How To Tell Difference Between Hardwood And Laminate Flooring

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How to tell difference between hardwood and laminate flooring.

Homeadvisor s flooring guide explains the differences between laminate and engineered hardwood and reviews the pros and cons of each. Here s how to tell the difference between hardwood and laminate flooring note. By looking at the rooms that each of these floor types has been used one can be able to tell the difference between the two types of floors. Most laminates have a protective layer so the flooring won t wear that much.

Both are very durable with laminate being less susceptible to scratches and easier to clean. The method of installation used to install every floor type can help a great deal in determining the differences between these two types of floor solutions. If your remodeling project or new construction calls for the look and feel of traditional hardwoods then your three main flooring options will be laminate hardwood and engineered wood floors. These methods apply most of the time but there are always exceptions.

Hardwood flooring is made from natural durable woods such as oak maple or hickory that can last a long time when maintained properly laminate flooring which is made of a synthetic fiberboard material and has a laminate finish is much cheaper than hardwood but will not last as long. Let s explore the differences between laminate and hardwood floors. Hardwood on the other hand can be resurfaced every 10 20 years to remove any dings scratches or dents on the surface. Laminate flooring how to tell the difference being able to spot the differences between flooring materials is not always as easy as it sounds.

Hardwood on the other hand can be affected by light and liquid. While hardwood flooring is the more authentic choice and has a longer life laminate flooring is usually the more affordable option. Just looking at a picture of a room is not enough and sometimes walking on the floor is not enough to tell the difference either. Laminate flooring is produced in a factory to replicate hardwood flooring and in most cases it can be a real challenge to distinguish between the two.

Both floor coverings were developed as economical and versatile alternatives to that mainstay of flooring material solid hardwood flooring. Laminate flooring and engineered wood flooring are two obvious choices if you want a flooring that looks like solid hardwood but at a more affordable price. Hardwood damages more easily than laminate so if the floor is covered in small dings and gouges it is probably hardwood. Check the floor for scratches and dents.