Laminate Flooring vs Wood Flooring

"Should I install laminate or wood flooring for my home?"

This is one common question many home owners will ask their interior designers. Rule of thumb, if the owner is looking at getting more design outlook for the home & at a affordable pricing, laminate floor may be the choice. If the renovation budget is high and the owner prefers solid wood feel, then he or she can consider wood flooring.

Laminate flooring comes in a variety of designs, colors and ranges. Good quality laminate flooring manufacturers will usually produce laminate floorings plank with unique patented designs so that the home will stand out uniquely from the rest. Laminate flooring is easy and faster to be installed than wood flooring. It usually takes an experienced installer about a day to complete a typical 4 room HDB flat. Good quality laminate floors are scratch resistant and easy to maintain. All you need to do is some light sweeping and dry mopping. Hence, if the property owner prefers something affordable, unique and designer look, he or should can consider having laminate flooring from renowned laminate floor producers.

On the other hand, solid wood flooring equates luxury and comfort. Installing wood flooring will increase the property value. Wood floors do not accumulate dust mites and hence it improves the surrounding air quality. However, the investment in solid wood plank flooring is much higher than that of laminate flooring. And wood floor installation requires skilful craftmanships and it takes a longer time than laminate flooring. Hence, the owners while deciding to have solid wood flooring at their home, they must choose credible vendors who are able to provide skilled workmanship for their woodwork as well as responsible contractors who supplied eco friendly wood timber flooring from well managed forests and using of eco friendly adhesive during the installation.

At the end of the day, it will be up to the home owners to decide whether laminate flooring or solid timber flooring is suitable for them. Both kinds of flooring have their individual characteristics. For first time "wood flooring home owners", they can consider installing engineered wood flooring with high wear layer. Engineered wood flooring is 100 per cent real wood and it has a solid feel when stepped on. Its price range comes in between laminate flooring and solid wood flooring. A good engineered wood's surface layer should be around 3.5mm so that it can be re-varnished and be "re-freshed" after long period of years while keeping up with or increase the value of the property as a result.

The property owners should always do their own research and due diligence before selecting the best flooring material that reflects their characters the most and goes well with their budget.