Hardwood vs. Laminate Flooring in Santa Cruz, CA

Original hardwood floors are often found in older, more traditional styles of homes, while newer homes tend to use laminate floors that mimic the natural look of wood to keep prices lower. Either option can make for fine flooring, but if you’re torn between the two, it’s important to understand the various pros and cons of each option.

With this in mind, here are some considerations you’ll want to take into account when deciding between hardwood and laminate flooring in Santa Cruz, CA.

Price

Price probably isn’t the sole factor you’ll base your decision on, but it’s certainly something to consider.

If you’re working on a tight budget, laminate might be the better option. Hardwood flooring is made from harvested trees, with the price depending on the rarity of the wood. But in general, hardwood is much more expensive to purchase and install. Laminate, meanwhile, is made from composite wood pressed together in a high-temperature application, with the image of hardwood stamped onto the composite wood. The materials are cheaper, and installation is less complicated (and also cheaper).

So while price isn’t the only factor you should consider, you should at least go into the decision-making process with the knowledge that new hardwood floors will cost you much more to purchase and install.

Durability

How long will the floors last you? You want a surface that will look great for many years to come.

Good hardwood will last a lifetime, but you should keep in mind that it is highly susceptible to scratching, damage from moisture and will show wear in heavily used and trafficked areas. The wood will add some considerable value to your home, though, and any wear and tear can be repaired through sanding and refinishing the wood as needed.

Laminate is made from pressed wood, which means it’s more resistant to scratches, moisture and general wear and tear. It is also easier to clean than hardwood. However, it is not as visually appealing, and you cannot refinish laminate the same way you can with hardwood. By refinishing hardwood, you can change the stain color and the entire appearance of a room. You’re essentially stuck with the look you get with laminate for as long as it remains in your house.

Value

As previously mentioned, a well-maintained hardwood floor will raise the value of your home and have much better resale value than laminate floors. However, there are some types of hardwoods that are less desirable for flooring purposes, such as red oak, which could actually lower the value of your home.

There are some types of premium, high-quality laminate that will have a decent resale value, and you might be able to transfer warranties from owner to owner, but in general you can expect hardwood to be the better option if it’s a value-adding purchase in nature.

These are just a few factors to consider when debating whether to install hardwood or laminate flooring in Santa Cruz, CA. Contact the experts at The Wholesale House today for more information.

Categorised in: Laminate Flooring

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