Flooring is that aspect of the interior decoration that is very important. Believe me it is worth spending the time to get good flooring. I have spent quite some time experimenting with different types of flooring and have analyzed their performance. This is by virtue of my profession as I am an interior decorator myself and flooring forms a very integral part of my profession. The biggest dilemma that is faced by most homeowners is the choice of the flooring and the battle generally ends up with a fight between the laminated flooring and hardwood floors. Both look pretty good in any home.

Flooring with real wood or laminate have their own advantages and disadvantages. Let us find out the exact differences and try to put an end to the debate once and for all.

For most people cost is the factor that determines their selection. They are usually spending more than they can afford on their mortgage, and so are struggling to find money for anything else except the cars they need to get to work. Crazy world, isn’t it? So I have to admit that laminated floors can look good until they get damaged, when you need to replace the damaged planks. There is no way of repairing laminates that makes any sense.

I feel that real wood flooring has always been my personal favorite – I somehow couldn’t get over the fact that laminated flooring is after all not real – but the advantages of the laminated flooring cannot be just ignored.

It goes without saying that real wood costs more, because it is hard wood, whereas the substrate of a laminate in softwood, which grows more quickly, and so is bound to be cheaper. It is also true that it can be more difficult and time-consuming to lay a real wood floor than laminates, because laminated boards simply click together. One final thought: if you have teenagers in the house, the chances are that a laminated floor will get scratched and damaged in no time and look awful, whereas whatever they do to a solid wood floor can be repaired. Solid wood floors are definitely the best answer.