Laminate Flooring vs. Hardwood Flooring: The Great Debate

Laminate Flooring vs. Hardwood Flooring: The Great Debate Warmth, natural beauty and timeless appeal have made hardwood flooring one of the most sought-after amenities for homes across the country. Laminate flooring, which is crafted using a High Density Fiber (HDF) with a top layer that offers a similar look, gives consumers an alternative to solid wood. If you’re trying to figure out whether hardwood or laminate is right for your home, consider the pros and cons of each and how they relate to your lifestyle and your budget.   Price When choosing between hardwood and laminate flooring, consider both the price and the quality of the investment. Laminate is popular for its affordability, and it can cost a few dollars per square foot all the way up to 50% less than hardwood when you include installation. Premium laminate products can have moderate resale value, while well-maintained hardwood floors can increase the resale value of your home exponentially.   Installation With locking, glue-down or floating installation options, laminate floors are usually easy to install (or uninstall if you’re replacing your floor). Some solid hardwood floors require nail-down installation, which can be time-consuming and make future removal more difficult. However, with current technology, many popular hardwood options are now available in engineered forms that require installation similar to that of laminate.   Maintenance Laminate and hardwood floors are both relatively easy to clean, but they differ in maintenance requirements. Most laminates are more resistant to moisture, fading and scratches, so they can be a better choice for kitchens or bathrooms where a lot of water is used, spaces that receive a lot of sunlight, or areas that face high levels of foot traffic. Then again, if damaged, laminate floors might not be easy to repair, while you can fix imperfections in hardwood floors by sanding or refinishing.   Durability You can keep hardwood and laminate floors looking beautiful for years, but the difference between them becomes more pronounced as time goes on. With proper care, the life expectancy for most laminate flooring is about 20 years. Well-kept hardwood flooring can last a lifetime and add classic appeal to any home for generations. Once you’ve made your decision, come to Flooring America for an unmatched selection of top-quality hardwood or laminate. Our prices are the lowest in the market, and our industry-leading warranties will give you total confidence in your new floor.   Visit Northwest Trends Flooring America's Showroom located in the Spokane Valley between Pines & Argonne on Montgomery, Just down the road from Pro Build. Northwest Trends  11315 E. Montgomery Dr. Spokane Valley, WA 99206. We have an amazing selection of hardwood floors and you will be sure to find the one you love. Visit our website http://www.nwtrendsspokanefa.com/ CARPET│BLINDS│HARDWOOD│VINYL/RESILIENT FLOORS│LAMINATE│BAMBOO│CORK│AREA RUGS│GRANITE COUNTERTOPS│QUARTZ│SOLID SURFACE│MARBLE│TILE & STONE│GLASS TILE BACKSPLASH│FABRICS│WALL COVERINGS│INTERIOR DESIGN│PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION│COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL       NORTHWEST TRENDS • 11315 E. MONTGOMERY DR. • SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99206 • Ph.: 509.921.9677 • Fax: 509.921.9857 WWW.NWTSPOKANE.COM OR FIND US ON FACEBOOK NORTHWESTTRENDSOFSPOKANE