Difference Between Laminate and Wood Flooring

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Laminate vs Wood Flooring

Building a house is not easy. There are so many aspects to look into; from walls, bathroom fittings to furniture, everything must be perfect. Flooring is one such important aspect that needs exquisite care when it comes to constructing a house. Laminate flooring and wood flooring are two such important flooring types often used in the world of construction today.

What is Laminate Flooring?

Referred to as the floating wood tile in the United States, laminate flooring is a popular flooring product where several layers of synthetic flooring have been fused together with a lamination process. Often simulating a stone or wood, laminate flooring consists of a clear protective layer under which a photographic appliqué layer can be seen. The inner core layer of laminate flooring is comprised of fibre board materials and melamine resin. It is a requirement according to European Standard No. EN 13329:2000 that laminate floor coverings must be subjected to appropriate testing methods and that it must comply to certain quality standards.

Laminate flooring is quite popular due to its low cost, ease of installing and maintaining. They are also quite durable compared to other flooring methods available out there and are known to be hygienic, as well.

What is Wood Flooring?

Wood flooring is a durable, environmental friendly type of flooring that is fashioned out of timber for aesthetic or structural purposes. Bamboo flooring too falls under the category of wood flooring although it is made from a grass rather than timber. There are many types of wood floorings. Solid wood flooring, hardwood flooring, rotary-peel, sliced peel and engineered flooring are some types of wood flooring available under the category. There are many methods of putting together wood flooring. In some cases, several layers of planks of wood are often adhered together with the grain of each ply running perpendicular to the ply below. Types of wood that have little or no reaction to climatic conditions is used in this type of flooring in order to ensure durability. Some types of flooring are constructed from little pieces of wood that are milled together to run perpendicular to the top layer thereby running parallel to the lamella. In some cases, the core is made up of medium or high-density fibreboard.

What is the difference between Laminate and Wood Flooring?

When it comes to flooring, certain flooring types can be difficult to tell apart. Laminate and wood flooring are two such types of similar looking flooring with very different structures. Knowing the differences between laminate and wood flooring may aid those in search of the perfect flooring option to choose what best fit their needs.

• Laminate flooring is a flooring product where several layers of synthetic flooring has been fused together with a lamination process. Wooden flooring is a flooring product where the floorboards are made out of timber.

• Laminate flooring makes use of fibre board materials and melamine resin. Wood flooring mainly uses timber, but products such as bamboo too are often used here.

• Laminate flooring is more cost effective and easier to maintain than wood flooring.

• Wood flooring is more environmental friendly than laminate flooring.

• Hardwood flooring can be guaranteed to last a lifetime whereas laminate flooring can only be used for 10-15 years.

• Appearance wise, wood flooring is more elegant than laminate flooring.