Hardwood vs. Laminate: Which is the Better Choice

Nothing ties a home together like the rich, timeless beauty of hardwood floors.

There's a reason buyers prefer wooden floors over alternative flooring materials. Not only is wood easier to care for than carpet, but there is also absolutely no matching it for looks.

That said, beautiful hardwood floors don't have to be natural wood. Laminate floors can look just as stunning as authentic hardwood -- but, is it better than the real thing?

The battle of hardwood vs. laminate has been raging for quite some time mainly because both materials make for fantastic flooring.

But, which material is right for you?

Here are all of the pros and cons you'll need to consider before deciding between classic hardwood and remarkable laminate floors.

Hardwood Flooring

While they may look very similar, there's a difference between an original painting and a print.

No matter how advanced laminate becomes, it will never be on the same level as real hardwood floors. But, just like with a one of a kind oil painting from the 1800s, there are a few drawbacks that come with authenticity.

Here are all of the upsides and downsides to installing hardwood floors in your home.

Hardwood Pros

People generally prefer hardwood floors because of the overall look, feel, and even smell that comes with them. That said, authentic wood isn't just more aesthetically pleasing, it can also increase the resale value of your home.

On top of that, hardwood is easy to repair in case of scratches or splinterings -- and you can also have them completely refinished.

Hardwood Cons

Unfortunately, like authentic oil paintings, hardwood is much more expensive than laminate flooring. The overall price depends on the type of wood you use as some woods are rarer and harder to install.

Price aside, hardwood floors are also much more susceptible to nicks and scratches. So, if you have a lot of pets or young children, hardwood may not be the best option for you.

Laminate Flooring

Part of human nature is that we're always looking for the latest and greatest new thing. And, when it comes to flooring laminate is just that.

While it may not be authentic hardwood planks, contemporary laminate does a pretty good job of passing itself off as the genuine thing.

As the technology and methods behind its creation continue to improve, there's no telling what the future holds for this material.

But, despite being a technological wonder of the modern age, laminate floors are not without their faults.

Here are the biggest pros and cons of laminate flooring.

Laminate Pros

The most prominent benefit to choosing laminate over hardwood is the price difference. The materials used to make laminate are cheaper, because of that, you can expect to pay roughly half of what you would spend on real wood.

On top of that, laminate flooring is much more scratch resistant, so you won't have to worry as much about nicking your brand new floors.

Laminate Cons

The biggest drawback to laminate flooring is that it is much more difficult to repair than regular wood.

Depending on the type of laminate you get, a crack or hole can lead to you having to replace the entire floor. While laminate is much more durable than wood, if something should happen, you could be looking at an expensive fix.