If you’ve decided that new flooring is in order and that you would like a smooth, wooden floor, choosing between laminate and hardwood can be diffcult. Here are some advantages and disadvantages for both types that may help you make your decision.
One of the more common forms of flooring in today’s market is laminate. This type of flooring is easy to install and doesn’t require a lot of time and effort due to its ‘click-lock’ design. It is also highly durable as it is difficult to scratch or dent and it is resistant to staining. This type of flooring can be used anywhere in the house from hallways, kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms. It is able to cope with moisture, either from bathroom steam or mopping, but it will not tolerate standing pools of water. If this is likely to be a problem then vinyl or tile flooring maybe more suitable. Laminate doesn’t need waxing, to clean you simply vacuum or brush any dirt away and wash with a slightly damp mop.
Laminate does have it's drawbacks, however, and one of the big ones is that it cannot be repaired or polished if it becomes scratched, dented or dull in colour. If any of these happen then it means that that section of the floor needs replacing if you can’t live with it not being perfect. Other disadvantages are that it is hard underfoot, it can be slippery (although there have been recent innovations to help with this) and it won’t add much value to your house if you want to sell it – hardwood or engineered wood offers better resale value.
Hardwood / real wood floors are the other main option that people consider. Although this type of flooring can be highly expensive to buy and install, if it is correctly cared for it will easily last for decades. If that wasn’t enough, it is easy to clean and care for on a daily basis and is resistant to staining. If it gets damaged then it can be sanded down and refinished to look as good as new without the need for replacement. Although you wouldn’t want to pull up your wooden floors if/when you want a new look to a room, you can easily just add new rugs and that will provide an instant lift.
What isn’t so wonderful with hardwood flooring is that it can be extremely cold, especially if your house is draughty. It can also need frequent cleaning as it will show the dirt more easily. For those who have pets, this may not be the best flooring that you could choose as it is highly slippery for animals as their padded feet won’t be able to grip the smooth surface
If you’re going to be getting a new floor then why not get in contact with Benems Carpet and Flooring Centre and see the range of flooring options they have on offer.
