Is Laminate Flooring Your Choice?
By Leon Chaddock

Editor's Summary: Laminate flooring looks like hardwood flooring, but has some advantages that hardwood does not. Read about the differences so you can decide between hardwood and laminate.

Laminate flooring is a material that is made to resemble wood flooring. This type of flooring has many advantages that other woods simply can not provide you with. When you take a close look at it, you can not really tell that it isn't a true hardwood either. This is one of the advantages. Let's compare the two types to find out which is the right one for you.

True hardwood flooring has many grain marks that are original and unique. Laminate flooring has many of the same markings and looks just like the real thing.

Hardwood flooring needs continuous maintenance. You need to keep it clean, keep things that can scratch it off of it, and you will need to protect it with coatings when needed. It is expensive to maintain! Laminate flooring is much easier to take care of. You simply need a wet mop to clean it up and while you won't use chemicals on it, you don't have to take care not to scratch it as much. It is much more resistant to damage.

Hardwood flooring that is laid correctly will last a lifetime. Laminate flooring will probably last just as long if not longer.

Laminate flooring is much less expensive than hardwoods that can cost you ten times as much as laminates.

Both can be stained in the colors that you want them to be. They can both be protected with special layers of protective coatings that will keep them looking beautiful and lasting a long time.

Laminate flooring is able to be used regularly where as with true hardwood floors, you will need to take special precautions to make sure that they are not damaged. Water can even damage many hardwoods.

When you are considering the purchase of laminates, make sure to look at the value that it offers to a home. Many love the look of hardwood and the no nonsense trouble that laminates afford. Which is your choice?