Research by 1926 Wood Flooring has revealed that lots of people are searching online to discover which is better: real or laminate flooring?
In response to this, 1926 Flooring has produced information to help people come to a decision about the best type of flooring to suit their situation.
When deciding on a flooring material for your home, it can be difficult to choose between laminate flooring and real wood. Here are some facts about each of these to help make an informed decision:
Real Wood Flooring
Also called solid wood flooring, this type of surface is 100% real wood, with no extras other than paint or varnish, if you require them.
Advantages
For capturing that authentic look, nothing beats real wood flooring.
Solid wood floors can be sanded to remove any scratches or scuff marks. This means that they last longer than laminate, asthe surface can be restoredseveral times during the course of its life.
Real wood flooring can also be varnished and painted to match the decor of your room each time you redecorate.
Disadvantages
As real wood flooring consists solely of natural wood, it can expand and contract depending on levels of humidity in the air. This means that you should leave a small gap around the edge of wood flooring to allow for any expansion.
On particularly cold frosty days, you may find your flooring has unsightly gaps between the planks in draughty rooms.
Conversely, on days with high levels of humidity you may find the wood has buckled. This buckling can result in severe damage if you have not left enough space to accommodate it.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring consists of melamine resin fused with layers of fibre board, which simulate the appearance of real wood, stone or any other kind of flooring.
Advantages
This type of flooring is great if you’re on a budget. Generally it’s cheaper than real wood flooring (starting at around £10 per metre,) but is a bit of a compromise if you’re looking for an authentic finish.
If you have small children, laminate flooring is an excellent option as it is very easy to clean; dirt and moisture can simply be wiped away and the flooring won’t be discoloured by chemicals in household cleaning products.
This kind of flooring is resistant to scratches, so it a fairly robust option. Laminate will also not absorb moisture, which can be a problem with real wood flooring, so it can be laid anywhere, even areas in the home which experience varying levels of humidity, such as the kitchen. Some laminates as so resistant they can even be laid in the bathroom.
Disadvantages
As laminate flooring is made from several layers of man-made fibre, it is impossible to sand it down should it get damaged. This means the only option for dealing with imperfections that may occur in the laminate, such as cracks, is to replace it entirely. Also, if you want to change the appearance of your flooring, the only option is to buy an entirely new floor.
Engineered Wood Flooring
This type of flooring is made by layering different types of wood and then finishing off each section with a veneer of the wood of your choice. It’s the ‘best of both worlds option’.
Advantages
This gives the appearances of a real wood floor, with a price tag similar to that of laminate. Also like laminate this type of flooring does not have the same problems with moisture as solid wood, so it can be laid anywhere in the home.
Disadvantages
Like laminate this kind of flooring can’t be sanded down, re-finished or repaired, as the veneer on top is only a relatively thin layer.
To view 1926 Trading’s extensive ranges of real wood and laminate flooring, please visit the website,