Wood floors and laminated floors are hard to tell apart and can be quite deceptive for the casual onlooker. It is only by touching or examining closely when you will be able to tell the difference between the two. Both of these flooring options have their own pros and cons, still both are in high demand and enjoy a healthy market share in their own individual capacities.

Here are a few differentiating characteristics which might help you in making up your mind as to which of the two would best suit your flooring needs.

Life Span

Hard wood floors in comparison to Laminated Floors have a longer life span. A properly installed wooden floor preferably done by a skilled hardwood flooring installer can last for ages. Whereas laminated floors have a relatively short life span and tend to lose their original hue and color over time.

Installation

As compared to wooden floors laminated floors are easier to install and even a homeowner with some experience of carpentry could have a good go at it. However, installing wood floors could be a challenging proposition even for the most enthusiastic do-it-yourselfer. So it is best if you leave their installation to the expertise of a hardwood flooring installer.

Re-conditioning

Laminated floors lack the ability of being reconditioned once they reach the end of their useful life, and cannot be revived back to their original form. So the only possible alternative left is to replace them with new ones. Wood floors if maintained properly last much longer before they need any re-conditioning, and if required a good hardwood flooring installer can easily treat them to be as good as new.

Pricing

Lamination floor products are comparatively cost less than wooden floors and some qualities start as low as under 1$ per square foot. So for the budget sensitive these floors would be a better choice.

Choice in Style Design and Color

When it comes to the range of style design and color laminated floors have an upper hand as compared to timber floors. Laminated floors come in a variety of different styles, designs and color shades giving you much more freedom of choice and home décor options. Timber floors though limited to some classic designs and color tones can be refinished to a different color tone or design by an expert hardwood flooring installer.

Value Addition

Timber floors are considered to be traditional, and have been around for centuries. They give your house a classic and expensive look. Considering their durability you can consider such flooring as a value addition to your house.

Taking all these distinctive points into consideration, the overall layout of your home and your personal preferences you can take a decision as to what type of flooring suits you the best.

If you are not sure what type of flooring would best suit you, and you are having trouble choosing between laminated floors or Maryland wood floors. Or you are in the midst of deciding to do it by yourself or hiring a hardwood flooring installer read this article to make up your mind.

Hardwood or Laminated Floors – Which Ones Are Better?

By Mike Lawwson