“Real Wood or Plastic Laminate Flooring? Which one?”

Does the term term plastic laminate flooring include engineered wood products? What about real wood planks? If not then what are the differences between these three products? 

Although all three are flooring materials, real wood flooring materials are made out only of wood, cut from trees. These are available factory finished or raw.   

The second product, engineered wood flooring material, is often mistaken for  laminate flooring material. But it is not, and the technical process that both materials undergo explains why.

The first layer and core of engineered wooden flooring is commonly made of maple, oak or cherry.  But the overall product is fortified with the use of technology coupled with better urethane adhesives. Engineered wood products have become more popular than solid wood planks because while they cost less, they provide the same look, and can easily be refinished unlike solid wood planks. In the matter of installation, engineered wood is like laminate flooring for they can be stapled, free floated or glued down, which is not the case with real wood.

What is plastic laminate flooring material composed of?  Most quality laminate planks have three layers, with high density fiber board at the core. The first layer is usually clear and made of melamine plastic material that is fused to the core with the use of heat.  If you need to visual this, think of your old formica counter top. However, the big difference is that these materials are around 45% more reslient,  compared to the counter tops.  Today’s laminate flooring material can easily handle spillage, stains, spills, chips, dents and scratches.

The second layer is called the design layer. It contains the image of ceramic tiles, stone or wood, imprinted on high quality photographic paper. Some manufacturers use a fine surface of wood for this layer.

For the better laminate flooring materials, expect to find a third layer, which gives the plank added sturdiness and strength. The thickness of a laminate flooring material is not an indication of it’s quality.  More attention should be paid to the   materials used, the processes it underwent and the pressure applied. 

As to the material of the third layer, melamine is more stable than paper.  It has the ability to bring the boards back to their original position. During production, all three layers are fused together with the use of intense heat, making them stronger and dense. 

What other qualities should you consider aside from the superior technical benefits a  laminate product has  compared to real and engineered wood products?

Laminate floors can easily absorb noise, this is because padding material is generally placed under the laminate material. Wooden floors don’t have this option.

In the aspect of maintenance, when real wood and engineered wood products  lose their luster, they can be polished back to their natural state.  Where laminate flooring is concerned,  you can purchase touch up and chip repair kits. You can also replace the damaged plank.  How’s that for low maintenance?

Changes of weather, and heavy traffic, do not change the quality of the design of laminate flooring.  This makes it ideal flooring for heavy traffic areas like the kitchen, dining and living rooms.   

On the other hand, great care has to be exercised in deciding where to place wooden floors. The sun, rain, spillage and excessive traffic affect the looks of real and engineered wood products, causing discoloration over time.  And while it is true wooden floors can be easily waxed and polished, you don’t have to do a thing about laminate floors.

A special mention needs to be said about excessive moisture. All three products react badly to moisture. In the case of wooden floors, the planks will warp and when the moisture has soaked in, lose their shape and polish. However, laminate floors can take moisture better than the other two, and is not too expensive to repair.

Inevitably, the choice of purchasing engineered wood flooring or laminate flooring  products – lies with you.

Engineered wood has its’ own special merits. But laminate flooring materials have come a long way from being inferior substitutes.  Today’s laminate flooring materials have benefitted immensely from superior technology and state-of-the–art processes.  The consumer has  a wider range of realistic designs, from stone, wood and ceramic  to choose from. Laminate floors are durable, easier to maintain, install and repair, compared to the other two products. Arden heritage Flooring is one of the leading producers of hardwood flooring. While Quick-Step Laminate Flooring and Alloc Laminate Flooring are the leaders in their field.

So when you plan your floor, consider the quantily of traffic, the design you want, and your finances.