While hardwood and laminate flooring may look almost identical at a glance, nearly every other aspect is different. This includes cost, maintenance, lifespan, installation, and—most importantly—how you care for them. Because of their materials and specific characteristics, there are some different approaches to caring for and maintaining hardwood vs. laminate flooring to keep them in great condition.
The Main Differences Between Hardwood and Laminate Flooring
Hardwood flooring and laminate flooring both look like real wood, but solid hardwood flooring is composed of boards that are 100% solid wood. It’s typically the more expensive option, can last a lifetime, can be sanded and refinished many times, and often has a better resale value.
Laminate flooring is manufactured with a core layer of fiberboard made of wood byproducts. The flooring boards are much thinner than hardwood, are easier to install, and are a more affordable option. Laminate flooring only lasts about 10 years and cannot be refinished, but it’s a great option for homes with pets and heavy foot traffic.
How to Clean Hardwood Flooring
Cleaning your hardwood floors is simple: sweep, vacuum, or damp-mop them with a wood cleaner. It is important to keep your hardwood floors dry and quickly clean up spills to prevent liquid from pooling on the floor. Most hardwood floors these days come pre-finished, so you won’t have to worry about polishing or waxing them.
How to Clean Laminate Flooring
Laminate floors can also be easily cleaned with a vacuum, broom, or damp mop that is moistened with laminate floor cleaner. You’ll never need to wax your laminate floors, and just like with hardwoods, avoiding excessive liquid is crucial to prevent damage.
Hardwood Flooring Maintenance
Your hardwood floors will likely need to be recoated or refinished periodically, depending on wear and how well they’ve been cared for over the years. Occasional resealing is also recommended, and if there is severe damage, that’s when you’ll want a professional to sand and refinish your floors.
Laminate Flooring Maintenance
Laminate floors have pretty good resistance to damage from impact, but if a heavy object hits your laminate flooring hard enough, it could gouge or dent the floor. Some hazards that may reduce the lifespan of your laminate flooring include water infiltration, scratches from furniture, and excessive sunlight.
While laminate floors can’t be refinished or sanded, you can individually replace boards that have been damaged if the problem is only in one small area of your home.
Call Springer for Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaning
Whether you have solid hardwood or laminate flooring, Springer can help keep your floors clean! When your flooring starts to lose its luster and become scratched, scuffed, and damaged, give us a call. Our team of experts uses products to seal, protect, and renew your wood or laminate flooring without causing a huge mess.
Visit our website to learn more about our method for cleaning hardwood and laminate floors and to schedule an appointment!