to and will have hardwood one day.

Why we chose laminate for this home:
Simply because this is our first home, which we only plan on living in for 4-5 years before selling and moving from California to Alaska. It is very popular in our area, and is a high selling point in our local market. It was easier for us to afford on a home that we don't plan on keeping. We have a permanently attached manufactured home and laminate is just easier for this type of installation. These homes are very popular in our area as well, so doing things that will maker our home more enjoyable for us ( I like the laminate don't get me wrong it looks nice for our home especially compared to the original carpeting in an almost 20 year old home), it was easy for us to install as first time homeowners and re-modelers, and our local home store has more selection of laminate than hardwood.

All that being said, when we do build our home up in Alaska i plan on having hardwood flooring instead of laminate.


As note:
We did a lot of research on our local market before deciding to purchase this home and install laminate. I think its something everyone needs to look at. We looked at traditional homes with hardwood and around here they are actually harder to sell. So our local market also had a lot to do with our decision.

Answer 7

I have both in my house. I love the hardwood, it definitely looks better than laminate. We had to do the laminate in an addition we put on because it was going right over cement (concrete?). I believe you have to have a subfloor to do the hardwood flooring (in our case the other rooms had plywood under carpeting).

Answer 8

I think where you live is a factor. In Florida, which is very damp and humid, I was advised against hardwood (you rarely see it in Florida, ususally ceramic tile...)and advised if I wanted a wood look, to get laminate. I love the look, but it doesn't "sound" like wood when you walk on it. I got the 25 year guarantee, which is as good as the one on engineered wood. If you don't live in humidity....get the real thing. It's gorgeous, and you really can tell the difference...

Answer 9

I have laminate in my house but if I had the money I would have definitely chosen hardwood or bamboo.. the bamboo is really beautiful and better for the environment since it grows so quickly and easily. laminate is very easy to install but hardwood is way more durable and will last you a lifetime.

Answer 10

Go with Hardwood flooring, I was used to all hardwood when I lived at home.Laminate wood is not as durable.

Read more here http://www.netwood.com.my/Product/Flooring.aspx