Flooring choices can have a profound impact on any interior design project, and even if you’ve settled on a particular look or feel, you will find that there are still material choices that need to be made.

Wood flooring is becoming increasingly popular in modern homes and businesses, as owners look to create more natural spaces that offer a feeling of warmth and traditional beauty. Wood also makes sense from a practical perspective and will be one of the options presented by your Miami interior designer.

If you love the look of wood, then you’re eventually going to need to choose between the laminate and hardwood flooring. Both materials have advantages and disadvantages, so you’ll need to consider these to find out which option is perfect for your needs. Here’s all you need to know about these versatile design materials, with advice from one of the best interior designer in Miami.

The Basics: Natural vs Manufactured

When considering laminate wood flooring, you’ll need to understand that you’re dealing with a fully manufactured product. Even when real wood is used for some of the layers, there may be other materials that make up the surface.

With hardwood flooring, what you see is exactly what you get: natural wood that has been treated and finished for use in construction and interior design.

Differences in Price

When you work with a Miami interior designer, you’ll get the best suggestions for products and materials that fit within your budget. If you’re someone who struggles to stick to a budget when performing renovations or remodeling, then working with an interior designer is a smart move.

Both hardwood and laminate wood flooring are at different ends of the price scale.

Hardwood comes from harvested forestry resources, which naturally makes the pricing high. Exotic wood will push prices up even higher. The high price is not just in obtaining the material, but also in having it installed. Installation of natural hardwood is more time consuming and requires a more experienced installer when compared to laminate.

Because laminate is made from composite materials that are pressed together in the factory, tiles are much more affordable than hardwood. In some cases, the materials are fully composite, so even the top layer will not be a natural veneer of wood. Instead, manufacturers use transparent sheeting to create a natural wood grain look. The results can be outstanding, especially when you choose high-quality laminate flooring, and the money that you save can be put back into other areas of your interior design project. Alternatively, choosing laminate flooring planks could simply reduce the overall cost of your project.

Is Hardwood More Durable Than Laminated Floor Planks?

There’s a common misconception that hardwood is more durable than laminate. While hardwood is longer lasting and can be refinished to make it a more feasible long-term investment, it is still not impervious to damage.

Hardwood can be scratched, it can expand when exposed to excessive moisture, and it can even dry out and shrink in some conditions. Hardwood will show a lot of wear in high traffic areas, such as kitchens, dining areas, entranceways, and hallways. Some people do like the look of worn hardwood, but it does depend on the aesthetic that you’re trying to achieve. If you and your Miami interior designer choose hardwood for the final installation, then you should be prepared for some maintenance costs throughout the ownership of your property.

Laminate is more resilient to scratching and wearing, for as long as the factory seal holds up. Even so, the laminate surface can eventually wear down, and this would require replacement of the affected planks (laminates cannot be refinished). So, while you can expect laminates to look great for a longer period of time, you will need to understand that they’ll eventually need replacing. On the plus side, your laminate planks won’t warp, shrink, or crack, and they’re much more tolerant of climate changes.

A Decision You Can Discuss with the Best Interior Designer in Miami

At the end of the day, both laminate planks and natural hardwood flooring can look great in your home or business. If cost is a major concern, then laminate will provide an aesthetic appeal at a reasonable price point. Planks can be manufactured to look like exotic wood, giving you access to an aesthetic that wouldn’t be available with natural timber. Hardwood is timeless but will come with a price premium and will require more maintenance. However, the investment is worth it if you’re looking for the ultimate in luxury for your floors.

Whatever look and feel you want to achieve, J.Design Group has over 26 years of experience, and our leading Miami interior design firm can help you to make the right choice for your next project. Call us today to begin the consultation process.