Table of content
- Laminate Floor vs Hardwood Floor: Differences
- Price Breakdown
- Which Looks Better?
- Which Lasts Longer?
- Cleaning and Upkeep
- Water and Heat Resistance
- Resale Value
- Installation
- Which Is Better for the Environment?
- Best Floors for Each Room in Your Home
- What Both Types of Wood Floors Have in Common
- Important Things to Consider before Making Your Decision
- Getting Professional Floor Installation in Boston
Choosing between wood floors vs laminate flooring is one of the key decisions you’ll have to make while considering the design of your space. There’s no quick answer to the question of which option is better. However, taking your needs as a starting point for making the right decision is a good idea. For example, if your budget is limited, you’re open to DIY options, and expect high traffic, installing laminate might be a better choice. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a long-lasting investment, timeless elegance, and increased durability, install hardwood flooring.
Hesitating between laminate and hardwood flooring? Continue reading an article by the professionals at Floors Are Us to learn about the pros and cons of hardwood vs laminate flooring.
Laminate Floor vs Hardwood Floor: Differences
To help you navigate the search for an ideal flooring material, our experts compared real hardwood and laminate flooring against such criteria as flooring costs, visual appeal, longevity, cleaning and care, water and heat resistance, resale value, installation specifics, and environmental impact.
Check out the table below to gain more insight into the major differences and similarities between the two flooring options:
Feature | Hardwood floor | Laminate floor |
Cost | $10-$25+ | $2-$8 |
Look | Natural pattern with a unique wood grain | Mimics wood patterns; usually, lacks the depth and character |
Durability | 30-100+ years | 10-25 years |
Maintenance | Sweep or vacuum your flooring with a soft brush; occasionally mop your hardwood using a proper cleaner (it’s better to consult with a trusted flooring consultant before applying any cleaning products to your floors) | Sweep or vacuum flooring daily (even the smallest dust particles can cause damage); mop flooring at least once in a few days avoiding excessive water exposure |
Damage resistance |
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Property resale value | 70-80% on resale investment | Isn’t recouped during resale |
Installation | Nail/Glue to the subfloor | Click-and-lock/floating floor system |
Eco-friendliness | Highly sustainable if the wood is sourced from responsibly managed forest zones | Synthetic components pose some health threats as well as environmental concerns during disposal |
Price Breakdown
Flooring costs for laminate vs hardwood vary significantly. While laminate will cost you around $2-$8 per sq ft, hardwood flooring typically costs between $8 and $25 per sq ft. However, the higher cost for hardwood pays off not only with enhanced durability but also with increased resale value of your property.
See a table below for a more detailed laminate vs hardwood price breakdown:
Feature | Hardwood floor | Laminate floor |
Material cost (per sq ft) | $4-$15 | $1-$5 |
Installation cost (per sq ft) | $6-$12 | $1-$3 |
Total price (per sq ft) | $10-$25+ | $2-$8 |
Which Looks Better?
When comparing hardwood flooring vs laminate, visual appeal is one of the key factors to consider. Usually, you’ll be able to tell the difference between hardwood and laminate even without practical experience with flooring. In general, hardwood gives a more classic and natural feel. Still, quality laminate can repeat the patterns of real wood quite successfully.
Check out the table below for more insights:
Feature | Hardwood floor | Laminate floor |
Authenticity | Unmatched natural pattern with a unique wood grain | Replicated wood patterns; usually, lacks the depth and character of real hardwood |
Texture | Real wood texture | Feels more synthetic than wood |
Customization | Can be adjusted to your style with a variety of stains and finishes | A wider range of styles, colors, and finishes |
Which Lasts Longer?
Another key difference between laminate and hardwood is longevity. With proper maintenance, hardwood flooring can last for 50+ years. Laminate flooring, in its turn, can serve you for around 15-25 years. One of the reasons for this tremendous longevity gap is that laminate flooring cannot be refinished. Thus, once it gets damaged, there’s no other way except replacement.
To provide you with a more detailed review of laminate floors vs wood floors’ lifespan, read the table below:
Feature | Hardwood floor | Laminate floor |
Lifespan | 30-100+ years | 10-25 years |
Durability | Highly durable | High scratch resistance, water damage prone |
Refinishing | Can be repaired and refinished multiple times | Not possible |
Cleaning and Upkeep
Maintenance is another difference between hardwood and laminate floors. Overall, laminate floors are considered easier to clean and maintain. Though hardwood requires meticulous care, it still wins in terms of long-term upkeep since it can be repaired and refinished multiple times.
For more insights on laminate wood vs hardwood flooring maintenance, check out the table below:
Feature | Hardwood floor | Laminate floor |
Cleaning | Sweep or vacuum your flooring with a soft brush; occasionally mop your hardwood using a proper cleaner (it’s better to consult with a trusted flooring consultant before applying any cleaning products to your floors) | Sweep or vacuum flooring daily (even the smallest dust particles can cause damage); mop flooring at least once in a few days avoiding excessive water exposure |
Moisture sensitivity | Moderate moisture sensitivity; still, you need to avoid water damage and wipe any spills promptly | High moisture sensitivity; water penetration can cause immediate swelling or warping |
Protective care | Use carpets, furniture pads; consult with flooring experts whenever you think your flooring might need repair/refinishing | Use furniture pads and avoid moisture exposure |
Long-term maintenance | Repair and refinish when flooring shows signs of wear and tear | Replace damaged flooring |
Water and Heat Resistance
There’s only a slight difference between hardwood floors versus laminate floors in terms of moisture and heat resistance. Both flooring options show small resistance to external damage factors. Still, engineered hardwood floors are proven to be a bit more resistant to moisture damage compared to traditional hardwood.
Check out the table below to compare the moisture and heat resistance of a laminate floor vs hardwood floor:
Feature | Hardwood floor | Laminate floor |
Water resistance | Real wood absorbs moisture, making it poorly resistant to all kinds of water damage | While the very top layer of laminate flooring can resist minor spills, the joints and core of the laminate swell rapidly once exposed to standing water |
Heat resistance | Hardwood is sensitive to heat and sunlight. It can change its tint, fade, or dry out under the influence of sunlight | Laminate can resist moderate heat; however, direct sunlight exposure isn’t recommended, as it might affect the surface color |
Resale Value
Still wondering what is the difference between hardwood and laminate flooring? Resale value might be the turning point when comparing the two options. Hardwood flooring will increase your home value, as this type of flooring offers high durability and timeless elegance. Laminate is a popular budget-friendly substitute that can offer a modern look; however, it won’t increase the resale value of your property.
See the table below for a more detailed review of the resale value impact:
Feature | Hardwood floor | Laminate floor |
Impact on home value | Increases resale value of your home | Limited (won’t affect the resale value of your property) |
ROI (return on investment) | Up to 70-80% on resale investment | Usually, isn’t recouped during resale |
Installation
Another difference between laminate and wooden flooring is the installation process. Thanks to the click-lock systems, laminate installation is DIY-friendly. Hardwood, in its turn, typically requires professional help.
Below, the Floors Are Us experts collected a more detailed laminate flooring vs hardwood flooring installation breakdown:
Feature | Hardwood floor | Laminate floor |
Method | Nail/Glue to the subfloor | Click-and-lock/floating floor system |
Complexity | Only professional installation | DIY-friendly |
Installation time | Larger spaces can take up to a week | Faster, usually 1-2 days |
Which Is Better for the Environment?
When trying to decide which is better for the environment—laminate or wood, there’s no on-the-spot answer. Responsibly-sourced hardwood is a very eco-friendly flooring option. Though laminate is often made from recycled materials, laminate flooring also relies on synthetic components, which don’t align with the best sustainability practices. Besides, laminate has a shorter lifespan, requiring a faster replacement, which also makes this material less sustainable.
For more insights on real wood vs laminate sustainability, check the table below:
Feature | Hardwood floor | Laminate floor |
Material composition | Natural wood covered with a coating | Recycled wood particles at the core, synthetic layer, and coating |
Disposal | Biodegradable | Can be challenging to dispose |
Emissions | Low emissions | Emits Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) |
Sustainability | Highly sustainable if the wood is sourced from responsibly managed forest zones | Synthetic components pose some health threats as well as environmental concerns during disposal |
Best Floors for Each Room in Your Home
So, what is best for your home—wood or laminate floors? In fact, the answer depends on the specifics of your floor's use. Hardwood provides durability and elegance, yet it’s susceptible to water damage. Laminate offers top-notch scratch resistance and a wide array of budget-friendly options.
Check out a comparison of laminate floors vs hardwood floors by the room type:
Moisture-prone areas (kitchen, bathroom)
Laminate is a preferred option for zones prone to water damage. Waterproof laminate will make a superior choice for your kitchen or bathroom.
High-traffic zones (hallway, living space)
You can either choose hardwood or laminate for hallways and living rooms. While laminate makes a cost-effective choice, hardwood will prove its value in the long-term perspective. Make sure to consult on the best floor maintenance practices with your flooring contractor. For example, furniture pads, carpets, and a daily caring routine will help you prolong the lifespan of your flooring while also preserving its like-new look.
Areas for rest (lounge, bedroom)
Hardwood flooring will enhance your rest area with its timeless elegance and lasting beauty. However, laminate is still an option if your budget is limited.
Entryway area
While laminate is an optimal material choice due to its scratch resistance, you can also consider even more durable alternatives, like tile.
What Both Types of Wood Floors Have in Common
Now that you know how to tell the difference between hardwood and laminate, let’s take a look at the similarities between the two options. Both types of flooring are popular among homeowners, as either option offers a pleasant look and wood-like aesthetic. Besides, both hardwood and laminate are vulnerable to water damage.
Learn more about the similarities shared by laminate and hardwood floorings:
Wood-like look
Laminate mimics the look of natural wood, making it look similar to real hardwood. Though the difference gets obvious once you get closer, high-quality options can make a good substitute in terms of look.
Moisture susceptibility
Unfortunately, both laminate and hardwood are sensitive to water damage. Thus, you need to carefully check humidity levels and wipe spills immediately, whether you choose laminate or hardwood.
Underlayment
Laminate and hardwood both require underlayment to create a moisture barrier and reduce sound spread. Underlayment also serves as a slight cushioning, making walking more comfortable.
Important Things to Consider before Making Your Decision
Before making the final decision between laminate and hardwood, make sure you haven’t left anything out. Among the most important factors you should consider are the cost of hardwood vs laminate, durability and maintenance, and visual appeal.
Go through the points in the checklist below before making your final choice:
Budget
Overall, laminate flooring is a relatively more budget-friendly option. However, its lifespan is shorter, meaning laminate flooring may require replacement faster than hardwood. This way, regardless of being more expensive initially, natural wood proves to be more cost-efficient in the long run.
Durability
Laminate is resistant to scratches and dents, making it a perfect option for high-traffic areas. Its main disadvantage is the inability to be repaired. Hardwood is also highly durable; however, it requires a more diligent care routine and should be refinished once every couple of years.
Aesthetic feel
Though laminate can be good at repeating wood, stone, or tile patterns, it still lacks an authentic feel. Hardwood is a natural material that offers timeless elegance and a natural look that won’t fade.
Damage resistance
Both materials are sensitive to moisture damage. Though hardwood can show similar signs of moisture damage as laminate, e.g., warping, fading color, it can be repaired and refinished, making it a preferred option among homeowners.
Resale value
Hardwood increases property resale value, making it a feasible investment for the future. As a rule, laminate won’t impact the resale value of your home.
Getting Professional Floor Installation in Boston
If you’re still hesitating about which material is a better new flooring option in your specific case, don’t hesitate to contact a trusted hardwood flooring contractor, like Floors Are Us. Our experts will analyze your needs carefully and find the right flooring solution within your expected budget.