Many people find themselves debating the use of laminate flooring versus hardwood flooring in their homes when it’s time to remodel or redecorate. There are plenty of pros and cons to using laminate flooring instead of hardwood, and the most attractive factor is the much lower price tag.
Pros
Easy Maintenance: Laminate floors are almost maintenance-free with their easy to clean surface and stain resisting properties. Since laminate is sealed so well, things such as wine, bleach and other common staining materials do not affect the flooring.
Allergy Friendly: Laminate flooring is extremely hygienic in a few different ways. Since there are no areas for dust mites to hide, or for dirt to get trapped, there are less bacteria and less dirt in general. This helps people with different kinds of indoor allergies as well as those who have low immune systems.
Design Options: Since laminate flooring is fabricated from scratch, you have a lot of options. Whether you want artificial hardwood, stone, or tile, you can certainly find it in many different colors.
Easy Install: For those of you who like to undertake home improvements on your own, laminate flooring is a great option. It is very do-it-yourself-friendly because it is so easy to install. Hardwood flooring as well as carpeting are almost impossible to install without professionals.
Cons
Not Real: Some people have a problem knowing that they have not installed real hardwood or stone flooring. If you are hoping to increase the resale value, laminate flooring does not normally affect your home’s value in one way or the other. If this is not a factor, than the price alone is worth it.
Chemicals: There are less natural materials used than in stone and hardwood flooring, so that means the amount of chemicals used it greatly increased. While it will not affect you at home, it does have a bit of an impact on the environment. But then again, so does cutting down trees to make real hardwood floors.
Noise: Laminate flooring often has a hollow sound, rather than the elegance of a hardwood floor. This can create echoing and a little bit more noise than many other flooring options.
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