Laminate Flooring Compared To Hardwood

Let s explore the differences between laminate and hardwood floors.

Laminate flooring compared to hardwood. Hardwood flooring is made from natural durable woods such as oak maple or hickory that can last a long time when maintained properly laminate flooring which is made of a synthetic fiberboard material and has a laminate finish is much cheaper than hardwood but will not last as long. The boards usually 3 4 inch thick are generally milled with a smooth top surface and tongue and groove edges that interlock to hold the boards together. Laminate flooring and engineered hardwood floors are very similar and often get confused but there are some key differences to take into consideration when comparing the two floors.

This does not mean laminate flooring is a particularly inferior choice however as in some cases it can. Laminate flooring is almost always installed in a floating application with the planks fitting together in a tongue and groove style which makes a faster easier installation than hardwood. The main difference between the two floors is that engineered hardwood floors have an actual hardwood surface but structurally they are very similar to a laminate.