Home Improvement - Laminate Vs Hardwood Flooring
47443
Home & Family > Home Improvement
Oct 10, 2007
matth02
Home Improvement - Laminate Vs Hardwood Flooring
There's no doubt about it: hardwood floors are elegant and beautiful. But, they aren't always the best choice for a busy household. First, hardwood can be very expensive, depending on the plank size and grain chosen. They also aren't always as durable as the newer laminate options now available. With today's high-quality laminate flooring rivaling many traditional hardwoods in many homes; it is becoming more and more difficult for some homeowners to decide which to choose when instilling new flooring. Both have their good points, and bad, according to the experts at Bruce Flooring. Here are some of the pros and cons of each: Hardwood: While hardwood remains the most popular options for higher-end homes due to its appearance and reputation, it does have a few drawbacks for some homeowners, especially those with pets and small children. While hardwood improves with age, is long lasting, and increases a home's value more than laminate flooring, it does often scratch in high traffic areas and from pet nails, offers limited options in below grade stock and is not recommended for bathrooms and other high-humidity areas such as basements. It is also hard to transition from hardwood to other flooring materials such as tile and carpet. The good news about hardwood is that it looks better with age; can be recoated fairly easily when worn (no need to replace it), and is easy to care for and maintain. Laminate Flooring: In comparison, laminate flooring is a much less expensive alternative than hardwood, provides an extremely realistic look of wood, tile or stone; is very durable and quite easy to install - even for a beginner. It also provides an easy transition from other flooring materials, is child and pet friendly, made of recycled materials for a more earth-friendly flooring options and lasts for 15-30 years. The downside to laminate flooring is its inability to be recoated or refinished when it finally begins to show wear and tear and an inability to replace just one or two boards as is the case with hardwood, which can be sanded and stained to match older pieces. It also adds less value to your home than traditional hardwood and can often make a hollow sound when walked on if not installed properly. Whether you are looming for the grandeur of traditional hardwood flooring, or the durability of today's less expensive laminate flooring options, the fact remains that today's homeowner has more choices in flooring options than ever before. Which you choose really depends on your style; lifestyle and budget more than the quality or availability of products.
Want To Own a Website? Get Your Own Successful Adsense Templates Network at http://eWebCreator.com. Adsense Ready Website with eWebCreator.com
send email to matth02
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
Whether we want to admit it, or not, the money we have (or don't have), has the tendency to run our lives. It controls where we live; the job we have; the friends we choose; and may even control whether or not we feel happy and content.
Category:
Leadership and teamwork often go hand in hand. Teamwork requires leadership with vision of a clear goal, a flow of strong communication and the inspiration and drive to get the job done.
Category:
There's no doubt about it: hardwood floors are elegant and beautiful. But, they aren't always the best choice for a busy household.
Category:
Today's lifestyle is a hectic one. Rushing from place to place and activity to activity is considered normal. But what effect does it have on the mind and body?
Category:
Fifty years ago, the average worker didn't need to worry about saving for his retirement. If he stayed with the same company for 20, 25 or 30 years, he was guaranteed a pension.
Category:
Filing bankruptcy can be overwhelming. Suddenly you're thrust into a world of legal terms and mounds of paperwork you can barely understand.
Category:
Stress was created to help the human body get through life's turbulence. When danger is sensed, the body's natural "fight or flight" response kicks in, as a way to prepare itself for battle. The adrenal glands kick into action, flooding the bloodstream wi
Category:
It's sad, but true. The air we breathe is dirty and getting dirtier. Even the air in our homes can be hazardous to our health.
Category:
Taking good care of your skin doesn't have to be complicated, if you know what products are available, and how to use them properly. But, first you need to know what type of skin you have:
Category:
Imagine setting out on a cross-country car trip with no itinerary, no maps, no money and no source of help. Jumping in the car, and heading across the country with no direction and no planning may sound like fun (and it might be for awhile), but what happ
Category:
Wouldn't it be wonderful to renovate your home and let someone else pay for it? In many circumstances you can do just that!
Category:
If increasing the value of your home is a main consideration when remodeling, there are a few things to consider. First, consider whether or not the scale of he project you are considering will generate enough profit-potential for your area.
Category:
Everyone needs life insurance, especially if you own a home or have a family. It's a way to ensure that those who depend on you financially will have what they need in the event of your death.
Category:
Who hasn't bought a good budget book and ledger with every intention of setting up the perfect household budget, only to throw it in the trash a few days or weeks later?
Category:
Leadership and teamwork often go hand in hand. Teamwork requires leadership with vision of a clear goal, a flow of strong communication and the inspiration and drive to get the job done.
Category:
Filing bankruptcy doesn't mean that you can never have credit again. As a matter of fact, the point of filing bankruptcy in the first place is to help people who have made disastrous financial decisions in the past, learn from their mistakes and move on.
Category:
We have all heard it said, There is room for improvement. Leadership is no exception. Effectiveness of knowledge in leadership is a key component.
Category:
Everyone feels stress. It's a part of life. But when daily stressors become so overwhelming that they begin to manifest themselves in physical, emotional or behavioral problems, and then stress overload may be the culprit.
Category:
Whether you're a manager at work or a leader of some organization, getting people to do what you want and need, can often seem like a daunting task. But it doesn't have to be.
Category:
Home air purifying systems are all the rage these days. While they may seem to be a modern-day trend, they've really been in use for hundreds of years in one way or another.
Category:
Other links at Home & Family > Home Improvement
Cedar is a popular material used for building roofs. The reason why cedar would be any architect's first choice for rooftops is very simple. Cedar has the natural property of resistance against moisture that avoids the roof to wear off easily.
Category:
Buying a hot tub spa is a major investment and a decision not to be taken lightly. One of the factors that is often overlooked is the installation. Getting the right hot tub spa contractor can be crucial to the process. Getting the very finest and most ex
Category:
Some homeowners do not realize how simple it is to upgrade the home with some exterior surfaces home improvement projects. There are certain additions that will improve the appearance and make the home more energy efficient.
Category:
Four benefits you will enjoy from solar powered fans including lower electric bills, more energy conserved and a convenient fan suitable for all environments
Category:
What steps should a homeowner follow in the process of installing decking?
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68285
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
