The natural beauty of hardwood floors continues to provide homeowners with a timeless look that never goes out of style. More recently, however, homeowners are increasingly choosing laminate, which mirrors the look of hardwood at a lower price tag. Below is a helpful guide to deciding which type of flooring is right for you and your home.

Hardwood vs. Laminate Flooring

3 Benefits of Hardwood 

• Value: One of the greatest benefits of installing hardwood floors in your home is that it raises the property’s value. Whenever you decide to put your house up for sale in the future, buyers will likely offer more money for a home with beautiful hardwood floors than they would if you had carpet or low-quality laminate.

• Low Maintenance: Another reason to consider hardwood is that it’s low maintenance. Hardwood floors require only a weekly sweeping, dry mopping or vacuuming in order to keep dust and dirt at bay. Even better, most hardwood floors only need a thorough scrubbing once a year to keep their shine.

• Durability: Lastly, hardwood is a strong and durable material that lasts for decades. Even if your floors get scratched or dented, they can be refinished rather than replaced. This ultimately ensures you get the most out of your investment, and helps reduce the amount of used flooring materials in your local landfill.

3 Benefits of Laminate

• Price: If budget is your main concern, laminate flooring is a great way to get the look of hardwood for less. Not only is the flooring itself cheaper, but the cost to install laminate can also be significantly less than installing premium hardwood.

• Scratch-Resistant: Another benefit of laminate flooring is that it’s resistant to scratches and other imperfections caused by wear and tear. This is due to the pressed wood it’s made from, which helps keep your floors looking like new for years to come.

• UV Protection: For homes that receive a great deal of natural sunlight, you may want to keep in mind that hardwood floors in direct exposure may fade over time. Laminate, on the other hand, is manufactured with UV protection, to ensure your floors are protected from the sun’s rays, even in the heat of summer.
   

Looking to install hardwood or laminate flooring in your home? Turn to the floor refinishing experts at Georgia Direct Carpet in Hamilton, OH. Serving the carpet and flooring needs of residential or commercial properties across the Tri-State Area for more than 50 years, they have the largest selection of vinyl and hardwood floors, ceramic tile, and carpet offerings around. They also honor all warranties on top brands including Mohawk, Beaulieu, and Shaw, meeting all of your flooring needs at a fair and affordable price. To learn more, check out their list of offerings online or call them directly at (513) 894-7700 today.