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Laminate Flooring Or Wood Flooring Article
Laminate Flooring Or Wood Flooring?
from:You are considering adding a wood floor to your home but you are not sure what product is the best fit for your space. Do you want a laminate flooring product, which looks like wood and is less expensive, or do you want to go with the true, authentic quality of wood? The question is a big one since it will be a lasting consideration for most people. There are good and bad things about each of these products. Take into consideration all of these options.
Benefits of Laminate
There are many benefits to the use of laminate flooring. Consider these:
Laminate is far less expensive than true hardwood products. While they contain little to no real wood in them, they are still far less expensive.
Laminate is durable and in most cases is easier to actually maintain. With hardwood floors, you may have to sand and stain them over time.
Hardwoods are less commonly water proof while some laminates are. That means they can be used in bathrooms and in kitchens without the fear of actually ruining them. (Do make sure the product you purchase is specifically designed to be water proofed.)
Benefits of Hardwood
On the other hand, you may want to consider wood or hardwood flooring. There are benefits to this product as well:
Hardwood is true wood. While laminate may look fairly well like wood, it can never actually take the place of real wood floors. Some people would never go for anything else.
Hardwood offers more texture and character to the space.
Hardwood is also eco friendly. Some products, like bamboo are a great investment because they are more affordable and they are safe to use as eco friendly products.
Hardwood may last longer. Some of the oldest hardwood floors in homes are several hundred years old. They need to be maintained and the right wood should always be selected.
When you just cannot choose between hardwood flooring and laminate flooring, head out and look at the products. Request a sample of them. Feel them and find out more about your options in brands. The good news is that both products are readily available in easy to put in place methods. This includes methods that allow you to avoid the nailing and gluing. The tongue and grove methods are available through both products.
Laminate flooring is the more economically choice while hardwood flooring really delivers on the quality aspect of the flooring. Keep in mind that you will need to purchase high quality products no matter which option you end up selecting. The good news is that there are many wood, coloring and style choices to choose from across the board here.