Hardwood or Laminate:  Are you confused?

Trying to understand the differences between hardwood and laminate flooring can be very confusing.  Simply Floored would like to help you decide which product is best for you and, more importantly, your home.

First, you need to understand the different types of hardwood available.  Solid hardwood floors have been around for a long time.  They are generally ¾" thick and can be purchased raw or pre-finished.  Because each plank is made from a single piece of wood, it tends to be very expensive.  In addition, solid wood floors expand and contract with changes in temperature.  In summer, humidity causes hardwood to expand, causing the planks to buckle.  In winter, as the moisture decreases, the floor planks contract, leaving gaps.  The high levels of moisture are the primary reason that solid wood floors are not recommended in basements or over concrete.

The "other" type of hardwood, which is becoming more and more popular, is multi-layer, cross grain constructed hardwood.  This product is sometimes referred to as "engineered" hardwood, a misleading name because it implies that the wood is not real.  Some people even mistake engineered hardwood for laminate. 

Engineered hardwood is 100% real wood.  It is constructed by taking multiple layers of hardwood (5 or more layers on better quality products) and fusing them together at 90⁰ angles to create a stronger, more stable hardwood.  The top layer is made from the species that defines its look (such as oak or an exotic cherry).  The interior layers are made from lesser expensive, but generally very hard, species of hardwood to increase the strength of the flooring (which is why engineered hardwood is more affordable than solid hardwood). 

Multi-layer, cross grain constructed hardwood is gaining popularity because it is significantly more stable than solid hardwood, which means your floor will be much less likely to warp or buckle.  That's because, with each layer fused at 90⁰ angles, the wood is less likely to expand and contract with changes in temperature.  The increased stability means that engineered hardwood can be used for floors that are below grade or on concrete, something you wouldn't do with solid wood.

One of the "myths" about engineered hardwood is that, because it's made from layers of hardwood, it can't be refinished.  That's simply not true.  You CAN refinish engineered hardwood up to 3 times. 

Laminate is an attractive substitute for hardwood flooring, offering the look (and in some cases the feel) of hardwood floors at more affordable prices.

Laminate flooring is created by taking a photograph and attaching it to a high density fiberboard using heat and pressure.  Higher quality laminates use high definition imaging to create unbelievably realistic looking laminate. 

The photograph is covered with a layer of polyurethane, which protects the floor from fading, scratching and wear.  Higher quality laminates use a form of urethane infused with aluminum oxide, the second hardest substance known to man, which substantially increases the resistance to scratching.

Better laminates are "textured" to create a more realistic look and feel.  The texture is added to the wear layer through a process called "embossing", which involves pressing patterns into the surface.  The best quality laminates use a process called "embossing in register", where the textured pattern actually follows the grain in the image, creating an even more realistic look and feel.

Laminate floors are extremely durable, with greater resistance to scratching and scuffing than most hardwood floors.  It is even more stable than engineered hardwood, so you can use it virtually anywhere in your home, including bathrooms and kitchens where water and moisture can be an issue.  Laminate is incredibly easy to maintain and never needs refinishing (which is good considering that laminate can't be refinished).  And, most importantly, laminate is much more affordable than hardwood, particularly if you are interested in a more exotic or rustic style of flooring.

So which type of floor is right for you? 

To make an educated decision, you need to answer some questions.

Does the value of your home warrant the investment required for hardwood? 

If the value of your home is around $100,000 or less, investing in hardwood flooring may not make sense.  While hardwood floors generally add value to a home, it won't make a difference if homes in your neighborhood don't sell for more than $100,000.  Under such circumstances, you can achieve the look of hardwood, with more durability, easier maintenance and less cost, by selecting laminate.

On the other hand, if your home is worth more than $100,000 and prices in your neighborhood are rising, hardwood is one of the best investments you can make.

How long do you plan on living in your home?  If you are planning on staying in your home for the next 7-10 years and you don't want to have to replace your floors again when you move, an investment in hardwood makes sense.  A better quality hardwood floor will last for many years, and you can always refinish the floor if you want to change the look. 

Are you thinking of selling your home in the near future?

If you are thinking of selling, you will definitely want to consider hardwood.  Any real estate professional will tell you that homes with hardwood floors sell faster and for more money.  While laminate flooring can certainly add warmth and charm to your home, it is not likely to increase your home's value (because laminate is not considered a "permanent" floor, so buyers do not assign value to the floor). 

Have you established a budget?  Hardwood is a great investment and one of the most elegant styles of flooring...but good quality hardwood flooring, installed professionally, is not inexpensive.  If you have budgeted $7 per square foot or less for this project, you should go with laminate.  The good news is that there are some higher quality laminates that look and feel like wood, but with greater durability and easier maintenance. 

You can find engineered hardwood at prices of $7 per square foot or less.  But watch out, because you get what you pay for. 

Lower priced, lesser quality engineered hardwood is characterized by:

• Fewer layers of hardwood in each plank
• 3 layers versus 5 layers found in premium engineered hardwood
• With only 3 layers, the plank is substantially less stable, meaning it is more likely to warp or buckle.
• Softer hardwood, from Central and South America, rather than the stronger, but more costly hardwood from North America.
• Finishes that use fewer layers and standard urethane, resulting in floors that will scratch and aren't as easy to clean.
• Planks milled to lower tolerances, resulting in floors that don't fit together cleanly, leaving gaps between planks and uneven heights.
• Installers that are not insured or background checked and are not trained to install the hardwood consistent with manufacturer specifications, which voids the warranty.

To get a better quality hardwood, professionally installed, that will last and look as good twenty years after it's installed as it does when you first buy it, you are going to invest anywhere from $8 per square foot to as much as $20 per square foot, depending on the style of hardwood selected.

Remember, you can purchase good quality hardwood or laminate, or poor quality.  You can get a professional installation, according to the manufacturer's specifications (which protects the warranty), or you can use uninsured day laborers with little or no experience with the product you selected.  A good quality laminate can cost as much (and perform better) than a lower quality hardwood.  Just make sure you know what you are getting, because you always get what you pay for.

How will the room be used?  What type of traffic will it endure? 

With high quality, pre-finished hardwood floors, durability and maintenance don't have to be an issue.  Some premium hardwoods are pre-finished with urethane infused with aluminum oxide, the second hardest substance known to man. 

Better quality laminate floors offer incredible durability and easy maintenance at an even lower cost.  And with advanced engineering, you can achieve the look and feel of hardwood.