I can't deny that wood floors are lovely to look at, warm and inviting, but the same ensue can be obtained with laminate wood for a lot less money and headaches! And in many cases laminate wood may be the better choice. Not only does it look like "wood", under most situations it will out-perform real hardwoods...
Since the very beginning of laminate wood floors, improvements have been a constant attempt with manufacturers, like Alloc, Mannington and Dupont, to make this flooring material a "perfect" product. The "wear" (top) layer is made of aluminum oxide, a shield about as strong as steel and penetrating it is near impossible.
Waterproof Laminate Flooring
With hardwood flooring not much has changed since the 70s to improve it's tolerance of normal living conditions. Other than developing a new type of end to give it more protection, there's not much that can be done to convert its profile. It is what it is, a lovely, natural product...
But lets be honest, there are some areas where any kind of wood flooring products is not the best choice. There are risk involved if you use wood in a kitchen or bathroom. If the flooring is porous, like hardwoods, it is a fort for harboring bacteria and germs.
Waterproof or Not?
When I hear the word "waterproof" I think "unaffected by moisture", don't you? Well that's not the case with either hardwoods or laminate wood. Flooring manufacturers marketing their wood flooring materials as "waterproof" is a selling point, and why not they are in the company to "sell", but the truth is wood and water/moisture do not mix.
The thing with hardwoods or laminate wood is neither one is totally waterproof... Too much exposure to moisture and hardwoods will expand, and as it dries it contracts. This type of performance will cause all sorts of issues with ended hardwood floors.
Laminate wood tolerates moisture much better than hardwoods. The Hpl (high-pressure laminate) is constructed with sealed waxed edges, this is in addition to the Aluminum Oxide outside coating, that increases water resistance. But if exposed too long to moisture/water it will buckle.
But between the two, laminate wood tolerates moisture and bacteria far better than hardwoods.
The affect From Impacts
As hard and durable as hardwoods is, they are as a matter of fact dinged from impacts! Hard to believe, but true! Drop a sharp edged object or heavy pan on the hardwood floor and it will leave a mark..
Do the same thing with laminate wood and it won't faze the flooring at all... The Aluminum Oxide outside coating on laminate can be compared to steel. Hard as a rock!
Scratching The Wood
Hardwood floors scratch very easily. You have to be very specific when absorbing furniture, or anyone of indispensable weight or with a rough bottom, not to drag it but to lift it, unless you have floor guards on the lowest of anyone object you want to move. outside grit will scratch the wood, too, so it is very foremost to keep it swept up and use entry way area rugs to prevent bringing outside grit inside.
Laminate wood will scratch, but not so easily, and as with hardwood floors, putting rugs in front of outside entry ways is a smart way to safe your flooring. My laminate wood kitchen floor is 7 years old and there is not one scratch on it. Once again the outside end is what provides such good protection.
Staining
Hardwoods are porous and may suck in a stain like an ink blotter if not cleaned up quickly, even with a good end on the wood you have to be very specific not to let something like wine or blueberries just sit, they need to be wiped up speedily to prevent staining.
Laminate wood is not porous but will stain, too, but the stains can regularly be removed with a small whole of acetone or denatured alcohol and a clean, preferable white, cloth. When staining occurs on this type of flooring it is the protective outside end that is stained
Maintenance
Hardwood floors are easy adequate to sweep or dust and so is mopping, but it requires cleaning products made for hardwood floors. Eventually, hardwood floors will need refinishing or even sanding and refinishing, but can be sanded may times over. Maintenance can be fairly precious if the floor needs a new finish. If it is indispensable to replace any of the flooring it can be done board by board without replacing the whole floor..
Laminate wood floors don't wish much in the care and maintenance department. Just sweep often and light mop when needed. No special products are necessary. Swiffer products are excellent for laminate floors. Other thing with laminate wood is you can replace singular planks without replacing the whole floor.
Hardwood Vs Laminate Wood Flooring - What You Should Know!