Is Laminate Considered Hardwood

Laminate flooring and engineered wood flooring are two obvious choices if you want a flooring that looks like solid hardwood but at a more affordable price.

Is laminate considered hardwood.

Still in order to preserve the beauty of the floor for many years to come it is important to quickly clean up all spills and clean the floor regularly. Both floor coverings were developed as economical and versatile alternatives to that mainstay of flooring material solid hardwood flooring. While some hardwood floors are being tailored for the diy market laminate which is considered simpler to install has long been viewed as the go. However some finished laminate floors have a matte or low sheen top coat and some bare flooring.

However a poor quality model can bring down a property s value. The boards usually 3 4 inch thick are generally milled with a smooth top surface and tongue and groove edges that interlock to hold the boards together. This layer is then topped with synthetic fiberboards for strength. Should you choose laminate or hardwood.

A photographic layer goes above the fiberboards creating the design. Inspect the floor for a glossy sheen. Engineered hardwoods come in almost any species and color. This material is considered an economic choice so it doesn t do much to impress appraisers or prospective home buyers.

Solid hardwood flooring as the name suggests is comprised of flooring boards that are solid hardwood material through and through. Laminates do offer a bonus for handy homeowners. For many years laminate was considered to be a cheaper less durable alternative to hardwood. Times have changed and while laminates may not last as long as solid hardwoods they are more durable and attractive than ever making a choice between the two materials difficult.

A high sheen level usually indicates a protective finish. The bottom layer is called the stabilizing layer which is designed to resist moisture. Laminate floors have a relatively short life span as compared to hardwood. Resistance solid hardwood floors are vulnerable to water or heat.

At most high quality laminate can moderately raise a home s value. Laminate flooring hardly adds real estate value to a home although considered better than some traditional floorings such as carpet and vinyl. Laminate floors are made of several layers of durable materials.