Wood Flooring – Hardwood, Tile, Laminate or Vinyl?

The look of wood flooring is timeless. Hardwood floors have adorned some of the most elite houses and estates in history and still exude a sense of durability and traditional superiority when compared to manufactured floors. Installing hardwood flooring in your home is a true investment that will keep its value. There is an ageless quality about the natural color of hardwoods that guarantees your house never becomes outdated because of its flooring. Hardwood flooring adds a richness and warmth to the home. It is at home in any style décor, from contemporary, to traditional, to cottage and seaside. It is available in a variety of colors that will compliment any design.

Types of hardwood floors include:

Solid hardwood – each board is generally made of one piece of wood, typically the most expensive option, but longest lasting, because it can be sanded and refinished.

Engineered hardwood – this floor is more dimensionally stable and will fare better in areas that have high moisture content. It is usually a veneer of hardwood glued to another layer of wood.

This flooring sometimes cannot be refinished or may be able to be done one time.

Tile that has the look of hardwood floors has gained tremendous popularity. This type of floor is very durable, easy to clean and difficult to scratch, unlike real hardwood. This is an excellent option if you love the look of hardwood, but don’t want the expense of solid hardwood. This is a great option if you have small children or pets. Wood look tile is best laid on a more solid surface like concrete where there is no give or bounce that might cause cracks.

Laminate floors are another way to achieve a wood look and the quality has improved since they were first introduced. They are an inexpensive option to get the wood look. They are attractive and durable. However, they do not hold up well if they are exposed to water, often lifting or peeling. They are a good option for homes that will not be installing on a cement base since they will accommodate a little give or bounce.

Vinyl plank floors are another way to achieve a wood look floor. They are usually the least expensive way to get the wood floor look and are easy to install. They can be applied to almost any level surface and range from being water resistant to waterproof.

WOOD LOOKS GOOD! Can you tell which is tile, wood and laminate?