Is hardwood flooring cheaper than laminate?
A lot of homeowners take flooring into account when making changes in their home decor. Choosing between hardwood flooring and laminate can be difficult since they are both popular flooring options. To make this choice, many people lean into the total cost of each flooring material. But is hardwood flooring cheaper than laminate — or vice versa? Let’s break it down.
1. Material Cost
On the surface, laminate flooring is typically always cheaper to purchase than hardwood flooring.
Laminate flooring is composed of several layers of synthetic material that mimic the look of wood flooring. On the other hand, the material cost for hardwood flooring is more expensive because it comes from trees.
On top of this, the amount of hardwood flooring needed to cover an area is typically higher than the amount of laminate flooring needed (due to the differences in plank size). Thus, the total cost for hardwood flooring is more expensive.
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2. Installation
When compared to hardwood, laminate flooring is typically more affordable to install. This is because laminate planks easily snap together to form a floating floor above the subfloor, eliminating the need for nails or adhesives.
With hardwood flooring, installation can be more complex, which can increase the labor costs. In some cases, hardwood flooring may also require the installation of underlayment, further driving up the costs.
3. Maintenance
In the long run, maintaining hardwood flooring is more expensive than laminate flooring. Hardwood flooring requires regular cleaning, refinishing, and polishing which has to be done professionally. Refinishing hardwood floors involves sanding it down to its original bare state before resealing and polishing it. This process is typically necessary every 7 to 10 years. Laminate flooring, on the other hand, does not require professional refinishing. All that is needed is regular cleaning with a damp mop.
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4. Durability
Although hardwood flooring is more expensive to install and maintain than laminate flooring, it lasts much longer. Hardwood floors can last up to 50 years or more when adequately maintained and refinished. Laminate flooring can last between 25-30 years if it’s appropriately installed and taken care of. But in high traffic areas and homes with children and pets, laminate flooring may need to be replaced more frequently.
5. Resale Value
Hardwood flooring often adds more value and appeal to a home than laminate flooring. A home with hardwood flooring is more attractive to buyers and can increase the resale value of a home. Laminate flooring does not add the same premium value to a home. Although it may be cheaper to install initially, it may detract from the overall value of the home on the market.