So you want to get some new flooring for your home. With so many choices these days, how do you choose the best material to go with? You’ll want something that looks fantastic but doesn’t burn a hole in your wallet.
Chances are you’ll also want something that will last for many years. Two popular flooring options that look great and are durable are laminate and hardwood. But which one is better for you? In short, you can go with solid hardwood floors if the budget permits. Here’s why:
Laminate Flooring
Firstly, let’s make sure we understand what laminate flooring is all about. Manufacturers make laminate flooring by using a core layer of fiberboard made from wood byproducts. They then print a design layer on top of the fiberboard to make it look just like wood or other materials like stone.
From the get-go, you can probably tell that laminate flooring isn’t exactly ‘the real deal’ – but there’s nothing wrong with that! Laminate flooring is an excellent way for people to cut costs while still achieving an amazing final look with their flooring. It is very common to see laminate flooring in condos and apartments because the builders want to save on costs and provide an attractive space. However, if you are a house owner, you can have more freedom to choose the flooring products.
Laminate flooring is affordable, and it’s easy to install. Still, there are downsides. If you look at it up-close, you can tell that it’s not real hardwood flooring. But more importantly, it has a much shorter lifespan when compared to hardwood flooring.
Hardwood Flooring
Solid hardwood floors are more expensive, but they are totally worth the investment; and there are countless types and colours to choose from. Manufacturers produce this type of flooring entirely from solid hardwood materials (hence the extra cost). Still, the wood is thick and taken from a single source. Then, it’s milled before the top layer is smoothened out to truly bring out the beauty of the wood.
So why is this the superior flooring choice? Well, for one, it’s much more appealing than laminate flooring. Laminate flooring tries to mimic hardwood flooring, but hardwood floors are already naturally beautiful. Plus, they are easy to clean, which means you don’t have to stress out about maintenance. Additionally, hardwood flooring will last a lifetime.
On top of that, having hardwood floors also helps to improve the value of a property. So, it’s more than just something attractive for your visitors to admire when they come over!
When comparing these two options, hardwood flooring wins every time. Sure, some people might complain about the added cost, but remember: it’s an investment. Flooring is something that you want to pay for and forget for the next few decades at least. With hardwood floors, all you have to worry about is the periodic maintenance. Still, once it has been installed in your home, it’ll be many years before you need to replace any part of it.
In addition, It is always recommended to check your local flooring stores to seek advice from experts. They can offer professional suggestions based on your needs and housing condition. After all, it is a long term investment that you don’t want to rush into it.
(Syndicated press content)
