Is Real Wood Flooring Better Than Laminate

Photo by mary cook.

Is real wood flooring better than laminate.

Prices for real wood floors can range from 15 70 per square metre. However the benefits of choosing real wood do outweigh the initial cost but more on this in a second. Engineered wood contains a slice of natural wood on top while laminate uses a photographic layer that is coated with a protective layer. For example brazilian cherry ranks a 2820 on the janka hardness scale making it better at resisting moisture than its domestic counterpart american cherry which scores a 950.

The image of hardwood is then placed over the composite wood covering it to form the laminate. Looks like real wood. Here are some of the benefits of installing laminate wood flooring. Laminate is also much thinner than engineered wood averaging around 12mm whereas engineered wood tends to be thicker like hardwoods.

Best for resale value. Pros of wood look tile. According to real estate experts the average roi for installing hardwood floors is about 70 to 80 and wood floors can boost the sales price of your home as much as 2 5. Some species can tolerate moisture better than others.

Both laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are usually less expensive than natural hardwood engineered wood and many types of ceramic or porcelain tile. There are varying levels of cost the cheaper laminate looks a little less like wood and more like cheaper flooring. Laminate flooring and luxury vinyl flooring are roughly comparable in price although sheet vinyl does hold a slight edge. But top quality laminates now have a richer deeper embossing of simulated wood grain textures giving the flooring a much more realistic feel.

Laminate flooring rarely adds real estate value to a home although it is certainly better than a shabby carpet or vinyl floor. The biggest advantage of real wood is its capacity for repair. Solid hardwood hardwood floors will always impress real estate professionals and potential buyers provided the floor is well cared for. In most cases tile is significantly cheaper than a.

Higher quality laminate flooring looks more like real wood and probably costs a bit more than its imitation relatives. Not only are the materials themselves cheaper but laminate wood installation cost is on average 50 percent less than hardwood installation. Pros laminate wood flooring is made from composite wood pressed together at high temperatures. Laminate flooring while it has become better at mimicking wood and other materials will always come up short as a replica of wood.