Hardwood vs Laminate

[Jo Ann Meyer Stratton]

I installed laminated wood (yes the top surface is wood) in my kitchen five years ago and absolutely love it. Because my floors are concrete and because I have arthritis I had a heavy duty special pad installed under the laminated wood. Before I could only stand for about five minutes on my vinyl tile floor and I would have to go sit down. Now I can be standing on the kitchen floor for several hours without any problems. The pad also causes the sound of walking on it to be muffled--which I actually miss since I grew up with wood floors over basements. I like the sound of walking across wood floors. The only problem with it is that if something very heavy and sharp falling straight down from a distance (like the metal brace of a ceiling fan while it is being installed) will gouge a dent in the floor and then the plank has to be replaced and can't be refinished because of the laminated surface on top of the wood. A ceramic tile would have shattered, real wood floor would have been damaged but could be sanded down. But it doesn't scratch or become marred from day to day living and can be cleaned with clear water only. I am giving serious thought to installing in my living room, hallway and master bedroom so that there is a continuous flow of the natural wood grains.

 

[Couch Potato]

Ms. Swain,

My professional opinion is you should stop calling it "Wood Laminate" as it is not laminated with wood. You are talking about a floating flooring system that is basically a "Formica" like product right? You are getting buckling due to either moisture issues or it was lain without enough space between walls / door jambs, etc., for expansion and contraction.

Yes, in many areas this would be a down-grade rather than an up-grade.

Webbed.

Wood Laminate is the correct term for the stuff Alison is talking about; however, I agree far too many people confuse it with laminated wood which is an entirely different product. Laminated wood can generally be refinished at least once Jo Ann.:new_all_coholic:

 

[Webbed Feet]

Webbed .. a little harsh arent you ... Or do you know they removed Wood Laminate products from the market? I take Ms Swain at her word and given her background Im sure she knows what shes talking about. And I dont think its FORMICA for heavens sakes.
Why does this always happen? Someone has to step on someone. Not nice ... Not nice at all.

PE,

I guess I am! But products that make dogs sound like they are tap dancing are almost all the "Pergo" like products on the market. Not a product with real wood laminated on the top, but a rather a "Formica" like product laminated on the top.

Yes, there are solid hardwoods, and then products that have something on the order of a quarter inch of real hard wood laminated over softwood. But this later category normally sounds good to walk on and can be difficult to tell via walking between it and solid hardwood.

There are some very good looking plastic laminated products out. But if I had a house located in a snobby 1930's area I'd put in hardwood.

Webbed.

 

[Webbed Feet]

Mr. Potato,

Could be worse.... Could of posted "LambInAted"

Webbed.

 

[Alison Swain]

Ms. Swain,

My professional opinion is you should stop calling it "Wood Laminate" as it is not laminated with wood. You are talking about a floating flooring system that is basically a "Formica" like product right? You are getting buckling due to either moisture issues or it was lain without enough space between walls / door jambs, etc., for expansion and contraction.

Yes, in many areas this would be a down-grade rather than an up-grade.

Webbed.

Whatever. "Wood laminate" is the name (misnomer or not) to which it is commonly referred. And the "moisture issue" was specifically addressed as dog urine.

 

[Tom Barclay]

Yes, there are solid hardwoods, and then products that have something on the order of a quarter inch of real hard wood laminated over softwood. But this later category normally sounds good to walk on and can be difficult to tell via walking between it and solid hardwood.

Webbed.

What you are talking about is called engineered wood flooring. It is different than a laminate, although it is several layers running cross directional. Supposed to be much more resistant to water, and changes in humidity. Also, factory finish is much harder than can be applied on site. Some even have aluminum oxide coating for wear. Engineered flooring can even be sanded and refinished a few times.

 

[Brockway]

My preference are the real hardwoods. I spent a nice chunk of change to have pre-finished red oak floors installed in my condo a few years before I sold it. Although I do not believe I received a higher price than the condos with pergo, I know that it helped mine sell first out of the 11 listed at the time. The buyer's loved them. I will definitely spend the big bucks on the same hardwood flooring in my new house (when the market picks up and I can afford it - LOL).

Although I personally do not care for the pergo-type flooring, I have run into many homeowners who love it and would never trade it in for hardwood. I see both pergo and hardwood in the higher priced homes in my area. It's all a matter of taste.

 

[PropertyEconomics]

It's all a matter of taste.

I personally find Pergo to taste a bit more like cardboard and the foam which often sticks to its underside is ... well ... drying. As far as taste goes .. its not very palatable Dog Urine not withstanding.

 

[Richard Carlsen]

Forget both and go with tile.

 

[Ted Martin]

What's under the current flooring, if it truly is a 1930's bungalow it probably has real wood floors. Didn't say hardwood because mostly I see soft wood floors in that period of home.