What is Laminate Flooring?

Question

Besides one being real wood and the other being fake wood. What is the difference? I'm deciding on installing real hardwood or laminate. I don't want to particpate in destorying the rainforest so I perfer using laminate. If anyone has used laminate before please let me know if you like it and did you install it yourself? I need it installed on my stairs as well.

Thanks all
Elle

Answer 1

Go with hardwood. Choose a flooring manufacturer that replaces more trees than they use in a year. Laminate is fake and it looks fake and sounds fake when you walk on it.

Answer 2

Hi! I am an Interior Designer, so hopefully I can clear this up for you. You are correct about laminate, it is fake (photo) compared to harwood floors.
A few wood drawbacks: Can be damaged by sunlight, easily scratches and dents, swells & warps with tempature changes, about 2x the cost of laminate (aprox. $12 sq ft uninstalled), requires refinishing and waxing (refinish aprox. 20 yrs).
Wood features: beautiful & warm look, adds value to your home.
Laminate drawbacks: Loud, somewhat cold, can get expensive (about $5 sq ft uninstalled for good quality), can warp with water damage, can look fake (depending on how much you spend).
Laminate Features: Easy installation, affordable "wood" look, durable (will not scratch and dent like wood), easy maintnance.
Bottom line is are you wanting durability or a "look"? Hardwood is an investment (that you will get back) but it is a lot more maintenance than laminate. If you decide to go with either, go to a flooring store not Home depot or Lowes. The quality is subpar and although you may pay a little more up front, you are less likely to have issues in the future.
As far as the rainforest subject....I tend to think they balance themselves out. Think about all the manufacturing that goes into making a laminate. If you go with real wood, select a manufactured floor (the wood in a thin layer on top VS solid wood). Timber goes about 10X further with manufactured (more of the tree can be used). Also, keeping away from exoctic wood can help rainforests as well. A local flooring retailer can help you with selecting "green" products if this is a concern of yours (more people need to be aware like you!)

PS another responce indicates that you can't install laminate on stairs. This is not true. Most laminate companies make "trims" that can serve this purpose. Ask for "stair-nosing"

Answer 3

This becomes a personal choice as there is no right or wrong answer. For some people laminate flooring screams fake and they need real hardwood. The advantages of hardwood are that they increase the value of your home, add warmth and beauty, can be sanded and refinished if they become scratched can last a hundred years or more. Today's finishes make them easier to care for than before. You do need to take preventative maintenance to prevent scratching such as putting felt pads on your furniture.

For other people the major component comes down to cost and laminate flooring can be half the cost of hardwood and they are happy with its appearance. Many do it yourself-er love that it is easy to install and easy to maintain. They have better scratch and dent resistance but cannot be sanded and refinished. You should go to a reputable flooring store and take a look at samples so you can decide for yourself. As for the green portion many companies are managing forests in a much more environmentally friendly way or you may want to take a look at bamboo.

Answer 4

Which do I prefer ? Being a purist, I'd always go hardwood. Laminate is layered wood, 3 layers, the layer in the middle facing the opposite direction to the outer layers ( for strength ). Hardwood wouldn't be durable enough sliced so thinly. The layers on the laminate in theory renders itself useless in rooms exposed to leaks ie. kitchen and bathroom.

Why Hardwood ? Has more character as the ageing process is more appealing to the eye.
You can pretty much have any finish that you want.
Hardwood has structural properties ie you'd be able to use it for your staircase. This would be impossible with the laminate.
Laminate looks plastic and has to be fitted onto a level floor. If the floor is not level, you may be walking along a gymnasts springboard.

Paul Josef Narloch
www.knob-snobs.co.uk

Answer 5

I installed laminate in three rooms and a hallway. It won't scratch as easily as hardwood but it is not recommended for locations where water can easily come in contact with it as it will eventually seep through the seems and ruin it from underneath. You can however seal the seems with glue or , as another poster recommended, silicon sealant. I installed it in my kitchen, sealed the seems and haven't had a problem - yet. Hardwood is also susceptible to water damage. With laminate, you cannot refinish the surface as you can with hardwood. Laminate is generally cheaper although high end stuff can be as expensive as a lot of hardwood. The subfloor has to be even with both hardwood and laminate.

Answer 6

Wood is much harder to keep up for years to come. Laminate does not stain if something wet spills on it. Much easier to keep up, especially if you have pets.