Why Hardwood Flooring vs. Other Flooring

Nowadays, there are many different flooring options for your home – hardwood floors, laminate floors, vinyl floors, ceramic tiles, carpet, and more. The options can be overwhelming when trying to decide on new flooring for your home. Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of different types of flooring and how traditional hardwood flooring comes out on top. 

Laminate 

Laminate floors are a lower cost, look-alike alternative to traditional hardwood flooring. These floors are called “laminate” because they consist of multiple different wood particle layers that are fused together via a lamination process. Each laminate board is designed to mimic wood textures and is sealed with a clear protective layer. A lot of people are opting for laminate flooring because it costs less, is easy to clean and maintain, and is durable. However, many people don’t consider the disadvantages when choosing this economical option. 

Unlike hardwood floors, laminate isn’t solid wood. It’s made from layers of fiber and wood particles that are pressed together to form a wood board. Even though they are very durable, laminate floors still behave like hardwoods where they can warp, suffer from water damage, and separate over time. Since laminate floor boards are thinner than solid hardwood, your floors can suffer from water damage even worse. Also, laminate floors can’t be refinished or stained. Because of the way it’s made and sealed, you can’t sand, stain, or refinish laminate floors, so you’ll have to replace your floors every time you want a new style in your home. Lastly, laminate floors are not designed to last the life of your home. While they are long-lasting, their lifetime may only be 15-25 years (if well taken care of) versus traditional hardwood floors lasting for the life of your home. 

Vinyl 

Vinyl flooring is very similar to laminate flooring; however, there is one major difference between the two. Laminate flooring is made from wood materials whereas vinyl is made entirely out of synthetic materials. Because of this, it is more durable than laminate floors since it does not pose a risk of water damage and warping. It does pose the same disadvantages as laminate floors in that it cannot be sanded, stained or refinished, and it cannot perfectly replicate the look of natural hardwood floors. 

Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles

Tile flooring is on the rise because it’s budget-friendly, durable and comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. Tiles are safe against water damage and are proven to be very durable against stains and scratches. However, the installation process is very different from that of hardwood flooring and it is not recommended to install tile flooring yourself. Compared to vinyl and laminate flooring, some ceramic flooring is designed to look and feel like wood planks – however, the difference is obvious that it’s tile and not wood. If you’re looking for a realistic wood flooring look, tile is not the option for you. 

Carpet

Out of this entire list, carpet is by far the most different. With this type of flooring, you are purposefully staying away from hard surface flooring. Carpet offers warmth, comfort and noise control for your home – it helps insulate and sound proof your space! However the cons far out way the pros of carpet. Unlike hard surface flooring, carpet involves more maintenance. It is not protected against spills, water damage, and wear and tear. Carpet requires a lot of cleaning and is not a good option for allergy sufferers. It can collect dust, dirt and bacteria. Carpet is generally less expensive than hardwood floors; however, it is not as long-lasting or as sanitary as traditional flooring. 

Through this article we explored the advantages and disadvantages of different flooring options. Even though these options are typically less expensive compared to hardwood floors, they do not provide the longevity and flexibility that hardwood floors do. Hardwoods are a great investment because they can last for generations and can be refinished and stained when you want a fresh new floor in your home, without the hassle and cost of replacing your entire flooring. Let the experts at Zack Hardwood Flooring help you explore your options and find the best fit for you.