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Every homeowner strives to increase or at least retain the value of their home, and what better way to start than with flooring? Installing new floors is a painless way to add value to your home without breaking the bank. Often the only difficulty is choosing what type of flooring is most fit for your home, especially when deciding between real wood and laminate flooring. Co-owner of leading wood flooring supplier, 1926 Trading, points out that both have advantages as well as disadvantages, and advises that your decision should be based on your budget and lifestyle.

Advantages of solid wood flooring

The authenticity of wood flooring is often what attracts the buyer, ranging in various widths, thicknesses and finishes. Homeowners can choose from a variety of fashionable warm and fresh tones that enhance any part of the room, all made up of 100% real wood. Worried about scratches of scuffs? Solid wood flooring can be easily sanded, unlike laminate. It can also be spruced up several times, providing a new look as satisfying as before. Solid wood flooring can be embellished and painted to compliment your home based on the colour and décor, proving to be beneficial when redecorating. If you have a larger budget and desire a stylish floor that will last for a long-time, investing in solid wood flooring is your best bet. Still aren’t sold? This desirable flooring adds value to your home, making it a great investment if you eventually decide to put your home on the market.

Disadvantages of solid wood flooring

While the authenticity attracts the eye, it is also the most troublesome part of solid wood flooring. Since it is made up of 100% real wood, the floor will expand and contract depending on the levels of humidity in your home. On the contrary, in more arid rooms, you may also find gaps between the planks which can sometimes lead to buckling and cause much damage. To prevent this, simply leave a small gap along the edges of the flooring to allow expansion.

Advantages of laminate flooring

Laminate flooring gives off the appearance of real wood, stone, or any kind of flooring with the help of its composition, consisting of melamine resin fused with layers of fibre board. This type of flooring is best for those on a budget, and is far cheaper than solid wood flooring.  The low price starts at around £10 per metre and is also very easy to install; simply click it into place over a layer of foam. Laminate flooring is the best option for buyers with children because it is so easy to clean. Dirt and spills can be easily wiped away, and the floor will not lose it’s colour from the use of cleaning products. Laminate is also scratch and moisture resistant, making it a favourable option for any room.

Disadvantages of laminate flooring

Like solid wood flooring, laminate also comes with its disadvantages. Since it is made up of manmade fibre, it cannot be sanded down if cracked or further damaged. If this occurs, your only option is to entirely replace the floor. Laminate is not long lasting nor does it give off the authenticity seen in solid wood. 

Both laminate and solid wood flooring are worthy investments; choosing between the two simply depends on your individual needs. Examine your budget, lifestyle, and home décor, and head over to leading wood floor distributor, 1926, to get started!

For full article and more helpful tips, visit 1926 Wood Flooring.