Laminate vs. Solid Hardwood Flooring: Which Is Better? (2023)

FAQs

Which floor is better hardwood or laminate? ›

Hardwood floors typically last much longer than laminate, though they do need occasional refinishing. It's also usually easier to repair a hardwood floor, often with some sanding and staining, whereas damaged laminate might need to be replaced altogether.

Hardwood is more expensive and requires a lot of maintenance, but it looks incredible since it's solid wood. Laminate flooring is synthetic, making it more affordable, and it's also more durable than hardwood. That said, hardwood is forever (if cared for properly) and laminate may need to be replaced in 25 to 30 years.

Hardwood floors can last much longer than laminate, which is typically limited to a lifespan of between 15 and 25 years. That said, hardwood flooring will usually show wear and tear more much quickly than laminate due to its susceptibility to scratches, dents, and discolorations.

Durable Hardwood Looks

Laminate flooring is a great choice if you want a high end hardwood look but need something more durable for pets and kids. Laminate is a much better choice against scratches and dents. It is also much more affordable than hardwood.

“Tile is the highest-rated flooring among the categories we test,” says Enrique de Paz, who leads flooring testing at Consumer Reports. “It doesn't wear out, scratch, or stain. Its color doesn't fade, it's waterproof, and it is surprisingly slip-resistant, even when wet.

Engineered flooring is somewhat closer in appearance to solid hardwood due to its real wood veneer. Laminate flooring, though all synthetic, is a close visual simulation of real wood. Additionally, it is far easier to install than engineered hardwood flooring, making it a good do-it-yourself floor covering choice.

Vinyl flooring clearly is a better choice in high-moisture environments than laminate flooring, making it an excellent choice in bathrooms.

On the plus side, laminate is easy to clean, scratch-resistant, and can be installed in places where natural wood can't go. And though it doesn't last as long as hardwood, it costs 50% less on average to buy and install.

Engineered wood flooring is a better choice in high-moisture environments than solid hardwood, making it a better option for kitchens, bathrooms and basements. But, for whole-house installations, both flooring options offer a wide range of style choices.

Can I mop laminate flooring? ›

Do (carefully) mop your laminate floor every two months. To keep your laminate floors fresh, mop them every two months. Damp mops (a.k.a. microfiber mops) are gentle enough to use on laminate floors. If you're going to use a regular mop, just wring it out until it's almost completely dry.

Because the inner core of the material is made with wood or fiberboard that is susceptible to moisture damage, installations in any room with a floor drain or sump pump should be avoided. This also applies to bathrooms and laundry rooms; however, kitchen installation is more feasible.

Laminate flooring lasts between 15 to 25 years on average. The exact lifespan will vary depending on the product quality of your floor, how well you maintain and care for it and the overall wear-and-tear it receives. In some cases, laminate floors can last over 25 years.

Hardwood comes with a higher price tag, but they are easier to repair and last longer than laminate. Laminate flooring pros and cons include that it doesn't fade or scratch as easily as hardwood, but repairs may involve redoing the whole floor.

The short answer is no. None of the laminate flooring manufacturers recommend using a steam mop on laminate surfaces. The moisture released from the steam mop can loosen the layers of the laminate, making it tougher to use and potentially damaging your floor.

The short answer is that there isn't any laminate flooring on the market that's totally scratch proof. It's just a fact that any flooring material, from natural wood to engineered timber or hybrid flooring, can be damaged. However, there are a few factors that will determine how resistant your laminate is to damage.

Finally, Vinyl and wood floors are seemingly the front runners for 2022 flooring top trends but, that doesn't mean carpet flooring won't make an appearance. Area rugs, carpet tiles, and frieze carpets are sure to be among the most popular styles this year.

Laminate flooring generally is less expensive than engineered hardwood.

Engineered hardwood floors do not need to be refinished and maintained the way authentic hardwood does over time. At the same time, they offer the same look as authentic hardwood, increasing the value of your home at a fraction of the cost.

What is the cost difference between engineered hardwood and laminate? ›

For engineered hardwoods you should budget to spend about $6 – $10/square foot or you can find some cheaper options under $5/square foot, excluding installation costs. If that is a little too high for your budget then laminates can be found for $2 – $3/square foot excluding installation.

Solid hardwood flooring is considered the safest and least toxic option as it's completely natural and free from any toxins. Solid hardwood floors are made of planks milled from a single piece of timber, which makes it a healthy flooring option.

Laminate flooring trends have maintained their status as the staple go-to wood flooring alternative for residential use. Tremendous advancements are being made in flooring technology, allowing the best laminate flooring to resemble solid hardwood more closely than ever before.

You may have already guessed it, but the floor with the highest resale value is hardwood. Since hardwood is always in demand, it is an easy choice to up level your home.

Whether laminate will increase or decrease a home's value will also depend on what flooring was there before. If the laminate replaces old, worn carpet or sheet vinyl, you could see a value boost.

Yes, they can. If your current floors are old and falling apart, then almost any flooring is going to increase its value. However, in general, laminate floorings are not going to give you as high an ROI as hardwoods. That doesn't mean that laminate floors aren't worth it.

Hard surface flooring will give you the best return on investment, or ROI. Hardwood will be your best bet with the highest ROI since it's the long-standing preferred flooring choice. If you currently have hardwood floors, consider refinishing them if they need a little pick me up.

Vinyl flooring is easy to maintain and requires no special care or maintenance. This is another floor covering that would enable you to trash the vacuum, as regular sweeping will be enough to keep your vinyl flooring looking just like new.

Luxury vinyl is also highly durable and affordable, making it one of the best wood-look alternatives on the market. LVP floors come in a variety of colors, with expansive selections ranging from light to dark.

Porcelain and ceramic are some of the longest lasting flooring materials available, and they require little maintenance. Tile flooring is also moisture resistant, making it the perfect choice for areas where spills are common like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.

Which floor is easiest to maintain? ›

Vinyl flooring is probably the easiest to clean out of all the options listed here and also one of the easiest to maintain. Also known as Cushion Floor, vinyl flooring is available at a good price and can take plenty of wear over the years, which is why many will come with a 15 year warrantee.

Replacing your flooring in the winter may be tempting. However, winter is one of the worst times of year to install hardwood floors. No matter which part of the United States you call home, winter is the driest time of year. The air naturally has less moisture during the winter than in other seasons.

Hardwood floors were the norm in most homes before WWII. The design of the home didn't matter—Victorian, Colonial, Cape Cod, Tudor, Craftsman, and even early Ranches—they all featured wood floors throughout. Then starting in the 1950s, homeowners started to favor wall-to-wall carpet instead.

In fact the early mid mod period (late 40's – early 50's) is about the last time that hardwood floors were common in builder grade houses.

It's OK to sweep or vacuum your laminate floor as long as you don't vacuum with a beater brush.

Yes, it is safe to clean most laminate floors with a solution of vinegar and water, which is yet another reason to love vinegar! Mix 1 cup household vinegar with 1 gallon warm water. Use a slightly damp mop. Do not overwet the floor — water is laminate floors' enemy, as it can cause water spots or even warping.

Streaks. One of the biggest complaints about laminate floors is that the floors are streaky even after mopping. To remedy this, try a different cleaner or use less cleaner. Remember, water and a tiny bit of glass cleaner is more than enough to get the floors clean.

Laminate flooring will snap and pop as you walk on it if it's bridging across hollow spots under the flooring. Your weight stresses the interlocking tongues and grooves in the flooring, causing the noise. It's nearly impossible to stop this noise after a laminate floor is installed.

Good-quality laminate floorboards should lock together seamlessly and create a flat surface – if the edges seem rough or uneven it may cause installation issues, so look for a precision-machined edge.

Can a toilet sit on laminate flooring? ›

Start With The Flooring

Because laminate flooring floats above the sub-floor on top of underlayment, it will expand and contract slightly with the temperature and humidity of the room. This makes it impossible for any caulking around the base of the sink and toilet to hold.

Hardwood floors typically last much longer than laminate, though they do need occasional refinishing. It's also usually easier to repair a hardwood floor, often with some sanding and staining, whereas damaged laminate might need to be replaced altogether.

Laminate flooring will have a repeating pattern. It may not be obvious right away, but that's only because you're not looking for it. If you stare long enough, you will likely find boards with the same wood grain. Hardwood flooring is made from solid wood, so every board will be different.

Porcelain and ceramic are some of the longest lasting flooring materials available, and they require little maintenance. Tile flooring is also moisture resistant, making it the perfect choice for areas where spills are common like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.

Tile. Tile is the most obvious choice for kitchens and bathrooms, as it is naturally waterproof and fairly indestructible. Some tile trends include realistic stone or wood looks. New homes tend to include timeless looks like marble, limestone, or slate.

Without a doubt, the number one flooring trend of 2022 is natural and raw-looking flooring. 2022 will see a rise in neutral colors and patterns moving back toward more raw and natural-looking materials. Natural-looking floors create the perfect backdrop for any room and help balance your space.

There is absolutely no need to change flooring from room to room. We often work with homeowners who feel the urge to pick a different flooring for every room of their home, but there is absolutely no need to do this. Your home will look best if you create one consistent look that travels from room to room.

Many home experts agree that the floor color should be darker than the walls. The rule generally applies because lighter walls and a dark floor make the room seem larger. Most homeowners prefer a spacious looking interior.

Hardwood floors work with almost any style — year in, year out. Given that flooring is the biggest expanse of product you'll see in your new space, designer Christina Fluegge of Greige Design recommends going with a high-quality hardwood that allows you to refinish as time goes by rather than having to replace.

What type of flooring do rich people have? ›

Natural Stone Flooring

A natural stone floor is one of the most opulent high-end flooring because of its naturally shiny appearance. Marble is a popular choice for people who want to bring that palace feel to their foyer. It is a premium feature of many high-class homes and brings a bit of whimsy to a space.

If you are looking for whatever is most popular and least likely to become outdated, then going with more natural is always a safe bet. For 2022, the choice is definitely something in the greige family.

Color and cool tones also make the list of flooring trends in 2022. Green, blue, dark brown, ashy white, and gray add to an airy feel in the home and leave so much to the imagination because of the options in flooring colors. Gray is the most popular when it comes to flooring colors.