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Laminate vs porcelain flooring

11 years ago
What are the pros and cons?
Floor · More Info

Comments (2)

  • PRO
    11 years ago

    Pros

    1. Easy to Install. you can install 300 square feet in a weekend. Older types of laminate flooring required you to glue pieces to each other. Newer types of laminate flooring have a "click-lock" design. This "click-lock" design is often combined with a dry glue that is already on the product and requires just a swipe of a wet (with water) sponge or cloth to active it.
    1. Very Durable Surface. Unlike wood, which can dent, laminate flooring is almost impervious to dents and scratches. Laminate flooring has what's called in the industry a "wear layer" that protects the photographic layer underneath. Some manufacturers, DuPont in particular, give very generous 10+ year warranties on this wear layer.
    2. No Bad Pieces. Unlike real hardwood, which comes with many imperfect pieces that need to be thrown out or re-engineered,
    3. Good for Moist Places. Laminate flooring can be installed in bathrooms, kitchens, and other places where you encounter "topical moisture" (as Mannington calls it). But it will not tolerate standing pools of water. However, let's be clear that neither Hardwood nor engineered wood can tolerate standing water, either. For heavy moisture, you need a very impervious surface like vinyl or tile.
    4. Easy to Clean. Just use a vacuum or broom. Mop with a slightly damp mop. No floor waxing needed.
    5. Resists Stains. Laminate flooring's tough surface resists stains. And if you do get a stain, it's easy to clean off.

    A

    Cons

    1. Not Real Wood. Some people are bothered by this, some aren't. Technically, there is wood in laminate flooring--a wood chip base layer. But, for all intents and purposes, laminate flooring isn't wood.
    2. Hard Under Foot. Foam helps dampen this feeling, but it's still there.
    3. Slippery. Traditionally, laminate flooring has been very slippery. More currently, though, manufacturers have been developing slip-resistent wear layers.
    4. Lower Resale Value. Good hardwood or Engineer wood gives better value when selling your house.
    5. Not Sandable or Refinishable. This is probably the biggest disadvantage of laminate flooring. If laminate flooring is heavily worn, deep scratched, or grooved, it cannot be sanded or refinished like hardwood it must be replaced.
  • PRO
    11 years ago

    Tile Pros

    • Water and stain-proof

    • Good Traction and slip-resistance

    • Wide variety of shapes and sizes

    • Glazed ceramic doesn't need sealing

    • Won't crack or deform in heat or frost

    • Colors won't fade

    • A multitude of colors & textures

    • Easy to clean with just hot water or standard cleaning products

    • Durable, extremely wear-resistant and long-lasting

    • A low cost floor tile

    Cons

    • Chips and scratches remove the colored glaze
    • Difficult to repair or re-surface
    • Can look a bit plastic
    • Hard to Install
    • dust and dirty
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