by Fegger

Created on: March 05, 2009

Hardwood or Laminate Flooring: a question that may only be truly answered by the wise and self-examining consumer.

The last twelve years, or so, of my floor covering career were often spent engaged in this very question from the studious homeowner: "We're torn between hardwood flooring and laminate flooring, which is better?" My answer then is consistent with what it is now: "I can't answer that question honestly. I can tell you the proverbial "goods and bads" of both products; but it is ultimately up to you to evaluate your needs and natural lifestyle habits in order to make the right decision." Typically, being an old-school-Yankee, my prejudice for hardwood applications often had me referring to laminate as the "short-term gain/long-term loss" when compared to hardwood in identical applications. I need to confess, that in certain applications, laminate performs significantly better than hardwood; and I may therefore, in all sincerity, understand the quandary of the consumer. This scenario is best explored through a series of questions that I, and my salespeople, asked while interviewing the customer; and, depending on the answers, led us to make the right recommendation for the right application.

1.) Do you own your own home? Do you plan on staying in your home for the next 5-7 years or do you plan on selling? Assuming the answer is "yes" to the first question, the second question becomes more significant; and comprises a few critical issues to ponder. Before I'd move on to the next question I would alert them to the fact that in 5-7 years, both products would be showing visible signs of wear-and-tear.

2.) Do you have and kids or critters? If children are present in the home, the habits and behaviors consistent with their level of development need to be considered. For example, the 3-year-old boy may have a metal Tonka truck he'll be dragging across the living room; and the teen-age daughter will likely be spilling nail polish (and remover) on the same floor. With regards to "critters", I was mostly concerned with dogs/cats as well as their size and agesall factors that need to be considered.

3.) Any special construction variables? Here I'm asking if this is an above, on, or below landscape grade installation; and if there's a special heating system installedin particular, "radiant" heat which has its own parameters with flooring selections.

4.) Room(s) that you are considering doing with this finish; and is there a direct exterior door that is present in this

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next Page >>