If you’re looking to renovate your home, picking out your flooring is probably one of the first big decisions you’re going to make. Hardwood flooring and laminate flooring are two of the most popular choices among homeowners–and although they look pretty similar at first, there are plenty of differences between the two, from budget to maintenance. This raises the question: which flooring is the superior choice?
If you’re still struggling to decide between the two options, you might find yourself stuck weighing the pros and cons of each option. This guide will break down the costs and benefits of both options to help you make the best informed choice for your home.
Hardwood Floors: Timeless Elegance or Full-Time Job?
If the value and aesthetics of your home are your priorities hardwood is an excellent choice. Although the upkeep can be a time-consuming and tedious process, it can add more than its fair share of value to your home. Here are just some of the benefits of hardwood floors:
Timeless Value
Hardwood has been used for centuries (as far back as the 15th century!), and for good reason: hardwood is both durable and versatile, and it can work well with any aesthetic. For this reason, hardwood floors can easily raise the resale value of your home by about 75%
Longevity and Durability
With proper care and maintenance, hardwood floors can last for decades. Many older homes from as early as the 1900s still have their hardwood flooring installed. Even after years of scratching and staining, you can still refinish aged hardwood floors to restore their appearance.
Eco-friendly Appeal
Ethically sourced hardwood floors can be a great choice for environmentally conscious homeowners. For sustainable hardwood options, keep an eye out for reputable distributors certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or similar environmental nonprofits. These options are offered by plenty of floor installation companies, and they’re available in more places than you’d think!
The Downsides of Hardwood Flooring
Of course, the high resale value and durability of hardwood implies the obvious downside: hardwood floors aren’t cheap. Hardwood comes with its own share of challenges and drawbacks–not to mention, its durability doesn’t make it completely immune to damage.
Hardwood Floors? In THIS Economy?
The cost of hardwood flooring is the biggest drawback that homeowners face. Hardwood flooring comes out to an average of $16 per square foot; to install 1,000 square feet of hardwood (the equivalent of a 2-car garage or a large kitchen), the price tag will come out to about $16,000! Moreover, the cost of upkeep can add up over the years, making your authentic hardwood look more like a sinkhole than an investment.
High Maintenance
Unlike cheaper options such as vinyl and laminate, hardwood floors need regular maintenance to stay clean. Although frequent sweeping and mopping is a great option to reduce allergens and dirt, with hardwood floors, it’s a must to avoid dents and scratches. Regular refinishing is also required to fix the occasional (albeit inevitable) scratch or dent. Without proper maintenance, the wear and tear of everyday life can turn fixable damage into permanent scarring, almost irreversably damaging your home and its value.
Susceptible To Water Damage
It should go without saying that hardwood and water do not mix. If you live in a busy household where spills and accidents are commonplace, your authentic hardwood floors are bound to suffer some warping and staining over time. What’s more, water damage can’t be fixed with refinishing– that damage is permanent, and you’ll have to find a way to hide the staining or replace that section of the floor entirely. Both options are about as fun as you’d expect.
Laminate: Practical Choice or Practically Tacky?
Laminate floors– flooring made of pressed and layered synthetic materials– have come a long way from the cheap, plastic veneers of days past. Modern laminate flooring can mimic hardwood so closely, many people can’t tell the difference until they get up close; moreover, the water-resistant materials and easy installation make it a no-brainer for many homeowners.
Budget-Friendly
To put it bluntly, laminate is almost always the cheaper option when compared to any other flooring– starting at as low as $1 per square foot. Because the material itself is so versatile, laminate also gives you plenty of options for customization at your disposal; you can get the look of hardwood, tile, or even stone without the mess of installation or the hefty price tag.
Resistant to Water Damage
Unlike hardwood, water-resistant laminate can tank the damage from spills and moisture. The synthetic materials used in laminate can also stand up to surface-level scratches and dents, making it more resistant to scratches and dents from years of heavy foot traffic. Laminate flooring is a great choice for busy households with kids, pets, or other mess-makers who might otherwise damage expensive floors.
Easy Installation, Low Maintenance
Unlike hardwood and tile, laminate floors are often sold in “click-lock” pieces that allows the individual tiles to snap together. This makes laminate flooring a favorite for DIY home renovation enthusiasts; no need for expensive installation when you have everything you need to install it yourself. Laminate flooring also doesn’t take much to stay clean. Sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping are pretty much all it needs to stay neat and tidy; no polish or refinishing required.
The Downsides of Laminate Flooring
Of course, the low-budget appeal of laminate has its own share of problems. Homeowners with expensive tastes might be quick to write off laminate as a cheap, tacky alternative to hardwood. What’s more, although laminate flooring is certainly more durable than hardwood, it certainly doesn’t hold up as well against the inescapable passage of time.
“Not Real Wood”
The most obvious criticism is that laminate is, of course, not real wood. No matter how good it looks, laminate can never perfectly imitate the look and feel of real hardwood; after all, it’s essentially a photograph of wood grain printed on a smooth surface. If you’re looking for authentic, organic flooring on a budget, you’ll either need to compromise with laminate or find other options
Decreased Durability Lifespan
While laminate is durable, it certainly isn’t destructible. Damaged laminate can’t be sanded or refinished– you’ll just have to replace that entire section, which can be a tedious process. Moreover, while hardwood floors can last for decades with the right care, laminate can show some signs of aging after 10 or so years, and might need to be entirely replaced after 15 or 25 years.
Lower Resale Value
While laminate flooring has come a long way since its first appearance in 1977, some prospective homeowners might argue that laminate is merely a lower-quality option compared to hardwood. Though good-quality laminate can still appeal to buyers, it might not increase your home’s resale value as much as authentic wood flooring.
Hardwood vs. Laminate: Which is Really Better?
That brings us to the big question: is hardwood really worth the price and maintenance, or is laminate the smarter choice? The answer, of course, depends on what matters most to you.
If you love the idea of natural materials in your home and have the resources to maintain them, hardwood floors are your best bet. Hardwood floors are a classic, durable choice that can add some serious resale value to your home. On the other hand, if you’re more focused on practicality over authenticity, laminate is a fantastic option for your home. It gives you the look of wood without the headache of constant upkeep; it’s also more water-resistant, making it a safer bet for busy kitchens and homes where spills are common.
Wrapping Up the Debate
In the end, both hardwood and laminate have their pros and cons, and it really comes down to your priorities as a homeowner. Whatever you choose, just know there’s no wrong decision. It’s your home, and you should choose the flooring that makes the most sense for your lifestyle, budget, and personal taste.
Whether you’re a hardwood fan or a laminate enjoyer, St. Patrick’s Flooring does it all. If you’re looking for a partner on your next project, contact the team to get a free quote for your home– after all, nothing beats a new floor done right!