What are Solid Wood or Laminate Floors, and how do they differ?

It’s true; who doesn’t love solid wood on their floors? However, today there are floors just as beautiful and durable, which may have more advantages. Therefore, we have prepared this article with all the appropriate information to compare solid wood flooring and laminate flooring.

Both are great and super sturdy, plus you can find them in different shades and patterns. Although they have significant differences, We will analyze each aspect in detail to determine which option is the best depending on your needs.

solid wood flooring and laminate flooring

At first glance, solid wood and laminates have similar characteristics, making it almost impossible to tell them apart. The critical difference between these types of floors lies in their surface area. Solid wood floors feature a hardwood top layer, while laminate floors have a photographic layer that seeks to resemble wood realistically.

Solid wood floors

Products made from wood and handcrafted materials, made of solid wood planks from top to bottom, give the floors a unique and natural appearance, making them the most desired on the market.

Its main advantage is found in the core of the floor since its composition is made up of plywood or HDF, offering firmness, durability and specific resistance to humidity to its solid wood floors, which are made in layers, listed below. :

Upper layer:

• It is the wear layer.
• It can be made of any wood.
• It is there where the veneer is found, which is responsible for giving a unique and natural touch to the surface of the floor.

Core:  This layer is characterized by its solidity and density since it is made up of HDF and plywood mixed with wax and waterproof elements, guaranteeing the longevity of the solid wood floor.

Lower layer:  Better known as the backing layer, it is generally made of HDF and plywood.

Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring has been popular since the 1970s as it is the closest alternative to solid wood flooring; thanks to its design and manufacture, the laminates are durable and realistic, capable of resisting wear and tear and imitating any element of nature.

Solid wood floors vs Laminate flooring

the qualities and virtues of solid wood and laminate floors, we will compare both products in the most outstanding categories without neglecting your tastes and preferences.

Durability

Solid wood floors do not have a wear layer since they are made entirely of wood. For this reason, they are more vulnerable. At the same time, laminates are resistant to impact, scratches, stains and, in a certain way, to water, all thanks to their wear layer, guaranteeing the product’s longevity.

Result: Laminate flooring

Waterproof

Both products are manufactured and assembled based on wax and glue, providing some humidity resistance but not total impermeability.

Result: Both

Appearance

Even though the top layer of laminates may resemble wood almost perfectly, it is not enough as it lacks small details, while the solid wood floors are made of natural wood.

Result: Solid wood floors

Pet friendly

Thanks to the layer of wear present in the laminates make them the ideal floor for all kinds of pets, as they are resistant to scratches and spills. At the same time, solid wood is composed of natural wood in each layer and lacks a wear layer, leaving its surface vulnerable to pet accidents.

Facility

Laminate floors are made with state-of-the-art technology since they have a snap-in or click-type installation system, promoting DIY; Well, an instruction manual and a scalpel will be more than enough to complete the project. At the same time, the installation of solid wood is more complex since it requires nails, glue and a heavy tool to install the work.

Cost

If price is important, laminate is the market’s most affordable and wood-like option.

Resale value

As long as the floor is well cared for, it will add value to the home. But it is no secret to anyone that homes with solid wood floors are under the watchful eye of investors or future owners due to their long useful life.

Cleaning and maintenance

Thanks to the smooth surface in the laminates, sweeping and dry mopping will be more than enough; in solid wood, the opposite happens; thanks to its reliefs and grooves, cleaning and maintenance can be somewhat cumbersome process due to its high level of difficulty.