Is Laminate Considered Hardwood

Laminate flooring and engineered wood flooring are two obvious choices if you want a flooring that looks like solid hardwood but at a more affordable price.

Is laminate considered hardwood.

However a poor quality model can bring down a property s value. Should you choose laminate or hardwood. Laminates do offer a bonus for handy homeowners. This layer is then topped with synthetic fiberboards for strength.

Laminate flooring hardly adds real estate value to a home although considered better than some traditional floorings such as carpet and vinyl. The bottom layer is called the stabilizing layer which is designed to resist moisture. Because there is a wood layer at the top it is more prone to scratches and showing basic wear and tear and requires a hardwood care and maintenance regimen. Solid hardwood flooring as the name suggests is comprised of flooring boards that are solid hardwood material through and through.

This material is considered an economic choice so it doesn t do much to impress appraisers or prospective home buyers. Laminate floors have a relatively short life span as compared to hardwood. For many years laminate was considered to be a cheaper less durable alternative to hardwood. While some hardwood floors are being tailored for the diy market laminate which is considered simpler to install has long been viewed as the go.

Laminate floors are made of several layers of durable materials. At most high quality laminate can moderately raise a home s value. Still in order to preserve the beauty of the floor for many years to come it is important to quickly clean up all spills and clean the floor regularly. A photographic layer goes above the fiberboards creating the design.

Engineered hardwoods come in almost any species and color. Times have changed and while laminates may not last as long as solid hardwoods they are more durable and attractive than ever making a choice between the two materials difficult. The boards usually 3 4 inch thick are generally milled with a smooth top surface and tongue and groove edges that interlock to hold the boards together. Inspect the floor for a glossy sheen.

Most hardwood floors have excellent resistance to coca cola red wine and many household chemicals. Both floor coverings were developed as economical and versatile alternatives to that mainstay of flooring material solid hardwood flooring. Resistance solid hardwood floors are vulnerable to water or heat.