Except for kitchens, bathrooms, and other damp areas, hardwood flooring is a classic material generally regarded as a premium flooring for almost any room in the house.
Hardwood flooring is better for appearance, lifespan and resale value. Laminate flooring is better for cost, ease of installation and comfort.
When mopping hardwood floors, make sure to wring most of the water out of the mop so it's damp and not sopping wet. Rinse the mop when necessary. Avoid leaving any standing water on the floor, which can damage the wood. This is especially true for prefinished hardwood floors.
Higher wear ratings of laminate (or AC ratings) come at a high price point. With proper care and attention to good cleaning practices, hardwood will last a lifetime. Repairing hardwood is possible through refinishing. Once laminate floors are damaged, they require replacement.
What costs more: hardwood or laminate? Hardwood flooring almost always costs more to install than laminate. But depending on how long you live in your home, you might save money in the long run because hardwoods have a much longer lifespan.
Vinyl flooring is less expensive than hardwood, easier to clean and more resistant to staining, warping, and discoloration. Because it is a synthetic product, it is available in a wider variety of finishes and styles.
The average cost of wood flooring is $11.50 per square foot and ranges between $8 and $15 per square foot. In comparison, the average cost of laminate flooring is $7 per square foot and ranges from $3 to $11 per square foot, depending on thickness and AC rating.
Every year, countless homeowners have wood flooring installed—and not just because it looks great. Some studies show wood floors can increase your home's value by three to five percent.
When you analyze and compare all living conditions in today's world, carpet actually makes a healthier home or facility. You don't have the dust load in the air as you do with hard floors – all things being equal, of course, and cleaned accordingly. Dust mites and pet dander are often blamed for allergic reactions.
Healthier flooring options include solid wood, natural linoleum, cork, bamboo, tile and stone. A key feature of all of these is that they are easily cleaned of dust and dirt.
With regular wear and tear, the finish on your hardwood floor should last about 7-10 years. Floors in high-traffic areas or that are exposed to a lot of sunlight may need to be refinished more often. So if we do some quick math, your hardwood floors will last up to 60 years with being refinished every ten years!
Hardwood flooring is tough and durable, especially certain species. Most homeowners only purchase wood flooring once for their home because hardwood flooring is so durable. Many home's wood floors last so long because they can be refinished, unlike carpet or laminate.
Within 48 hours (the longer you can allow your floors to cure the better) you can "PLACE" or "SET" furniture back into the rooms. Never slide or scoot furniture across your hardwood floors.
Wood floors are one of the best investments you can make. They're durable, versatile, and most buyers love them. According to real estate experts, the average ROI for installing hardwood floors is about 70% to 80%, and wood floors can boost the sales price of your home as much as 2.5%.
For a short time after installation, vinyl flooring emits what is known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are gasses that can have a long-term impact on your health and are also dangerous for the environment. They can be especially hazardous to those with respiratory problems.
At a minimum, LVP flooring offers water resistance. However, many LVP floors go a step further and deliver 100% waterproofing. So, if you're terribly concerned about water damage, LVP may be the better option. Engineered hardwood flooring offers better moisture resistance than solid hardwood flooring.
Oak. Oak is by far the most popular type of wood flooring because it provides a good balance of durability, color range and reasonable costs. It comes in both red and white oak variations and can be used in high-traffic areas as the wood grain hides scratches well.
Laminate flooring is considered more hygienic and hypoallergenic than carpet, as it is easily cleaned, and dirt won't go unnoticed. Carpet tends to retain dust and pollen, stain more easily, and build up mold and mildew when exposed to moisture, making it a less desirable option for those who struggle with allergies.
Available in sheets, tiles, or luxury vinyl planks, vinyl flooring is the easiest kitchen flooring material to install. If your subfloor is in good shape, vinyl is also the cheapest because you can usually install it right over the subfloor (or suitable existing flooring), avoiding the expense of new underlayment.
Installing laminate flooring over hardwood can mimic the look and feel of hardwood and can sometimes be less expensive than repairing and refinishing the original floor.
Don't install your laminate on any floor with a drain. Don't install laminate on any uneven subfloor or outdoors. Don't install your laminate over residential carpet. Don't install a second layer of laminate underlayment.
Not moisture-proof
Being made of wood, laminate flooring is not impervious to the effects of moisture. Therefore, it's not suitable as a hard flooring for bathrooms and should be used with caution in kitchens or laundries. Light surface water for cleaning shouldn't cause issues, but saturation must be avoided.