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Laminate Floors

Laminate Flooring vs. Hardwood: Pros and Cons of Each for Your Home

2 May 2024 | kwd

When you stop to think about it, you’ll realise just how important your choice of flooring is. Your floors can add to your NZ home’s beauty, but they can also add to your comfort and quality of life. Gorgeous laminate floors and hardwood floors are popular choices here in Aotearoa, so if you’re choosing new floors for your home project, you’re most likely wondering which you should pick. 

Both of these modern options offer unique advantages, but like anything else, they also have their drawbacks. To make the best choice for your home and your lifestyle, it’s vital that you understand the pros and cons of each so you can pick the right choice for you. 

Understanding Laminate Floors

First, let’s cover laminate flooring. This multi-layer flooring, which is created by using a lamination process and layers of sturdy materials, is a great choice for modern homes for a variety of reasons:

     

    Pros:

      • Affordability. If you’re on a strict budget but you still want a high-quality flooring solution, then laminate floors could be right for you. These durable floors are relatively inexpensive. While there are laminate options at varying prices, you should be able to find a good and affordable solution. 

      • Durability. These sturdy floors are known for their durable qualities and resistance to scratches, stains and fading. These robust qualities make them an ideal choice for high-traffic areas and homes with many people, energetic children or pets. 

      • Easy Maintenance. Laminate floors are generally easy to clean. There aren’t any special instructions to keep your lovely floors beautiful, besides the fact that you should avoid using excess water.

    Cons:

      • Susceptibility To Moisture. Despite being water-resistant, laminate flooring can still suffer from excessive moisture exposure. Prolonged exposure to water can lead to warping, swelling or separation between each board. A good way to prevent water damage is to avoid using too much water when cleaning and clean up spills as soon as possible. Additionally, proper installation can help to protect against water damage. Careful installation can lead to a more durable structure, and a damp-resistant underlay can provide additional moisture protection.

      • It Can’t Be Refinished. Unlike solid timber hardwood floors, laminate flooring cannot be refinished. This is due to its multi-layered structure, meaning the floors cannot be sanded down much, as doing so could expose the lower layers and make your floors weaker. 

    Understanding Hardwood Floors

    Hardwood floors are a classic option that have been adored for ages. Here’s what you should know about them:

    Pros

      • Timeless Beauty. Natural wood has an elegance that’s hard to beat. Each plank has the essence of nature, and no two planks are exactly the same due to their natural patterns. These wooden floors add warmth, character and class to any NZ space, enhancing the overall visual appeal and comfort of your home.

      • Longevity. Hardwood flooring is loved for its longevity and durability, meaning you can enjoy it for years. Unlike laminate floors, hardwood floors can be refinished, allowing you to refresh your floors when you need to. 

      • Environmental Sustainability. Many hardwood flooring options are sourced from sustainably managed forests, which means they are a good choice for those who care about eco-friendly options. Of course, hardwood is also a renewable resource.

    Cons:

      • Higher Cost. Hardwood floors tend to be pricier than laminate flooring, making them a less viable choice if you’re on a tight budget. Although, it’s important to remember that these floors are very long-lasting, so you can view your purchase of hardwood floors as an investment that’ll serve you and your family well for many years.

      • Susceptible To Scratches And Damage. Unfortunately, hardwood is vulnerable to scratches and other kinds of damage over time. We recommend taking measures to prevent this kind of damage. For example, lovely rugs cleverly placed in high-traffic areas can protect your beautiful floor from damage while adding colour to your space. Furthermore, furniture pads placed under chair legs, table legs and other parts of furniture that could drag on the ground can prevent damage from your furniture moving. 

    Laminate Floors Vs Hardwood Floors, Which Is Right For You?

    Overall, when it comes to which type of flooring is best, there is no right answer. We recommend first thinking about your personal goals and requirements, such as your budget, your visual preferences and other qualities that are important to you. Then, compare your needs to the various pros and cons to figure out which fits you the best. 

    If you know what you want, or if you’re still having trouble deciding, we at Colthurst Flooring are here to help. As a local NZ flooring provider, we’re proud to be a company that you can trust for top-notch services. 

    Are you looking for something different? No worries; along with laminate floors and hardwood floors, we also have various other options for you to browse through.

    For assistance, you can contact our friendly team on 09 988 9630. 

    Find the perfect flooring solution for you; trust us at Colthurst Flooring.