Choosing the right flooring material for your home may seem like a puzzling decision. This will make it simple.

Let’s start with the good news.

With today’s technology, home flooring choices and styles are all over the place. From tile that looks like real wood, all the way to glue-down vinyl options. Such a wide range of choice is truly fantastic because it covers all budgets, preferences, and lifestyles. However, it’s quite a lot to choose from, and this can make the shopping process a bit lengthy.

In this article, we are going to be cutting that time in half for you by explaining and comparing the differences between two of today’s top flooring choices. Keep reading to learn the differences between laminate and hardwood flooring, and why one might be a better choice over the other depending on your lifestyle and budget.  

Start your next flooring project today with our special financing options. Click to Apply Now!

Let’s dive into the part you probably came here for first, COST.

With all of the different flooring options, prices have the ability to vary by extremes. When it comes to real hardwood or laminate flooring, though real hardwood is enticing, laminate tends to be much more cost friendly to a budget.

Let me explain…

• Hardwood

Hardwood is absolutely a hot commodity to bring into your home. Hardwood floors add genuine style and character to any room and can be fairly easy to care for depending on your lifestyle.

But don’t be fooled… Laminate can do the same thing at half the cost for material AND installation as well. Another thing to consider is that real wood flooring cost will vary depending on the type of tree they came from, affecting the costs even further.

• Laminate

Laminate is becoming more and more popular every year, and for a good reason. It is much more cost efficient than real hardwood flooring, and the costs for installation is much cheaper as well.

Laminate flooring can provide a similar luxurious feel and appearance to real hardwood but at a fraction of the cost. Laminate flooring is also a lot more eco-friendly than Hardwood.

What about durability and care?

Laminate- Caring for laminate flooring is pretty easy if you just stick to some simple guidelines.

• Clean with a damp cloth. Avoid using steam products as they could cause irreparable damage.
• Sweep and vacuum regularly as you normally would.
• Avoid mopping or soak-cleaning laminate flooring.
• Clean floors periodically with laminate-safe products only.

Laminate durability- Laminate is a pressed material, which makes it easier to clean, as well as much more scratch and damage resistant than real hardwood planks. The average life expectancy for laminate wood flooring is typically anywhere from 10-15 years with proper care.

Real hardwood- caring for real hardwood floors are slightly different, but not by too much.

• Sweep and vacuum like normal.
• Again, avoid steam cleaning as it could damage your flooring.
• Avoid standing water or spills sitting on your hardwood floors.
• When using cleaning chemicals, be sure they are hardwood floor safe and use moderate amounts at a time.
• Use microfiber pad or string mops for those special cleaning days, when your floors need a little something extra.

Real hardwood durability- genuine hardwood floors vary in durability depending on what species of tree they were derived from.

Because they are real wood planks with a thin, smooth finish varnished over them, they are more prone to being easily scratched and damaged. However, hardwood flooring, if cared for properly can last years and years. Real hardwood also has the ability to be refinished.

Another great thing about hardwood flooring is that if it is within your budget to install, depending on the tree species, it can add immense value to your home.

When it comes down to it, it’s all about budget, visual appeal, and satisfaction

So it’s time to make your decision huh?

Just keep in mind your budget, which option visually works best for you, and which durability choice best fits your lifestyle, giving you the most satisfaction for your money.

With all of this information in mind, you just can’t go wrong with either! For more assistance in your flooring choice visit the 99cent Floor Store of Spring Tx, and get started today!