laminate better then hardwood?

Jack Hass

I have put laminate flooring in most rooms of my house. I picked a higher end product and pay $3.77 a square foot. I started replacing my builder grade carpet with the laminate, because at the time it appeared the most cost effective. It was something I could install myself.

Over the years I have become handier with tools. I am kicking myself for not installing hardwood floors. I can get ¾ inch hardwood floor boards for less then $1 more a sq ft (then laminate). Most people who come into my house, don’t know my floor is not hardwood, but I do.

It seems to me that laminate is trying to imitate hardwood so why not go with hardwood.

In what aspect is laminate better then hardwood?

Darylh

Laminate flooring " Floats" has a little give to it when you walk on it and is a tad warmer because of the foam under it, and of course solid hardwood has no give. A lot of people like the Laminate for that reason.

majakdragon

Laminate is "just that". A cheaper wood or composite product, with a thin layer of the wood color/grain that you desire. Problem comes when it gets damaged or worn. You can sand down and resurface genuine hardwood floors.

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Jack Hass

That is what I am saying. It seems like a bad move to buy high end $3.77 a foot laminate when for just a few cents more a foot you can get hardwood.

Darylh

Your right Jack, Hardwood is the better choice for $$$ but you cant always find hardwood priced close to the laminate.. Other things to concider is the laminate is about 1/4" thinner after instalation and that is a lot when it comes to Tansition joints and of course hardwood is more exspensive to install. I have always liked hardwood because its easier to repair and can be sanded and refinished alot more times than Laminate.

R&D Tile

Nothing beats the real thing.

Love that name by the way.

sjrhome

I personally prefer laminate to hardwood. Ive lived with and installed both. In my situation, my laminate floors stand up to much more of a beating. Consider that laminate flooring is similar to a formica countertop. It is ALMOST impossible to scratch or dent. In my 1st house I installed 3/4 oak flooring throughout. After a year of heavy use it was scrathed, worn away, and dinged up. My lam floors have held up great. They are also quieter and softer. I found that if you choose a wide plank which is milled to look like one plank and not 3 small planks in one, it looks more real. To each his own I guess, but I would do what is right for the situation and not worry about what people think when the come into my home.