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Q: I want to install a wood floor in my home, but like everyone else, my budget is tight. What presents a better value — hardwood floors or that imitation flooring that looks like hardwood? — Jesse L., Columbia, Md.
A: “Imitation” flooring that looks like hardwood is commonly called laminate flooring. Made up of paper layers pressed between a clear film and a high-density backing board, laminate is a durable alternative to traditional hardwood and can be significantly cheaper.
Laminate has a lot of up-front plusses that make it worth considering. It can cost as little as $2 a square foot, and it is relatively easier and faster to install than hardwood. It's a “floating” floor, meaning it does not have to be fastened directly to the subfloor and can be installed over existing vinyl, tile or wood flooring.
If you're handy, you might even be able to install it yourself. Most brands of laminate can simply be snapped together. As far as durability goes, laminate resists stains and scratches well enough that some brands carry warranties of 10 years or longer, making it a good option for high-traffic areas or homes with pets and kids.
As great as laminate sounds, it's not without its problems. Moisture is chief among these. If the floor is installed in a place that's humid or prone to water seepage (like a basement or kitchen), moisture can get under the laminate flooring and create a mold problem. Another issue is that laminate must be installed on an absolutely level floor to prevent the snap-together pieces from cracking along the seams. And laminate can chip or mar when a heavy object is dropped on it.
Hardwood floors, on the other hand, cost significantly more than laminate ($10 or higher per square foot) and usually must be installed by a professional, so you have labor costs on top of materials costs. Wood floors must be refinished every so often in order to maintain their look and durability, and are prone to staining, scratches and fading. So, what's the benefit to hardwood? The most notable is that the overall value of your home will increase — sometimes significantly. Longevity is another plus: When properly cared for, hardwood floors can last a century or more. It's important to note that hardwood can suffer from moisture and uneven subfloor problems, too. Mold is less likely in a moisture situation; warped boards, however, become the concern.
Send your home repair and maintenance questions to homeguru2000@hotmail.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853- 6475. Remember, when in doubt as to whether you can safely or effectively complete a project, consult a professional contractor.
© 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.
A: “Imitation” flooring that looks like hardwood is commonly called laminate flooring. Made up of paper layers pressed between a clear film and a high-density backing board, laminate is a durable alternative to traditional hardwood and can be significantly cheaper.
Laminate has a lot of up-front plusses that make it worth considering. It can cost as little as $2 a square foot, and it is relatively easier and faster to install than hardwood. It's a “floating” floor, meaning it does not have to be fastened directly to the subfloor and can be installed over existing vinyl, tile or wood flooring.
If you're handy, you might even be able to install it yourself. Most brands of laminate can simply be snapped together. As far as durability goes, laminate resists stains and scratches well enough that some brands carry warranties of 10 years or longer, making it a good option for high-traffic areas or homes with pets and kids.
As great as laminate sounds, it's not without its problems. Moisture is chief among these. If the floor is installed in a place that's humid or prone to water seepage (like a basement or kitchen), moisture can get under the laminate flooring and create a mold problem. Another issue is that laminate must be installed on an absolutely level floor to prevent the snap-together pieces from cracking along the seams. And laminate can chip or mar when a heavy object is dropped on it.
Hardwood floors, on the other hand, cost significantly more than laminate ($10 or higher per square foot) and usually must be installed by a professional, so you have labor costs on top of materials costs. Wood floors must be refinished every so often in order to maintain their look and durability, and are prone to staining, scratches and fading. So, what's the benefit to hardwood? The most notable is that the overall value of your home will increase — sometimes significantly. Longevity is another plus: When properly cared for, hardwood floors can last a century or more. It's important to note that hardwood can suffer from moisture and uneven subfloor problems, too. Mold is less likely in a moisture situation; warped boards, however, become the concern.
Send your home repair and maintenance questions to homeguru2000@hotmail.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853- 6475. Remember, when in doubt as to whether you can safely or effectively complete a project, consult a professional contractor.
© 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.
