Author
Home > General > What is the Difference Between Hardwood and laminate flooring?

Guilherme Mazui

•4 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Hardwood and laminate flooring?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between hardwood and laminate flooring lies in their composition, appearance, durability, and maintenance requirements. Here is a comparison of the two:

Hardwood Flooring:

  • Made of 100% wood, from top to bottom.
  • Preserves the unique textured grain and appearance of real wood.
  • Can be solid or engineered hardwood.
  • Can be refinished every 10-20 years to remove dings, scratches, or dents.
  • More expensive than laminate flooring.
  • Less susceptible to water damage compared to laminate.

Laminate Flooring:

  • Made of a pressed-wood core with an image layer simulating the look of natural wood, topped with a clear wear layer.
  • Comprised of fiberboard with a photographic pattern placed on top.
  • Not made of real wood, but can simulate the appearance of wood.
  • Easier to clean and less susceptible to scratches than hardwood.
  • More budget-friendly than hardwood flooring.
  • Cannot be refinished like hardwood flooring.
  • Prone to expanding and bubbling when water sits on the flooring.

In summary, hardwood flooring is made of real wood and maintains its unique texture and grain, while laminate flooring is a synthetic product made to imitate the appearance of wood. Hardwood flooring is more expensive and requires more maintenance, but it can be refinished to prolong its life. Laminate flooring is more affordable and easier to clean, but it cannot be refinished like hardwood flooring.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Hardwood and laminate flooring?
  • Comparative Table: Hardwood vs laminate flooring

    • Comparative Table: Hardwood vs laminate flooring

    Here is a table comparing the differences between hardwood and laminate flooring:

    Feature Hardwood Flooring Laminate Flooring
    Material Solid wood, made from hardwood species such as birch, Brazilian cherry, cherry, maple, oak, and walnut High-density fiberboard with a photographic layer that resembles wood
    Appearance Represents the genuine look, feel, and texture of real wood Wood-like appearance, but the realism degrades when viewed up close
    Durability More durable due to the natural density of hardwoods Less durable compared to hardwood, but still suitable for most residential applications
    Installation Requires nailing boards to the subfloor through the tongues along the edges Easier for do-it-yourselfers to install, with boards that snap together
    Lifespan Generally lasts longer than laminate Has a shorter lifespan compared to hardwood
    Resale Value Better for resale value Lower resale value compared to hardwood
    Comfort Harder underfoot compared to laminate More comfortable underfoot
    Ease of Installation Requires more labor and experience to install Easier for do-it-yourselfers to install
    Cost Generally more expensive Less expensive than hardwood
    Maintenance Requires regular cleaning, polishing, and potential refinishing Easier to maintain, as it only requires regular sweeping and mopping
    Environmental Impact Sourced from trees, with a significant environmental impact Less environmentally impactful due to its synthetic nature

    In summary, hardwood flooring offers a genuine wood appearance and better durability, while laminate flooring is more affordable, comfortable, and easier to install and maintain.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.