Laminate vs. Hardwood: A Side-by-side Look

When it comes to choosing the perfect flooring for your home, the debate between hardwood and laminate is one that homeowners and interior designers alike find themselves wrestling with. 

On one hand, hardwood floors offer natural beauty, warmth, and a timeless appeal that can increase the value of your home. They bring a slice of nature indoors, with each plank telling a unique story through its grain and texture. 

On the other hand, laminate flooring provides a cost-effective and durable alternative that can mimic the look of hardwood without the hefty price tag and maintenance requirements. 

This article aims to lay out a side-by-side comparison of laminate vs hardwood flooring, considering factors such as durability, installation, maintenance, and cost, to help you make an informed decision that suits your lifestyle, budget, and aesthetic preferences.

Hardwood and Laminate Differences

Hardwood and laminate are both highly favored flooring options, but they differ significantly in makeup and features. At first glance, especially from afar, they might both pass for wood due to their similar appearance. However, a closer inspection reveals the contrasts: laminate tends to reveal its man-made nature, while hardwood displays even more natural beauty and unique characteristics up close. The differences between the two become even more pronounced when it comes to other important aspects, such as durability, maintenance, and cost. Let’s delve into these distinctions across key categories.

Which Offers Better Water Resistance?

When selecting flooring, understanding how well each material withstands water is key, especially for areas prone to spills or high humidity.

Hardwood: While offering a classic aesthetic, hardwood’s natural composition makes it vulnerable to moisture, leading to potential warping or damage. It’s less recommended for wet areas unless treated with a waterproof sealant.

Laminate: Engineered for higher resilience, laminate generally withstands moisture better than hardwood. Some laminate options are specifically designed to be waterproof, making them more suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.

Verdict: Laminate flooring takes the lead in water resistance, making it a more versatile choice for moisture-prone areas of the home. Always check the product specifications to ensure the level of water resistance meets your needs.

How Long Will the Floors Last?

Understanding the anticipated lifespan of your flooring enables you to make informed decisions regarding maintenance, renovation, and replacement cycles, ultimately contributing to your property’s overall sustainability and cost efficiency.

Hardwood: Hardwood stands out for its enduring nature, often lasting for generations when maintained correctly. It can be sanded and refinished several times, effectively renewing its surface and extending its lifespan.

Laminate: Laminate flooring, though not reparable like hardwood, can serve well for up to 25 years with the right care. Its longevity hinges on the quality of the laminate and adherence to maintenance guidelines.

Verdict: Hardwood floors are a long-term investment, offering unparalleled longevity through the possibility of multiple refinements. Laminate offers a durable alternative with a significant lifespan, making it a practical choice for those seeking a balance between cost and durability.

Are They Easy to Maintain?

Ensuring that you provide proper care and regular maintenance is crucial when preserving both the aesthetic appeal and the long-term durability of your flooring, so how do these materials compare in terms of effort?

Hardwood: Hardwood requires regular care, including sweeping, dry mopping, and occasional polishing to maintain its shine and prevent damage. It’s sensitive to excessive moisture and scratches, so precautions are necessary, especially in high-traffic areas.

Laminate: Laminate flooring is known for its ease of maintenance. It resists stains and scratches better than hardwood and can be cleaned with simple sweeping and damp mopping. Laminate is less prone to damage from spills, provided they’re wiped up promptly.

Verdict: Laminate flooring stands out for its low maintenance requirements, making it an ideal choice for busy households. Hardwood, while requiring more careful upkeep, offers the reward of natural beauty and the potential for restoration over time.

Which is Easier to Install?

The ease of installation is an important consideration, especially for DIY enthusiasts or those looking to minimize labor costs.

Hardwood: Installing hardwood flooring can be more complex, often requiring professional installation. It involves precise measurements, cutting, and often nailing down planks, making it a more labor-intensive process.

Laminate: Laminate flooring is generally more user-friendly when it comes to installation. Many laminate products come with click-together designs that allow for a floating floor installation, making it an accessible DIY project for many homeowners.

Verdict: Laminate flooring takes the lead in installation ease, offering a straightforward process that can save time and potentially reduce installation costs. Hardwood, while more challenging to install, provides a timeless and classic appeal for those willing to invest in professional installation.

How Do They Compare in Terms of Comfort?

The sensation of walking on a surface day in and day out can be really important to some of us, so you must consider how each material would feel in your home.

Hardwood: Hardwood floors provide a warm, natural feel and can be more comfortable underfoot compared to harder materials. They also have the ability to retain heat, making them a cozy option in cooler climates.

Laminate: Laminate flooring, while not as hard as tile, can feel firmer underfoot than hardwood due to its dense fiberboard core. However, the addition of underlayment can improve its comfort, providing a slightly softer feel and better noise insulation.

Verdict: Hardwood offers a naturally comfortable and warm underfoot experience, highlighting the cozy ambiance of a home. Laminate, with the right underlayment, can also achieve a level of comfort and noise reduction, making it a practical option for those seeking a balance between comfort and durability.

Which One is More Pleasing to The Eye?

Aesthetic appeal is subjective, but the visual impact of your flooring choice can significantly influence the atmosphere and style of your home.

Hardwood: Hardwood floors boast a timeless beauty, with each plank offering unique grain patterns, colors, and textures that contribute to an elegant and warm ambiance. The natural variations in hardwood ensure that no two floors are exactly alike, adding character and depth to any space.

Laminate: Modern laminate flooring has come a long way in mimicking the look of real wood, with high-quality options offering convincing textures and patterns. While laminate can closely resemble hardwood from a distance, up close, it may lack the depth and richness of genuine wood grain.

Verdict: Hardwood is often considered the more visually appealing option due to its natural beauty and unique character. Laminate offers a practical and cost-effective alternative that can achieve a similar aesthetic, especially from a distance, making it a suitable choice for those prioritizing budget without significantly compromising on style.

Which One is Healthier?

The health implications of flooring choices are important, especially considering air quality and allergen accumulation in homes.

Hardwood: Hardwood floors are often considered healthier due to their natural composition, which doesn’t trap dust, pollen, or other allergens. This makes it easier to maintain a cleaner and healthier indoor environment, particularly beneficial for those with allergies or respiratory issues. Additionally, hardwood floors typically have fewer chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared to synthetic materials.

Laminate: Laminate flooring, while easy to clean and resistant to dust accumulation, may emit higher levels of VOCs due to the adhesives and resins used in its manufacture. However, many modern laminate options are designed to be low-VOC, complying with stricter health and safety standards to minimize their impact on indoor air quality.

Verdict: Hardwood is generally considered the healthier option due to its natural materials and lower propensity to harbor allergens and emit VOCs. However, with advancements in manufacturing, high-quality laminate flooring can also be a suitable option for maintaining a healthy indoor environment, especially those certified as low-VOC products.

How Do They Endure Heavy Usage?

The ability to withstand heavy foot traffic and daily wear and tear is important for flooring in busy homes and high-traffic areas.

Hardwood: Hardwood is durable and can withstand many years of use, but it is susceptible to scratches, dents, and wear in high-traffic areas. Its longevity can be extended with protective finishes and regular maintenance, and it can be refinished to repair wear over time.

Laminate: Laminate flooring is constructed with a tough wear layer that makes it highly resistant to scratches, stains, and fading. It tends to hold up better under heavy use without showing immediate signs of wear, making it a strong candidate for high-traffic and active areas.

Verdict: While both flooring types offer their own advantages, laminate flooring generally provides better resistance to the rigors of heavy usage due to its protective surface layer. Hardwood, with proper care, offers a durable surface that can be refreshed through refinishing, catering to those who value the natural aesthetic and are willing to maintain it.

Which One is More Budget-Friendly?

Cost is a major factor in flooring decisions, influencing not only the initial purchase but also long-term value.

Hardwood: Hardwood flooring is typically more expensive due to the cost of the natural materials and the installation process, which often requires professional labor. The investment in hardwood can enhance the property’s value, but the upfront costs are higher.

Laminate: Laminate flooring is known for being more cost-effective, offering the look of hardwood at a fraction of the price. It’s not only more affordable in terms of material costs but also often entails lower installation costs, especially if you opt for a DIY approach.

Verdict: Laminate flooring emerges as the more budget-friendly option, providing a practical and attractive solution without the higher expense associated with hardwood. While hardwood requires a larger initial investment, its durability and potential to increase home value offer long-term benefits for those willing to invest.

Best Hardwood & Laminate Brands

Laminate: Our favorite laminate flooring brands are Newton and Liberty Home. Newton is an affordable flooring brand that doesn’t sacrifice quality or style. While both brands offer stunning designs, Liberty Home may be your preferred choice if you search for flooring that ships quickly and is easy to install.

Hardwood: Doma and Paradiso stand out as two of the best hardwood flooring brands for your consideration. Both are under the Proximity Mills family but have a unique offering. Paradiso is the ultimate luxury hardwood flooring featuring the most stunning designs. For those who aren’t budgeting for a high-end product like Paradiso, Doma might be right up your alley.

Making a Decision

Ultimately, the choice of laminate versus hardwood flooring depends on your specific room, lifestyle, and budget. Prioritize your requirements and decide based on what aligns best with your priorities. Each flooring type offers its own benefits and considerations, so take the time to assess your needs and preferences to select the perfect flooring for your home.