Facts About Hardwood Flooring And Whether You Should Go With Laminate, Solid Or Engineered

Remodelers and homeowners will commonly choose hardwood floors over other types. The reason is the fact that they are easy to clean, they’re very durable, they go with most styles of homes and they are popular. Some people won’t notice but there are different kinds of hardwood floors to choose and these include engineered, solid, and laminate hardwood. Since we now understand that there are different types we will take a look at the most common kinds along with their advantages and disadvantages.

Engineered Hardwood

If you need a hardwood that handles moisture well then, this is a good choice. It is commonly used in places like basements because of its ability to hold up well when there is dampness or heat from radiant heating systems. This type of hardwood is versatile and stable and unlikely to buckle when compared to other types such as laminate flooring which is why they are used in areas where they will be exposed to moisture or other similarly harsh conditions.

The price is another reason some will choose this type of hardwood and the fact that its upkeep and installation are easy. This type of flooring only requires a thin slice as the top layer and this is why it cost less than other hardwood types. This type is also considered a green choice because the trees are grown much faster than solid hardwoods are.

Engineered hardwood does have some drawbacks. Because it’s something that’s made by others you have to be concerned about the quality of the product. With solid hardwoods, this is not nearly as much of a concern. Engineered hardwood is much cheaper than solid hardwood but it’s not necessarily cheaper than carpet or laminate. There is a concern that if the product is too thin or it’s made poorly then it can warp or fade in a short period of time. To get consulted more about engineered timber products, you can get to this timber flooring Melbourne showroom.

Solid Hardwood

This is a type of flooring that is made from a solid piece of natural wood. Each piece is made from real wood. This is not the case when talking about engineered or laminate hardwood. Commonly, hardwood will come in pieces that are 3/4 of an inch thick.

This type will need to be nailed down to subfloors that are wood. This means that if your home has a slab or concrete then it may not be suitable. Even so, for those that can use it, it is sometimes preferred because some owners really like the real thing.

Using solid hardwood will create a natural look and fill the home with the scent of hardwood. Most property owners, when given the choice, will choose solid hardwood floors. This type of floor has less of a building process and this gives families a bigger variety of options.

Because of the fact that each piece is made from a solid wood slab they are easy to refinish and sand. This makes this type of floor more durable than the others mentioned which can often offset the added upfront cost. When this type of floor is cared for in the right way, it will usually last longer than other choices such as carpet which again can significantly offset the upfront cost and make it a good value.

As nice a choice as solid hardwoods are, they do have some drawbacks. Even though they are easier to repair and more durable they are still susceptible to dings and dents. If you were to accidentally drop an object that is fairly heavy then you might damage the floor. If it remains wet for too long it can swell and develop gaps. This is why you will almost never see solid hardwood used in bathrooms, laundry rooms or basements.

This choice will be more expensive initially than the other options are. Their price tag brings some benefits, however. They give a beautiful and glossy finish.

Laminate Floors

This system uses tongue and groove flooring along with a resin-based surface or it’s bonded to a wood-based core. These cores can be compressed kraft paper or high-density fiberboard. On the bottom of the laminate flooring is a protective backing. Because this type of material is only about a third of an inch thick it’s possible to place it over existing floors without a lot of issues. The surface pattern is typically hardwood but sometimes it is marble or stone.

Price is one of the biggest reasons people choose this type of floor. It can be as much as half the cost of solid hardwood. Because this material is made of pressed wood it tends to be very durable and highly resistant against dents and scratches. The product is easy to install and some homeowners feel that it’s easier to clean than other types.

One of the drawbacks to laminate floors is the fact that it doesn’t hold up well if exposed to moisture. This is why you will almost never find this type of floor used in kitchen areas, laundry rooms, or bathrooms. If it is exposed to water it might become swollen or uneven and make the floor unattractive and even not usable.

There are situations where this type of flooring can form raised joints when two planks get pushed together. This happens if the planks were not glued correctly or if there wasn’t enough space between the edge of the flooring. Any type of floor may need to be repaired at times but laminate flooring doesn’t come with a lot of options for repairing it. This type of floor simply doesn’t refinish or sand well.

It might be possible to replace some damaged pieces, but it’s often difficult to find a replacement with exactly the same pattern. This means that replacing individual pieces is often not possible. Once the floor gets damaged it will usually have to be fully replaced.

 

Conclusion

Hardwood floors have been popular for a long time and their popularity is continuing to grow every day. It’s very unlikely that this trend is going away anytime in the foreseeable future. Solid hardwoods will always be the choice for diehard lovers of wood.

Engineered Hardwoods are considered a greener option and those looking for the cheapest choice will want to go with laminate. Each choice has its advantages and disadvantages as has been demonstrated above. The only question is, which one will you go with?