Natural Vs. Engineered Wood Flooring: Which Is Best?
Hardwood flooring is an excellent choice for a home, but there are quite a few options to pick from. If you're undecided between natural hardwood or laminate flooring, you'll definitely want to know more about these options so you can make an informed decision.
The Look
One of the most defining features of these two flooring materials is how they look. Hardwood flooring is known for its timeless beauty that can make a room feel elegant. Walnut, maple, and oak wood are popular choices that can bring warmth to a room in a way that cannot be replicated with other types of flooring materials with complete accuracy.
Laminate flooring material is designed to replicate the look of natural hardwood. The majority of the floorboard is made out of particleboard, with a printed layer on top that is designed to look like real wood. While it may lack all of the small nuances that make natural wood look great, it can easily look like the real deal under normal circumstances.
The Longevity
While natural hardwood and laminate materials are quite durable, natural hardwood will outlast laminate material for many years. This is due to how natural hardwood is made out of solid wood throughout the entire board. You can sand down natural hardwood multiple times in order to refinish the surface and keep it in good condition.
Laminate flooring is quite durable, but it cannot be sanded like natural hardwood. This means that the only way to fix damaged laminate flooring material is to replace it with new floorboards. If you don't have extra floorboards laying around your home, then finding an exact match may not be possible.
The Maintenance
Hardwood flooring can be quite difficult to maintain over the years. You'll need to regularly sweep and mop the floor to remove the dirt from the surface, which can actually scratch the floor if you are not careful. If water spills onto the floor you'll need to clean it up quickly to avoid causing damage to the wood.
Laminate flooring is much easier to maintain since the protective top layer will resist scratches and stains much better. You can clean the floor with a damp mop and sweep or vacuum the floor when needed. However, laminate flooring can still be damaged by water. You don't want water to seep between the floorboards and get into the particle board base, which can cause the flooring to warp as a result.
For more information, reach out to a local service, such as Carpet Kingdom.
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