How does laminate wood flooring compare to real hardwood flooring?

So, when most homeowners are trying to give their house a beautiful, timeless appeal, they narrow it down to either laminate wood flooring or real hardwood flooring. Even though they may look quite similar, these flooring options have key differences that you must think about before choosing one.

First of all, laminate wood flooring is a synthetic material that imitates the look of real wood. It is composed of several layers: the high-density fiberboard core overlaid with a high-resolution image of wood grain and a protective layer. On the other hand, real hardwood flooring is made from 100 percent natural wood, cut directly from trees and processed into planks or strips.


Hardwood floors are known for their strength and longevity. Proper maintenance can make them serve you for numerous years hence can also be resurfaced so as to restore their original beauty. Conversely, laminate flooring is not as durable as hardwood because it cannot be restored to its initial state after being worn out. It is usually able to remain in a good condition for approximately ten or twenty years under normal circumstances.

The installation for laminate flooring is usually quicker and easier compared to hardwood. Laminate planks most often have a click-lock installation system, which means that they can be easily snapped together without much use of glue or nails. Hardwood flooring will require professional installation because it needs to be nailed or glued down and sanded and finished on the spot.

Costwise, laminate wood flooring is certainly cheaper than real wood flooring. Since this synthetic nature of wood reduces production costs, it proves to be budget-friendly. On the other hand, real wood flooring has a tendency to be costlier because of the higher cost of the raw material and the extra labor required in its manufacture and installation.

Laminate flooring and hardwood flooring each have their strengths and weaknesses.