In this guide, we pitch laminate versus hardwood flooring to help you decide which option is best for your next flooring project.
Hardwood flooring has a classic feel. It is a natural material that lasts for decades and adds significant value to your home. But it is expensive, doesn’t hold up well in moist conditions, and can be difficult to maintain.
Laminate flooring is a more affordable alternative to hardwood. While it lacks prestige, and therefore the desirability in the real estate market, it is easy to install yourself and holds up much better under heavy traffic.
So, how do you decide which one is right for your next flooring project?
The answer depends entirely on what you are looking for and the specific conditions of your project.
Read our detailed side-by-side comparison of the two flooring options. It will take you through the pros and cons of each to help you determine which flooring is right for you.
Specifically, this article will cover:
Side-By-Side Comparison
| Laminate | Hardwood | |
|---|---|---|
| Make-Up/Construction | Composite made of layers of fibers in melamine, photographic layer, and coatings | Solid wood |
| Installed Cost | $ less than hardwood ($2-8) | $$$ more than laminate ($12-20) |
| Typical Locations / Use | High traffic areas and rooms like offices, bedrooms, dens, living rooms, sometimes kitchens. Not great choice in wet areas like bathrooms, but better than hardwood, and requires increased maintenance, can be used in kitchen with precautions. | Works well in most living spaces (not the best option for bathrooms, engineered wood is a better choice). Not recommended for areas below ground level. |
| Durability | Good scratch and abrasion resistance, cannot be refinished rated AC1 to AC6 some say will only last ten years | Scratches easily from things like pet claws but can be refinished multiple times. Heavy foot traffic may cause noticeable wear patterns. |
| Cleaning | Easy to clean, soap and water, should clean spills immediately and do not let water stand for extended periods | Keep water exposure low and apply oil treatment when needed. |
| Limitations | Standing or extended periods of exposure to liquid water | Not ideal for slab foundations without a vapor barrier or for wet areas |
| Finish | Prefinished at factory, photo in clear resin based coating | Can be stained or coated with a clear finish, either on-site or at the factory |
| Installation | Floating floor, adhered - easier and is often labeled as DIY friendly | Installation methods include nailing, floating, or gluing - generally considered difficult to install |
| Thickness | 1/4 in. (6 mm) to 1/2 in. (12 mm) | 3/4 in. (5/16 in. is also available) |
| Edge Connection | Locking tongue and groove that "snap" together | Spline, shiplap, butt, tongue in groove |
| Dimensional Stability | Is more dimensionally stable with changes in humidity than hardwood and less requirements for expansion joints | Expands when humidity is high, which can cause cupping. Shrinks in low humidity. Some planks have grooves on the back (absorption strips) to help prevent cupping |
| Expansion Joints | 40 ft. run max., and need 5/16 to 3/8 in. perimeter joints, t strips at doors and on large floors | Need 3/4 perimeter joints, about 10 x 12 is max, and on larger floor "dime" or "washer" gaps in center of large floors, can also use splines in center to reverse direction of grain, on maple gym floors 3, 6 or 10 ft. exp. Joints |
| On Site Conditioning | Acclimate 1 to 3 days onsite, some products not as sensitive to humidity as hardwood | Needs at least three days of acclimation. Moisture testing is essential to check the moisture levels of the subfloor. |
| Sunlight | UV inhibitor in top coat | Sections exposed to sunlight and covered areas (like those under rugs) may fade at different rates. |
| Resale | Surprised to find some realtors stating that quality laminate is desirable and helps to sell homes | Some people see it as a high-end flooring option that increases property value. |
| Radiant Heat | Yes | No |
| Flooring Guide | Laminate Flooring Guide | Hardwood Flooring Guide |
Laminate vs. Solid Hardwood Flooring: Comparison Across 10 Factors
1. Composition
One of the most obvious differences between hardwood and laminate flooring is the composition. The plank materials, finish, thicknesses, and edge geometry all differ.
A. Materials And Thickness
Hardwood is a natural product. The manufacturer cuts the boards from a larger piece of wood and shapes it into the final size.
Each board is a solid piece of wood, often three-quarters of an inch thick, although a thinner five-sixteenths inch option is available.
In contrast, laminate flooring is a manufactured product. It is a composite with a finish applied at the factory. Typically, it is one-quarter to one-half inch thick. It is made up of multiple layers such as:
- A backing that serves as a stabilizing layer, often made of melamine, and serves to provide water resistance as well as dimensional stability to the board.
- A core that is usually made with fiber board, and is the thickest layer.
- A photographic layer that is embedded into a coating.
- A clear resin top coat containing aluminum oxide, which provides scratch, UV, and wear resistance to the flooring.
B. Edge Geometry
Hardwood planks will normally have an overlapping edge treatment, such as tongue and groove or shiplap, so the board edges overlap and interlock.
This allows the planks to expand and contract while providing resistance to warping or working loose. But in some instances, such as in older homes, you will find planks of hardwood with plain edges that are simply butted together.
Laminate flooring is usually supplied with specialized tongues and grooves that click together to hold the seams snug. Another system you might see is a special clip that is installed between the laminate floor boards to hold the planks tight to one another.
Most consider the snap together edges to be more user-friendly than the nailing, stapling, and gluing used when installing hardwood flooring.
Also, you will find prefinished hardwood often comes with edges that are slightly beveled at the top of the plank, to provide a small V between boards. Aesthetically, this provides a shadow line and adds a feeling of dimension to the floor, but some do not like it and feel it is a dirt magnet. In reality, the small bevels are there because prefinished hardwood is not sanded after it is laid and the V gap created by the tiny bevels helps to hide small but visible differences in board thickness.
C. Finish
The manufacturer supplies laminate flooring with the wood grain and color using a photograph of stained wood embedded in a clear coating. You select a particular product you like, and then you simply install it at the site, no finishing necessary.
You can also buy hardwood prefinished with stain and a clear finish. But unlike laminate flooring, hardwood planks can be sold without any cover or finish. People install and sand the unfinished hardwood floor. Then they apply the color and finish at the job site in a very labor-intensive, and not so DIY-friendly, process. (Also Read: How to Clean Unfinished Wood Floors)
So, you need to decide whether you want to use prefinished flooring (laminate or hardwood) or a site-installed hardwood finish on your project. Consider the construction site and if dust reduction or clean working conditions are important.
If so, then a prefinished hardwood or laminate floor is a good choice since you are eliminating dust from sanding. You are also eliminating odors from stains and finishes.
Do you need a custom floor for your unique interior design? Then an unfinished hardwood floor is a good choice. You can mix your stain to achieve that precise color you or your designer picked, and select a finish to get the perfect sheen.
Also, for those who do not like the V’s created by the microbevels of prefinished hardwood, unfinished hardwood is supplied without bevels since it is sanded flat on site before the finish is applied.
2. Underlayment
An underlayment is a sheet good normally supplied in a roll, and it is simply cut to size and installed on the subfloor prior to laying your floor. There are a number of different underlayments and they provide a number of functions such as easier installation, subfloor gap bridging, moisture protection, sound deadening, and cushioning. Many hardwood and laminate floor installations will require an underlayment.
It is important to select the proper underlayment, especially when moisture is a concern, and you should follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. (For example, with slabs-on-ground it is often vital to pick an underlayment to protect the flooring from water vapor emitted from the concrete slab.) The laminate and hardwood manufacturers are keenly aware of the importance of the underlayment. They provide detailed guidelines on what underlayment you need for specific situations.
They do not recommend hardwood below grade, even with high-end underlayments. So that fancy rumpus room in the basement is probably not appropriate for hardwood flooring. However, some people use laminate flooring below grade, but the concrete slab must have a vapor retarder underneath. You must carefully select the underlayment you use on top of the concrete.
Another option on the market comes from the laminate manufacturers who offer products with a “cushioning” underlayment on the bottom of the boards. This additional feature speeds and simplifies the installation of some laminate floors.
3. Installation
Laminate flooring is straightforward and people often call it DIY-friendly. Yes, you do need some special tools (e.g. a tap block and pull bar), but the tools are widely available and they are inexpensive. Most homeowners can handle the click-together tongue and groove floor.
One question some homeowners have about laminate flooring regards the cutting of the boards. Most people cut the laminate planks with standard wood saws (hand or power), but use a fine-tooth blade for a smooth cut. You do not want to chip the top layer, which contains the embedded photograph of finished wood.
Hardwood is typically best installed by experts. It needs knowledge of wood moisture levels, sanding equipment, and other detailed steps. Plus, homeowners usually don’t have the specialized pneumatic staplers or nailers for installation, though they can be rented. The installer must also know when and how to add expansion joints, like “washer” or “dime” joints, to prevent buckling, depending on the wood type.
Speaking of expansion joints, both hardwood and laminate flooring need a small gap at walls and other solid objects to allow for movement. In most smaller rooms in residential settings, you don’t need extra expansion joints.
But in larger rooms, laminate floors may need expansion joints in the middle. Check the instructions for your specific flooring to know where and when you need them.
4. General Durability
Those familiar with old houses in New England know hardwood floors last. Laminate flooring has not been on the market as long as hardwood flooring, so a comparison based on who has the oldest floor still in use is not possible. However, there are still some general arguments we can make regarding both flooring materials.
Dropped items will dent both hardwood and laminate floors, but hardwood floors can be repaired more easily than a laminate floor. You can replace a damaged plank, or sections, of laminate flooring but it is difficult and from a do-it-yourself job.
Hardwood floors can wear out more quickly in high-traffic areas. This depends on the wood type, and some woods, like hickory, are harder and more durable than others, like white pine. Laminate flooring has a tough top layer, usually offering better resistance to wear than hardwood. (Also Read: Pros & Cons of Oak Flooring vs Maple & Hickory Flooring)
Another durability issue is fading. Hardwood fades at different speeds depending on sunlight, and sometimes this creates a desirable look over time. However, fading can be a problem with hardwood floors if areas under carpets fade differently or if sunlight causes uneven fading patterns.
Laminate flooring has a protective top coat formulated to provide UV protection and fade resistance. Fading problems are not as pronounced when compared to their hardwood counterparts.
5. Scratching And Abrasion
The coating applied on top of laminate flooring contains aluminum oxide, which is hard and durable, and this also adds abrasion and scratch resistance. This makes laminate a great flooring options for those who have pets, since cats and dogs often scratch hardwood floors.
Laminate floor manufacturers go so far as to rate their “abrasion class” (“AC”) on a scale from one to six, and a higher number means higher abrasion resistance. (In general, a rating of one through three are residential grade, one being light traffic and three high traffic. Four through six are commercial grade, again light to high traffic.)
So, things can scratch it, but in general, laminate flooring resists traffic wear and scratching better than hardwood.
Hardwood is, not to be too obvious, hard wood, but it is still susceptible to scratching and abrasion. If scratching and abrasion are concern, select the hardest hardwood your budget allows. And one advantage scratched hardwood has over scratched laminate is that you can sand and refinish hardwood a number of times.
6. Humidity
An increase in humidity causes hardwood to swell, creating stress in the plane of the floor that can cause planks to rise and twist (called buckling or tenting and can create a tripping hazard). A decrease in humidity will cause hardwood to shrink, and can open large gaps between planks.
To minimize these problems, hardwood flooring must be acclimated by letting it rest at the construction site for a minimum of three days in opened boxes, and often longer.
Also, the moisture level must be measured with a meter to confirm the moisture content is appropriate. The acclimation and testing steps are vital to prevent large gaps or buckling and lifting of hardwood floors caused by changes in the humidity.
The necessary moisture level depends on the expected temperature and humidity. It seems a bit complicated, but there are charts to aid in determining the moisture content for your wood (it is usually somewhere between six to nine percent as measured with a pin meter).
You should also acclimate laminate floors to site conditions. But that is for a shorter one to three days.
Compared to hardwood, quality laminate flooring is less affected by changes in humidity, which do not affect quality laminate flooring as much. That is because of its layered construction (just like plywood is less likely to cup because of its layers) and locking edges that prevent boards from separating.
But laminate flooring quality does vary. You should test the moisture content of the core layer of some products. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use the test they recommend to meet the results they require.
7. Water
Liquid water is the sworn enemy of many interior building materials. That is the case with laminate and hardwood flooring.
Use in a kitchen, bathroom, mud room, basement or other wet areas is possible. But it is tricky and you need to take special precautions. It depends on whether you use laminate or hardwood flooring.
The coating on top of most laminate flooring does not develop milky spots or hazing with drips or splashes. That can happen with some of the conventional finishes people apply to hardwood.
Also, because installers do not nail or staple down laminate floors, they float. You can place a waterproofing membrane under your floor to protect your subfloor. It will also protect your insulation, joists, and everything else under your bathroom floor.
Many “experts” caution against hardwood in a bathroom or wet areas. You should never use it below grade.
Installers usually nail or staple down hardwood floors. That defeats the purpose of a waterproofing membrane that people use in many wet areas, like bathrooms.
Also, problems like water staining or hazing of the finish and buckling due to swelling from water are difficult to prevent with hardwood.
8. Wet Area Use
Some use water-resistant laminate flooring in bathrooms or other wet areas. However, standing water can penetrate the plank joints, and expose a wood-based layer to liquid water for extended periods. This may cause swelling of the planks and buckling of the floor, as well as deterioration of the core.
When using laminates in a bathroom, you may want to consider a laminate floor designed for wet environments. Specialized laminate flooring with a PVC core is available.
You can use it in wet environments since plastic replaces the susceptible fiberboard core. Also, look for products with a waxed edge that acts as a positive sealant between boards when snapped together.
When you spill or drip water onto a laminate floor, remove it as fast as possible. It is important to use shower mats and promptly remove spills and splashes to prevent standing water if you use laminate flooring in a bathroom.
People install both laminate and hardwood floors in kitchens. But you should mop up and clean spills or drips as they occur.
Water or other liquids left on hardwood floors will induce swelling and buckling of planks, as well as staining and clouding of some finishes. When water or other liquids are left on laminate floors, stain resistance is good but the planks may swell and lift, or the fiberboard core may deteriorate.
Also Read:
9. Cleaning
Here’s an important note: don’t use a steam mop or a wet mop on either laminate or hardwood floors. Water can seep into the seams and cause damage to both types. So, always be careful to keep water away from the joints, and clean with a damp (not wet) cloth or mop.
The basic cleaning method for laminate or hardwood floors follows a “keep it simple” approach. Sweep or vacuum regularly to get rid of dust, dirt, and debris, which can cause scratches.
Sweep or move the hardwood vacuum in the direction of the boards to clean out debris between the planks. Then, wipe with a damp cloth or mop.
As for specifics for hardwood:
- Use a cleaner or soap suggested by the manufacturer if needed.
- Clean and buff in the direction of the wood grain.
- After cleaning, buff with a microfiber towel or a cloth diaper.
And for laminate:
- If needed, use soap made specifically for laminate or as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Never use wax, pine scented cleaners, degreasers, wood oils, etc. on laminate as these can damage the resin-based coating.
- A damp microfiber towel used as a cleaning cloth may help to eliminate streaks.
10. Cost
Everyone has a budget, and the cost of laminate and hardwood floors can vary greatly. Generally, hardwood flooring costs about twice that of laminate.
But this will depend on the type of wood or laminate you choose. There are also price ranges quoted in the market for installed floors. They show an installed hardwood may be in the range of three times as much.
But prices do vary quite a bit, for example one website states a typical range of two to eight dollars for installed laminate flooring, and twelve to twenty dollars per square foot for installed hardwood floors.
If you have a tight budget, laminate is usually the cheaper option. However, if you really want hardwood, the extra cost might be worth it.
FAQs
When it comes to value, prestige, and longevity, laminate flooring is simply not as good as hardwood. But if you are looking for something affordable, easy to clean and maintain, and that is durable, laminate flooring is a good choice. Advances in manufacturing also mean that laminate planks look more like authentic hardwood than ever.
Hardwood flooring adds value to your home because it is a desirable flooring that feels warm and natural underfoot. It also lasts a lifetime. Hardwood floors can last more than 100 years and can be resurfaced several times to give them a new lease on life. But these floors are expensive, difficult to maintain, and can easily become scratched and damaged by pet paws or humid conditions.
Laminate flooring only has a lifespan of about 10 years, so it doesn’t add value to your home. But while you have the floors, they are easy to clean and maintain, highly scratch-resistant, and hold up better in varying temperatures and moisture conditions than hardwood floors.
How Much Cheaper Is Laminate Than Hardwood?
Just looking at the flooring material itself, depending on the type of wood, hardwood floors can cost three times as much as laminate flooring. But hardwood floors are also more expensive in terms of installation. While a competent DIY warrior should be able to install laminate floors with ease, hardwood floors normally require professional installation.
But, while hardwood floors will certainly cost you more upfront, they can be a superior investment in the long-term. Laminate floors have an average lifespan of just 10 years, while hardwood floors can last 100 years, and can be resurfaced several times to refresh the floor.
Hardwood floors are also desirable on the real estate market, so can add significant value to your home. The same cannot be said of laminate flooring.
Which Is More Durable, Laminate Or Engineered Hardwood?
Laminate flooring tends to be a bit more durable than engineered hardwood. This is because laminate has a scratch-resistant layer designed specifically for that purpose, while engineered hardwood features a genuine wood veneer.
That said, engineered hardwood can actually hold up better than laminate in wet conditions or when temperature changes.
Does Laminate Flooring Devalue A Home?
Laminate floors will not devalue your home, but it will not add the same value to your home as genuine hardwood or even engineered hardwood floors.
Laminate floors have a relatively short lifespan of about 10 years, which means that buyers will probably expect to have to replace laminate floors fairly soon. This compares with a 100-year lifespan for hardwood floors, and a 30- to 40-year lifespan for engineered wood.
Hardwood is also a prestigious material that is considered highly desirable by the property market. And, while laminate manufacturing techniques mean that laminate floors now look great, there is still a bit of a stigma about laminate when it comes to resale.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Laminate Flooring?
The main disadvantage of laminate flooring is that it has a relatively short lifespan of just 10 years. And, while it is scratch-resistant, no floor is completely scratch-proof. Once it is damaged, the floor needs to be replaced—there is no way to resurface the floor. For these reasons, laminate flooring does not add value to your home.
Laminate flooring can also be a less attractive alternative to some other affordable flooring options because it does not do well in moist areas. For example, Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring is a much better choice for the bathroom than laminate.
The main disadvantage of laminate flooring is that it has a relatively short lifespan of just 10 years. And, while it is scratch-resistant, no floor is completely scratch-proof. Once it is damaged, the floor needs to be replaced—there is no way to resurface the floor. For these reasons, laminate flooring does not add value to your home.
Laminate flooring can also be a less attractive alternative to some other affordable flooring options because it does not do well in moist areas. For example, Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring is a much better choice for the bathroom than laminate.
Do Engineered Wood Floors Scratch Easily?
The top layer of engineered wood flooring is made from genuine hardwood, which means that it will scratch and scuff just as easily as hardwood layers of the same wood variety.
The advantage of engineered wood flooring is that the manufacturing style means that the planks are more stable and are less likely to warp in moist conditions or when temperatures fluctuate. The planks can also be manufactured with tongue and groove installation systems, which means they are simpler and more affordable to install.
What Is The Best Flooring For The Money?
It is impossible to say which flooring offers the best value for money, as it depends on where you plan to install it. For example, while hardwood flooring adds the most long-term value to your home, it will quickly be ruined if it is installed in a wet bathroom or a living area with big dogs with long claws.
Getting the best value for your flooring investment comes down to understanding your project and then choosing the most suitable floor to fit your needs.
What Is The Most Scratch-Resistant Wood Flooring?
If you are looking for genuine hardwood floors that are the most durable and least likely to scratch, consider a wood such as hickory, which is highly durable. This is because slow-growing provides dense wood. For example, hickory takes five times longer to grow than oak.
Reclaimed heart pine can also be a good choice, as it has a similar slow growth rate and therefore high density. However, the species was logged to near extinction at the start of the 20th century, so it is now only available as reclaimed wood.
Bamboo is also a wood alternative that is hard and durable and won’t scratch easily with regular use.
The Verdict
So, which floor is better, hardwood or laminate? The answer depends on the nature of your flooring project.
If you are thinking about long-term investment, hardwood has the edge. Once installed, it can last for 100 years and can be resurfaced several times to give it a new lease on life. It also adds significant value to your home and can boost your resale value when you decide to sell.
Wood also has a warm and authentic feeling, and there are hundreds of different options available in terms of colors, finishes, and textures,
But hardwood floors are expensive and challenging to install, which adds additional expense, and can be difficult to maintain. They don’t always do well in high-traffic areas or places where usage is likely to cause scuffs and scratches.
While laminate flooring has had a bad reputation in the past, improvements in manufacturing mean that you can now get good-quality laminate flooring that looks like authentic hardwood at a fraction of the price.
This flooring is very easy to care for and highly scratch-resistant, which means it does better than hardwood in high-traffic areas of homes with pets. While it shouldn’t be exposed to too much water, it is also a better choice for installing in damp areas of the home than hardwood.
But laminate flooring only has a lifespan of about 10 years and won’t add any value to your home. So, while it can make a great, attractive floor for you and your family, it is not the same kind of long-term investment as hardwood.
So, that is the low-down on these two flooring options. Which is best for you depends on you.
Do you have experience installing hardwood or laminate flooring? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments section or via our social media.
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