Solid Wood Versus Laminate Flooring - Which Is Right For You?

Solid wood and wood-like floors are more popular now than ever

. Many people are choosing solid surface floors, such as wood, over traditional carpet floors. Many factors have contributed to this shift, such as the allergens carpet has been known to harbor. Carpet is also susceptible to stains and must be professionally shampooed periodically. Many people are opting for wood over carpet simply because they prefer the look of wood.

With so many options on the market today, there are a few factors to consider before deciding if solid wood or laminate flooring is right for you.

Durability And Maintenance

There is nothing quite like a sturdy, solid wood floor. If properly treated and maintained, solid wood floors can last 25 years or more. While all hard wood floors can be scratched, solid wood surface scratches are easily repaired by sanding and refinishing. Refinishing should be done periodically throughout the lifetime of the flooring to protect it. Solid wood floors are susceptible to staining if not properly sealed. Areas with direct sunlight may experience discoloration.

Laminate is not a wood product at all. It is engineered to look like wood. Laminate is extremely resistant to scratching, staining, and fading. It does not require special polish or wax or refinishing, and typically lasts less than 20 years. Although resistant to damage, scratches, dents and chips may occur from large dogs, dragging heavy furniture across the floor, or dropping something on it. Laminate planks are difficult to repair or replace if damage does occur.

Installation

Solid wood requires a wood subfloor for installation. The planks may be straight or cut with a tongue and groove pattern to interlock them together. Either way, a high-pressure nail gun is required to nail the planks into the wood subfloor at an angle.

A very important factor to consider when installing solid wood is that it is affected by moisture. Even when sealed, the planks will contract and expand slightly. If not properly installed to accommodate for expansion, the floor can become warped and uneven.

Laminate floors can be installed over any type of subfloor in one of three methods: by using a special glue to adhere the planks to the subfloor, by "floating" the planks over the subfloor using a tongue and groove interlocking system, or by using a factory pre-glued plank to adhere to the subfloor. The ease of installing laminate flooring makes it an ideal do-it-yourself project.

Cost

Solid wood floors can cost anywhere from $3-$12 per square foot uninstalled. More exotic woods can cost upwards of $20/SF. Laminate floors can be significantly less expensive than solid wood, costing anywhere from $1-$4 per square foot uninstalled.

Both solid wood and laminate have their pros and cons when it comes to durability, maintenance, installation and cost. Deciding which is right for you depends on your budget and personal needs.

by: Chris Harmen

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