The flooring is among the most essential features of your home making just any room fit for its purposes. Other than its utilitarian qualities, it is also among the most important interior design element that captures the preferred ambiance from which other décor and additional furnishings are based on. Thus, choosing the best flooring for your New York home is among the most major decisions homeowners have to make whether for a new construction or floor replacement project. This article compares two of the most popular choices when it comes to flooring with insights ideal whether you are in Manhattan, Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens or Staten Island.

Especially in older homes of the rich, hardwood is a common material utilized for the luxurious warmth that it offers both in look and feel. With proper care, its unsurpassed beauty and exquisite appeal can be enjoyed from generation to generation. These past few decades, home building and remodeling materials have undergone a lot of revolution with the advancements in technology. One hardwood alternative that has been gaining popularity is laminate. Once just an imitation of its more expensive counterparts, modern laminate products now boasts of enhanced durability.

To know whether hardwood floor or laminate is the best choice for you and your New York home, here are the major considerations in the selection and the pros and cons of both flooring types:

Look and Feel

When it comes to look, a lot of people may be fooled at first glance. Laminates are synthetic flooring that simulates other materials perfectly because of its photograph appliqué layer. But other than the look, hardwood floor possesses other such traits that laminate lacks including its inherent warmth and more comfort when walking.

Cost and Installation

Cost is probably the area where you’d find the greatest difference when it comes to comparing these floor types. Laminate flooring ranges from $7 per square foot to the more durable averaging $11. Manufactured in inter-lock design, installation is easier and the material can be laid over almost all kinds of sub-flooring. Hardwood on the other hand, would start around $11 and the price increases depending on the style, finish and the rarity of timber. Its installation is best done by a qualified contractor due to the advanced skills on carpentry and precision in cutting that the project requires.

Maintenance

When it comes to cleaning, both flooring will require regular sweeping and mopping. But hardwood will need more care in preserving its protective finish and appeal. Throughout time; stains, moisture and scratches will take their toll and make your floor look worn but sanding it down and refinishing will make it achieve its former glory again and again. Other than the low cost, laminate is popular for its resistance to scratch, stain and spills but once chipped, it can be irreparable.

Home Value

While hardwood could never beat laminate when it comes to cost, the boost to home value that you would enjoy is considerable. Hardwood is a favorite of both realtors and many homeowners for the good value that it adds to your home, making your investments payback in time. This makes up for a great choice when it comes to remodeling investments.