Laminate Vs Solid Hardwood Flooring Comparison Guide

Laminate Vs Solid Hardwood Flooring Comparison Guide 2024

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If you are the one going to remodel your home or are planning to move to an entirely new place, the first thing that you must check on is the flooring. Flooring is an essential element of your entire home decor and demands extra consideration when it is time to install a new one. So, you might be looking for highly durable flooring that not only elevates the beauty of your precious place to the next level but also could run longer with you.

As hard floor coverings are much in trend because they give a luxurious look to your pace. Most people get confused between laminate vs solid hardwood flooring. With that being said, we are here with a complete guide to assist you with the laminate and hardwood flooring so that you could make a standard choice. Here, you will get to know everything about these floor coverings, from the manufacturing process to their pros and cons of them.

Laminate Flooring

laminate flooring

Talking about the laminate flooring, it is the top choice of most people who want to give their house a classy look at the most affordable price. Because it can perfectly replicate the look of real hardwood flooring and give your house an attractive look.

There are major pros that could make you install this beautifully designed floor covering in your home space. While its cons can also not be neglected. So, here you are going to get to know everything about it, which is obviously mentioned below.

Manufacturing Process Of Laminate Flooring

Manufacturing Process Of Laminate Flooring

This amazing floor covering is generally manufactured by compressing the four layers together at the high heat temperature, i.e. under 300 degrees. So that a sustainable single layer of this flooring is made. The very bottom layer of this flooring is known as Becker paper, which supports the flooring and keeps the straight into its place. Then, there comes the core layer, which is a high-density fiberboard made up of softwood fibers. This layer increases the stability of the entire flooring.

After that, a decorative layer is compressed over it. It is actually the premium quality printed design that gives the flooring an aesthetic look. It can be the look of real wood, marble, or stone. On the top, it wears an overlay layer. Although this layer gives the p[erfct finishing to the floor, covering yet it performs many other major functions, i.e. it enhances the durability of laminate flooring. It protects the flooring from everyday minor wear and tears. In addition, it acts as a guard for the decorative layer and protects it from the ultraviolet UV rays coming from the sun.

Installation Process of This Beautifully Designed Laminate FLooring

Installation Process Of Laminate Flooring

However, the installation process of this laminate flooring is not a task that should be done by professionals. You can save your money by getting it done by yourself. In this comparison guide of Laminate Vs Solid Hardwood Flooring, firstly check out the flooring layout by test-fitting some planks on the sub-floor. So that, you could have a perfect idea in which pattern you want to get the planks installed. Then, install the underlayment before laying the laminate flooring planks. That underlayment will help to absorb the sound and act as a vapor barrier, which makes the flooring long-lasting.

Now, start the installation of planks by cutting the grooves with the help of a utility knife. Lay the first plank against the wall, spacing it almost ¼ inches away from the wall. When you reach out to the last plank, it will be a long one. Keep in mint to cut the planks according to the desired lengths. Lay all the planks in the very same manner, i.e. by using the “click lock” method. And here you are, done with the installation of your beautifully designed laminate flooring.

Some Legit Perks Of Laminate Flooring

Coming forward, the following are some legit perks of laminate flooring which you should know in order to make a standard choice regarding floor covering.

  • It is highly affordable
  • Perfectly mimic the look of real hardwood flooring
  • Give your space a much classy look.
  • Highly scratch-resistant and can withstand everyday wear and tears.
  • It is easy to get cleaned, requiring almost no maintenance
  • Easy to get installed

Drawbacks Of Laminate Flooring

While having a talk on everything about laminate flooring, let’s just not ignore its drawback. Following are some disadvantages that you must know before making a purchase on this floor covering.

  • Once it gets damaged, it cannot be refinished, you have to replace the entire flooring
  • It is not moisture-proof, thus cannot get installed in moisture-prone areas.

Solid Hardwood Flooring

Solid Hardwood Flooring

Real hardwood flooring giving an aesthetic look to your entire home space has made itself much appealing in the market from the very start. Nothing can still replace it. It has its own recognition and people who know it’s worth making it their very first priority while getting any floor covering installed at their precious place.

It is a highly durable flooring and is known as the king of all other floor coverings. It can last up to decades if you take care of it in a proper manner, i.e. getting it refinished after 5-8 years. Let’s have a look at its manufacturing, installation, and major pros and cons so that you can make a perfect purchase on the flooring.

Manufacturing of Highly Durable Solid Hardwood Flooring

Manufacturing processes of Solid Hardwood Flooring

Ideally, real hardwood flooring planks are made up of a single wood piece. Its manufacturing process starts with the cutting of trees. After that, the cutting off of the pieces gets started. The cutting of the pieces matters a lot because the stability and price of flooring depend on it. After the cutting process, the next step is to make the planks smooth enough to get installed at the place and to give it a beautiful look.

Then, with the help of a machine, the groove and tongues are cut down off each plank. In order to give it a classy and antique look, the hand scrapping process is done. At the last, these planks get delivered to the shops either finished or unfinished. A finished state means having numerous coats of protective layers on them. Or unfinished state means the protective gets applied after the installation process.

Installation Of Beautifully Designed Hardwood Flooring

Installation Solid Hardwood Flooring

Generally, when studying about the Laminate Vs Solid Hardwood Flooring comparison, the installation process of solid hardwood flooring demands the hiring of professional services. Because its process is somehow tricky. And, because this professionally manufactured flooring is expensive, the installation must be done with much care. First thing first, before the lodging process, the subfloor gets properly prepared so that planks could get installed smoothly. Don’t forget to perform the moisture tests recommended by the manufacturers.

Now, you can apply either the glue-down method or the nail-staples method for the installation. Start the process by laying the first row almost ½ inches away from the wall. And get each plank glued down or stapled accordingly. Lay the entire flooring in the very same manner. Now, if the flooring is unfinished, get it coated with the protective layers, and here you go with your doable home flooring, amplifying the beauty of the entire decor.

Astounding Advantages of Solid Hardwood Flooring

Coming forward in the discussion, here are some advantages of slid hardwood flooring which can make you buy it and get it installed at your pace to give it a more attractive look.

  • Highly durable and can last up to a decade
  • Easy to clean, requiring minimal maintenance
  • Give your precious place an adorable look
  • Adds worth to your property
  • Can go with any or every home furnishings
  • If gets damaged, it can be refinished and give a look at newly installed floor covering

Major Drawbacks of Hardwood Flooring

Although it has some legit advantages which can make anyone make a purchase on it. But, here are some of its major drawbacks which you should consider before buying it.

  • It is much expensive
  • It requires professional services for the installation process
  • Risk of color discoloration

To Conclude

At the very last of this article, I really hope that you know everything about laminate and solid hardwood flooring. Laminate flooring is made of composite wood, a cost-effective alternative to hardwood comes in a wide range, is more resistant to scratches and stains, and is easy to install. Solid hardwood flooring is made from 100% natural wood, and offers a natural look and feel, consider a premium flooring option, more expensive, can be more susceptible to scratches and stains, and needs to be nailed or glued down to a subfloor.

Because all the above-mentioned things in this comparison guide of Laminate Vs Solid Hardwood Flooring cannot be neglected before making a choice between laminate and real solid hardwood. The manufacturing, installation, pros, and cons should be considered before you get them installed in your living place.

Tags: Flooring Guide

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