Deciding between Hardwood and Laminate flooring for your home can be a big decision. Here in The Bay Area, the choice between the two types of flooring can have an impact on your home’s value and appearance. As well as reaching out to a quality flooring contractor, take an assessment of your home and your wants and needs from your floor.
Deciding to install either hardwood or laminate flooring can depend on a few factors:
- The cost of the installation
- Overall appearance and look
- The longevity/durability of your flooring choice
- Ease of repair
- Rooms that are being re-floored
Redoing your floors in your home can be a big project and one you will live with for a while. Understanding what each type of flooring is and its benefits and drawbacks can help you make an informed decision. While cost is certainly a significant factor between the two, there are also other variables to consider. But before we explore them, let us first discover what each type of flooring is.
What are the Cost Comparisons for Hardwood vs. Laminate?
What is often the separating factor between hardwood and laminate and why one would opt for laminate flooring is the price. Generally speaking, laminate flooring is going to be a cheaper option. But, for those eyeing the longevity, quality and look of hardwood, there are still reasonably priced installations.
What is the Cost Difference for Hardwood and Laminate Flooring?
The quality of laminate flooring has indeed come a long way in the past few decades. But for most homeowners, the question is not whether to choose between hardwood or laminate but rather whether you are willing to pay for hardwood.
But if the price is a defining factor, then you can’t beat laminate. Cheap laminate, often used in low trafficked areas, can go for as little as $2 per sq. ft. But for higher quality laminate, you could undoubtedly see higher prices.
To give you an idea of pricing, here are some general cost scales for flooring in The Bay Area:
- Engineered Wood – $3-$12 Per sq. ft.
- Solid Hardwood – $4-$18 Per sq. ft.
- Laminate – $2-$9 Per sq. ft.
As you can see, pricing will vary greatly depending on what style of flooring you choose. You should also keep in mind installation costs when pricing out your next project.
What About Installation Costs?
Choosing the materials is just one cost, take into account that solid hardwood can be more intensive on the installation side. This will usually translate to higher costs from your contractor. To give you an idea of what that might look like, here are some general cost scales for installing a sq. ft of flooring:
| National Average Cost | $8 |
| Minimum Cost | $3 |
| Maximum Cost | $18 |
| Average Range | $6-$10 |
The higher range will correlate with solid hardwood flooring. On average, a sq. ft. of solid hardwood flooring with installation can cost anywhere from $12-$20. For laminate, you can expect anywhere from $4-$12 per sq. ft installed.
But when deciding between the two, you should also consider the longevity and durability of each material.
How Durable Is Hardwood?
Durability can’t easily be defined by one factor. When trying to gauge how durable flooring will be, you should look at a few variables.
These are:
- Resistance to moisture
- Resistance to scratches or dents
- Longevity, how long will the flooring last
Keep in mind that there are a lot of different types of solid hardwood flooring out there. Each type will meet these durability factors differently. Generally speaking, though, solid hardwood flooring is durable and can stand up to the average wear and tear from pets, children, and everyday use.
Is There a way to Figure out how Durable a Hardwood is?
To access hardwood’s durability, you should consult the Janka Hardness Scale. This is usually a reliable indicator of floor durability in regard to denting and hardness. The higher the rating, the more durable the wood will be.
Here are some common hardwood types and their Janka Hardness rating:
- Brazilian Cherry – 2,350
- Hard Maple – 1,850
- White Oak – 1,360
- Black Walnut – 1,010
Red Oak, one of the most popular choices for hardwood flooring, ranks in at 1,290.
Hardwood flooring can stand up to a lot, especially when using an incredibly dense wood like Hard Maple or Brazillian Cherry. But generally speaking, the more durable the wood, the more expensive the cost. So if you are looking to price out a more reasonable yet durable, option laminate can still make a great choice.
How Durable is Laminate Flooring?
Because laminate flooring is engineered with the wear layer on top, it can be fairly durable. But this does not mean it is impervious to scratches or dents. Generally speaking, though, you can expect laminate flooring to be able to hold up against everyday use. In fact, in high traffic areas like kitchens, laminate may be your best option.
This is also because it is easier to clean, thanks to the transparent wear layer. If you plan on re-flooring an area that gets messy, laminate can make for a great choice.
Here are some other features of laminate that make for a more durable flooring surface:
- Generally speaking, laminate is relatively water-resistant.
- Since they are made of synthetic materials, they are less prone to molding.
- The better quality your laminate choice, the more durable it will be.
Laminate is not without its drawbacks, though. Here are a couple of things to consider:
- Repairing damaged laminate planks means uprooting the planks and replacing them altogether.
- Proper maintenance and cleaning are essential to keeping laminate durable.
- The lower quality the laminate, the sooner it may need to be replaced.
Does one Look Better Than the Other?
While the look is certainly subjective, there are a couple of things to keep in mind regarding the overall appearance between the two flooring types. While it is true that laminate flooring, and the photorealistic image layer, have gotten significantly better in the past few years to the discerning eye, you can still tell the difference.
Laminate floors:
- Can emulate any material you choose, even ones like bamboo or cork that would typically be used in consumer settings.
- Newer and higher quality laminate planks will alternate the wood grain pattern or even integrate the surface texture of consecutive planks.
- Even though they mimic real wood, the glossy top layer can sometimes diminish the effect.
- Cheaper laminates will give away the mirage of wood by not having proper grain patterns.
Hardwood floors:
- Have the real look of wood with all the unexpected knots and natural grain patterns.
- You can use different stains to enhance the wood’s beauty and even use a wax layer to add a sheen or gloss.
- With lighter types of hardwood, like pine, you can even get creative with more colorful stains.
- Even with cheaper wood types, like red or white oak, you can get a better look than laminate.
- Hardwood can be scratched easily and, without proper maintenance, can get dulled over time.
But before you start negotiating with a professional contractor to install hardwood in all the rooms in your home, you should take an assessment of each room. While it may seem more elegant to use hardwood throughout each room, some rooms might be better suited for laminate.
What are the Designs for Laminate and Hardwood?
Laminate and Hardwood come in many different styles and designs. Laminate, though, certainly has more variety when it comes to designs. That doesn’t mean that hardwood flooring lacks variety, but for the most part, with solid wood flooring, it will be variations on a wood grain pattern and finish.
What are Some Laminate Flooring Designs?
Laminate can come in many different wood imitations designs like:
- High Gloss Wood Finish– A modern take on wood imitation with a sleeker finish.
- Hand-scraped– This type of laminate emulates the look and feel of antique real wood grain.
- Embossed– Also known as textured laminate, this gives a realistic wood groove appearance.
- Smooth– Smooth laminate will emulate a soft varnish similar to modern hardwood.
If you are looking for something different than a wood grain pattern, you could try some other designs.
- Stone Laminate Flooring
- Tile-imitation Laminate
- Laminate Flooring in a Chevron or Herringbone Pattern
- Laminate in Solid Colors
As you can see, laminate flooring can be an incredibly diverse flooring style. With it, you can match the interior design of any room easily and without compromise. Most laminate flooring is going to emulate the look of traditional wood floors, and for good reason. The timeless style you get from hardwood is very appealing and can make any room look good.
If you opt for hardwood, you can also expect to be met with a plethora of designs and styles.
What are Some Hardwood Floor Designs?
Solid hardwood flooring has the benefit of being able to be re-sanded and refinished. This can add a lot of longevity to your floor and means you can change the design by using a different finish. Keep in mind that solid hardwood also comes in different types.
They are:
- Unfinished– This means you will need to finish and treat the floor after it is installed. Better for large renovations and better customization.
- Prefinished – Prefinished flooring is easier to install, cheaper, can be used immediately, and limits the amount of VOC(Volatile Organic Compounds) in your home.
Hardwood flooring also comes in many different varieties, and for prefinished flooring, different types of finish choices. Here are a few varieties of hardwood flooring. Each has its own look and feel:
- Oak
- Cherry
- Walnut
- Hickory
- Maple
There are other types of all wood flooring out there on the market but be aware that even though they are made of wood, they may not classify as hardwood. There are woods, like pine, that are considered softwood flooring. While less expensive, they do not have the same kind of durability as hardwood varieties.
Which is Best for Pets/Kids?
When it comes to which one is better for kids and pets, you should ask a few questions:
- How easy is it to clean?
- How slippery can it get?
- How well does it hide scratches?
- How easy is it to repair?
As far as cleaning is concerned, both hardwood and laminate are relatively easy to clean. Both surfaces don’t collect animal dander, mold, or pollen like other flooring surfaces might. This makes them a great choice if you have children with allergies and/or pets in your home.
When it comes to which one can get more slippery, laminate tends to be the winner. Hardwood can also get slippery, but this will depend on the type of finish you are using. For dents and scratches, hardwood tends to be more durable and can hide damage easily, especially with harder woods.
When it comes to repairing, in the case of a kid knocking over something heavy or a pet’s claw causing scratches, hardwood wins because it can be easily sanded and refinished. Both surfaces tend to be good with kids and pets, but if you have the budget for it, hardwood takes a slight edge.
Are Some Rooms Better Suited For Different Types of Flooring?
Based on the above factors, you can probably guess that one floor type is not inherently better than the other. If you are trying to re-floor multiple rooms in your home, it may be a great idea to access each room individually and decide what floor type to use.
For example, high trafficked rooms may benefit from having a laminate installation. Since the wear layer prevents most scratches and dents from ever appearing, this could help you in the long run without the need to incur heavy repairs you might need for hardwood.
Laminate is also the right choice if you are in a room with a lot of water usage. While some hardwood types are relatively water-resistant, laminate can be a lot better at mitigating water damage, especially where mold might become an issue.
On the other hand, Hardwood is perfect for rooms in the home that don’t have special use like a living room or bedrooms. In places where you might get muck and grime everywhere, like a kitchen, hardwood may not be your best option.
What are the Best Flooring Options for Different Rooms?
Here are some rooms types and the better flooring choice:
| Room Type | Flooring Choice |
| Bedroom, Family Room, Den | Hardwood |
| Kitchen, Mudroom | Laminate |
| Basement | Laminate |
| Dining Room | Hardwood |
Keep in mind that there are even more flooring choices out there that this article has not explored, such as ceramic tile and poured concrete flooring. Some rooms may require these floors, especially when water/moisture is an issue, and using either laminate or hardwood may not be the best choice.
If you are re-flooring a bathroom, for example, you may want to opt for porcelain tile. For a room like a laundry room where water will be present, you may even go for vinyl flooring in place of laminate or hardwood.
Which Flooring is Easier to Repair and Maintain?
Appearance and cost are certainly important factors to consider before deciding on your flooring choice, but you should also consider maintenance. You will most likely be living with your floor choice for at least a decade, if not much more, so making sure you know what proper care will look like is important.
Here are some things about hardwood floors you should keep in mind:
- Hardwood is easy to clean, especially when using a vacuum cleaner.
- Hardwood can be refinished and sanded if you have any scratches or dents. While you can’t do this too many times, it is a great feature compared to laminate.
- Most modern floors will have a coat of polyurethane varnish, meaning you won’t need to wax them.
- You will need to take extra care when placing and moving furniture to avoid scratches.
- Hardwood can be damaged by standing water and flooding.
Laminate flooring also has its considerations when it comes to care and maintenance:
- While the planks themselves are resistant to stains and water, they are not impervious. Water can seep between the edges of the planks, causing damage underneath.
- Laminate is less likely to fade in direct sunlight.
- You won’t need to source a specialty cleaning solution to mop a laminate floor; with hardwood, it is recommended to use hardwood safe cleaners.
- It needs to be replaced when damaged and can’t be re-sandedand finished like hardwood.
Overall, both floor types are generally easy to clean. But because you will need to replace entire planks if they are damaged, there is a slight edge for longevity and repair for hardwood.
Wrapping Up
When choosing between hardwood or laminate, there are several factors to consider. While it is true that synthetic materials can’t easily replicate the real look of wood, when it comes to price and installation, laminate does have some advantages. If you are still stuck, always consult a professional contractor. There are many here in the bay area that can be an excellent resource for your next build or remodel.
Element Home Remodeling is a home remodeling and flooring company located in Mountain View, California. If you are located in The Bay Area and want to learn more about the best flooring options for your home, you can contact us today for a free flooring consultation.
