Look at a flyer from your local home renovation store, and you’re guaranteed to find weekly specials on laminate flooring. Laminate looks like hardwood but costs much less, which begs the question: Is laminate really a good alternative to hardwood?
When examining your flooring options, there are some basic factors you must consider first, such as the volume of foot traffic and the potential for moisture problems. You may also want to think about what this investment means for the resale value of your home. Equipped with this information, you can begin to weigh your options.
Hardwood and Laminate Defined
Traditional hardwood is exactly what it sounds like—solid hardwood throughout. The biggest downsides to hardwood have always been its price and its susceptibility to moisture. However, with the advent of engineered hardwood floors, homeowners now have more options for a real wood floor. Engineered hardwood is made of cross-laminated layers of wood with a hardwood veneer surface.
Laminate flooring, on the other hand, is a picture of wood attached to composite fiberboard, under a clear melamine finish. It is considerably less expensive than hardwood and offers more options for installation, including some that do not require glue.
Hardwood vs. Laminate: The Day-to-Day
- Moisture: Hardwood is affected by changes in humidity and is not recommended for bathrooms, kitchens, or below grade. Engineered hardwood requires a moisture barrier to be laid down first, but with this layer in place, it is suitable for all rooms, above and below grade. Many laminate floors are water-resistant, but you should check the warranty to see what is and is not covered.
- Installation: The installation of hardwood floors is fairly difficult and is not usually recommended as a do-it-yourself project. Laminate floors, however, are installed as floating floors. The planks can be glued together, pre-glued, or clicked and locked into place. The ease of installation makes laminate a good choice for those wanting to install their floor themselves. Like laminate, engineered hardwood is much easier to install than traditional hardwood. Both laminates and engineered hardwood require a layer of padding to reduce noise when walking.
- Durability: Hardwood floors tend to dent and scratch more easily than laminate floors. They can also fade if exposed to a lot of sunlight. On the plus side, traditional hardwood can be refinished. Depending on the veneer, engineered hardwood can sometimes be refinished, but usually no more than once. Laminate floors are highly resistant to scratches and dents but can be chipped. Once damaged, they cannot be easily repaired. If significant damage occurs, you may need to replace the entire floor. Laminate does not fade in sunlight and is stain-resistant.
- Longevity: A well-maintained hardwood floor can last a lifetime, and floating engineered hardwood floors can last anywhere between 40 and 80 years. In contrast, a laminate floor is estimated to last up to 20 years.
- Aesthetics: Because laminate is essentially an image of wood, some people may find its aesthetic value less appealing than that of real wood. With real wood, there are significant variations in the grain, whereas laminate floors repeat the same pattern every few boards.
Hardwood vs. Laminate: The Bottom Line
Ultimately, you must consider your budget and long-term needs when deciding between these two popular flooring options. Hardwood costs more to purchase and install but lasts longer and offers greater resale value for a home. Laminate is cheaper, easier to install, and provides considerable durability—though it doesn’t offer the same longevity as hardwood.
