The options for new flooring for many homeowners typically come down to hardwood or laminate. The differences between these two types of flooring can be perplexing at first, so we created a straightforward comparison of hardwood and laminate flooring that outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each floor type in terms of appearance, durability, and maintenance.
Wood flooring vs. Laminate Flooring
A multi-layer synthetic flooring product is laminate. It is intended to resemble genuine wood in appearance. Melamine resin and fiber board are typically used in the creation of the core layer of laminate flooring in Sydney. An imprinted, textured picture with a wood-like appearance is present in the top layer. A form of wood floor called engineered hardwood flooring is made up of numerous layers of plywood or wood. Solid wood or plywood planks are cross-laid to create the bottom and middle layers. Solid-sawn wood lamellas make up the top layer, which is frequently stained and factory-finished. Solid hardwood flooring planks, which can be bought unfinished or prefinished, are made from single pieces of wood.
Appearance and Aesthetics
The distinction between hardwood and laminate flooring is blatantly apparent in terms of appearance. Since the wood grain of real wood varies greatly, no two planks of hardwood flooring—whether solid or engineered—exactly resemble one another. In laminate flooring, the floor surface is embossed with pre-designed patterns that mimic the appearance of the wood grain. Because of this, similar patterns appear on average every five boards. Although some high-quality laminate floors may appear to be made of real wood, repetition is inevitable because it is impossible to replicate the uniqueness of real wood.
Care
Laminate and hardwood floors demand roughly the same amount of regular maintenance. You’re done once you sweep, vacuum, and clean up any spills. However, if you spill red wine on some hardwood floors, the result will be red floors. And anyone who owns a dog or young children must simply learn to put up with the scratches that hardwoods frequently receive.
Durability
Most laminate floorings are created by pressing aluminum oxide and melamine resin together under intense pressure and heat to create the outer layer. The resultant floor surface is frequently more durable than real wood. The majority of laminate floor surfaces have excellent resistance to fading, staining, and moisture damage. In fact, many trustworthy laminate flooring producers provide finish warranties ranging from 10 to 25 years.
A real hardwood floor’s durability varies depending on the finish, the manufacturer, and care procedures. Natural wood may dent more easily than a pressured composite surface because it is softer. As opposed to damaged laminate flooring, solid or engineered hardwood floors may often be refinished, rejuvenated, or mended without the need to replace individual planks or even the entire floor. For instance, if a plank of oiled wood is harmed, it may be repaired by first physically sanding the harmed region, then simply adding additional color and oil. Simple DIY spot repairs are not viable with laminate flooring. That is why the majority of homeowners think about wood flooring installation.