Hardwood or laminate?
Laminate flooring is increasing in popularity, and there are scores of different finishes to choose from. But genuine hardwood flooring has an elegant look that adds warmth and timeless style to any room. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal choice whether it’s worth paying the extra expense for hardwood. Here are some facts about maintenance and performance that might help you to decide.
A scratch on a hardwood floor can be sanded down and easily repaired. This isn’t so easy on a laminate floor: you need a chip repair kit or a touch-up kit. If it’s a bad mark, you might need to replace the whole plank. So, for floors which will be subject to a lot of hard use, with the risk of even minor damage (from the claws of a dog, for example), a hardwood floor might retain its looks for longer.
Over time, hardwood floors tend to age. They might yellow or darken, or even fade slightly. This might be seen as an attractive feature of the maturing wood, but if you want a more stable colour, then laminate might be the answer. It’s worth remembering, though, that hardwood floors are tougher. A damaged hardwood floor can be restored, whereas a laminate floor really has only one lease of life.
Hardwood floors need a bit more care and maintenance (in the form of the occasional wax or polish) than laminates. But this might be worth the effort because your floor will look wonderful for decades.
The decision will rest partly on how much you can spend, since hardwood is more expensive than laminate. If you can afford hardwood, it will perform better in some areas of the house, but it may be less necessary in other, less-used parts. A laminate floor is a slightly more disposable option, so if you want a shorter term, cheaper solution, then it will do very well.
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