In your experience, which flooring is better-wood laminate or the real deal?

I'm debating about which material to use. I have a child who is VERY rough on things, so laminate seems practical. However, the aesthetic snob in me loves a real wood floor, but I would be scared of it getting all scratched up or wet.

What kind do you have and why do you love it? Thanks! Asked by CornflakeGirl 58 months ago Similar questions: experience flooring better wood laminate real deal Home > Home Improvement.

Similar questions: experience flooring better wood laminate real deal.

Given your circumstances,real wood is your best bet There is only one way to repair laminate flooring. Remove the piece,or mor often pieces and replace them. You CANNOT sand laminate floorin,the laminate is only betweem 1/16 to 3/32 of an inch thick.So scrathes,warping or any other damage will result in a VERY nasty looking gouge.

The material under to laminate can never be made to ook t like the finished surface. Hardwood flooring is totally different. This can be sanded,touched up,filled and stained and yes,individual pieces can be removed and replaced.

I've done it hundreds of times myself,on other peoples homes. Once the finish is damaged on real hardwood,it's an easy fix. You sand(if needed) stain and recoat with lacquer or the appropriate sheen polyurethane.

You can never do that with a laminate. Hardwood all the way on this one. Laminates look fake too,even good ones.

You'll spend more on the hardwood,but the payoff comes in asthetics and added value to your home. They're also much harder than laminates,thus less prone to damage from dropping things. Sources: Master carpenter,over 20 years of experience.

BrainBuilder_is_gone's Recommendations The 2007-2012 Outlook for Wood Siding, Flooring, and Other Edge Worked Lumber Owned and Treated by the Same Establishment in the United States Amazon List Price: $495.00 Somerset Hardwood Flooring. (Manufacturer Profile). : An article from: Flooring Amazon List Price: $5.95 Wood floor trends: more exotic species, distressed looks, beveled edges and snap-together installation.

: An article from: Flooring Amazon List Price: $5.95 Whichever you decide,these should help.

I think you're right, a good wood floor is classy, but if you're thinking of installing yourself, laminate is easier. I put laminate in 4 rooms a year ago myself, I’m thrilled with how it turned out. Bought the flooring at Sams Club for $1.50 / square foot and installed ~800 ft2 myself.25 year warranty.

(Lock n Seal, uniboardsurfaces.com/) If I had an expensive home or entertained a lot and wanted to really impress I would go with wood. But for a home with children that I wanted to "live" in now, I think Laminate is a good choice. Some brands are more fragile than others, I installed a small amount of Perigo flooring, easy to break corners, get chips during installation, etc.

If you can pay for it, go with real wood floring Because it has lasted for years and years. It can be refinished many times if scratched and even that is difficult to do. But then there are reasons, beyond the traditional values, which make hard wood floors a practical and decorative preference.

Here is an overview: Straight-forward installation for those with experience: quality hard wood floors are specifically engineered to ensure a uniform and stable fit. The choice between finished and unfinished hard wood floors is an important factor in this, of course. Easy to clean: Hard wood floors are very easy to clean as they do not accumulate a lot of dirt, dust, and debris.

A weekly cleaning procedure involves vacuuming, moping and keeping the floor dry. That’s it! Gh quality look: Hard wood floors give an elegant aesthetic and high-end look.

Hard wood floors offer the warmth, beauty and value of wood and never goes out of style. Hard wood floors are also said to enable a look of spaciousness wherever they are installed. Strength and durability: gh quality hard wood floors that are kiln-dried, manufactured, installed and finished to certain standards can last for generations.

The hard wood floors are tough, hard-wearing, and have long term durability. They can stand up to active work spaces and heavy foot traffic. A Good investment: Choosing hard wood floors increases the value of your property.It is a great long-term investment and can actually become a strong resale argument, exceeding the initial installation cost of the floors.

It also enables a faster sale and brings higher prices at the time of resale. More benefits of hard wood floors: Variety: Hard wood floors offer maximum choices in appearance. There are many colors, styles, stains and species available.

An addition is a choice in the available finish that is pre-finished and unfinished hard wood floors. No matter how diverse and unique your needs are, there is always an option for you with hard wood floors. Better acoustics: A properly installed hardwood floor never gives you hollow sounds or vibrations.

Low maintenance: Hard wood floors and the floor finish are easy to keep and maintain. Healthy indoor air quality: These floors are a healthy choice for interior environments.It has no fibers, grout lines or embossing that can trap dust, pollen, particles, animal dander and allergens that occur with carpets. They are the best choice of flooring with allergy sufferers and improve air quality.

Ageless quality: When other floors will begin to look tired and worn, your hard wood floors will still look beautiful. And your hard wood floors become more valuable as time goes by. Also keep in mind that unlike carpeting and vinyl, hard wood floors can be refinished rather than replaced when the finish has worn out.

Sources: http://www.builddirect.com/Articles/ArticleDirectory/Hardwood_Articles/ad_hardwood_015.aspx .

Real wood I would use real wood. When your child gets older you can sand it down & revarnish, laminate you are stuck with any damage. Also, avoid brazilian cherry!

I had it installed 5 yrs ago in my apartment. Apparently some varieties darken with sunlight exposure. After 5 yrs I refuse to spend another 10k, but I can't move my furniture because it has lighter spots under it.

Sources: my opinion .

We live in a very old house with a beautiful hardwood floor in the living room, library and one bedroom. Hardwood floors are a little more toruble because you ahve to strip and refinish them every once in a while but would probably be more durable in your situation. I would go with the hardwood if you are ready to put in a little elbow grease every so often.

Sources: my experience .

" "I am looking for Lock n Seal Hazelnut Oak laminate flooring. They tell me it is discontinued but somebody may have it.." "Can unused laminate wood be burned? " "How do you get nailpolish off laminate flooring?

My kids spilled it and didn't tell me and now it's totally dried!" "How can I cover a nasty scratch in my laminate flooring? " "does anyone know about nexstep laminate flooring" "I need three boxes of Witex Town & Country Plus Laminate Flooring - any color will do. " "What color wall paint would look best with light color laminate flooring." "Would you put laminate flooring in a kitchen or laundry room?

I am looking for Lock n Seal Hazelnut Oak laminate flooring. They tell me it is discontinued but somebody may have it..

My kids spilled it and didn't tell me and now it's totally dried!

Does anyone know about nexstep laminate flooring.

I need three boxes of Witex Town & Country Plus Laminate Flooring - any color will do.

What color wall paint would look best with light color laminate flooring.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.