Golden Yarn Wood, Laminate, Stone, Tile, Vinyl Flooring Contractors Of New Mexico

Okay, so everyone has this very common question before choosing a flooring option about which floor will be best for them – is it a hardwood floor or a laminate floor? To be honest, both has its benefits and here are the comparisons based on their pros and cons according to the best flooring company

Price

Wooden floors can get pricey. But when you have to decide between laminate and hardwood flooring, the former gets a nod ahead of hardwood floors. Laminate floors are made of composite wood that is pressed together at very high temperatures. It is the image of the hardwood that is placed on the composite wood, and that is how the laminate floor is made. Both the materials and the installation are cheap for laminate floors. Hardwood floors, on the other hand, are made of harvested trees. The pricing of these floors depends on how exotic the trees are going to be. Their installation cost is also higher than laminate floors.

Repairs and maintenance

When you have decided to opt for wooden floors, you need to keep in mind that they require regular maintenance. These are not concrete floors which you can use as much as you want. So, when it comes to repairing the floor and maintaining it from time to time, hardwood floors will be easier than laminate floors. You can get a refinish on these floors by sanding the imperfections. They are easy to repair, and maintenance is also easier.

However, laminate floors cannot be repaired quite easily. There are times when you have individual boards covering a significant portion of the floor, and if there is something wrong with that part, you may have to replace it altogether. You also have the risk of not getting the exact piece of laminate for the floor. So, things can take a wrong turn if there is anything wrong.

Durability

The ideal way to choose between laminate and hardwood flooring is by understanding the traffic in your house. You will want a durable surface so that it can last for years. And, when that factor comes into play, it is the laminate floor that will have the edge over hardwood floors. Since laminate floors are made from pressed wood, they can handle a lot more traffic. This makes them more durable than hardwood floors. In fact, they can resist scratches, absorb the regular wear and tear, and moisture too.

Hardwood floors are more susceptible to scratches, even discount hardwood floors. You need to very careful about spilling water or any liquid because it can get damaged when there is excess moisture around. Moreover, it is not the flooring option for houses that have high traffic all the time.

Visual appeal

There is undoubtedly a single winner for this one, and that is hardwood floors. They look gorgeous! If you are one of those, who believe in the visual appeal rather than the durability or maintenance, then this is the flooring option that you should install in your house.

Not that laminate floors look too dull, but they are nowhere close to what hardwood floors offer regarding beauty. The more you spend on hardwood floors, the better quality wood you will get, and that will increase the overall look of your room.

So, it all comes down to your preference and how you use the floors. If you don’t have kids in the house and you want luxury instead of convenience, then hardwood floor is the way to go. Or, if you are looking for a pocket-friendly option that will last for a long time, then you need to go for laminate floors.

A mistake that many homeowners make is to overlook the flooring when it comes to establishing the decor and feel of the home. However, what most people fail to realize is the massive impact that the correct type of flooring can have on the overall look, feel, ambiance, functionality as well as the resale value of your home. Whatever type of floor you might prefer, exploring all your options is the best way to figure out which one is going to work best for your home’s design, location, your lifestyle, and your budget.

If you don’t do your research, it could end up being a disaster. On the other hand, selecting the right type of floor with a professional finish could leave you with a feeling of great achievement as you enjoy your beautiful flooring for years to come.

Factors To Consider Before Selecting Your Flooring

Before you can actually go ahead and have your new floor installed, there are a few key factors you have to consider.

Your budget

Flooring is priced per square foot, and this can quickly add up. How big is the area you have allocated for new flooring? Will you be attempting the installation yourself? DIY installations could cut your costs in half, but you also run the risk of poor installation, which may end up costing you more in the long run. Should you opt for professional installation, you’ll have to figure in labor costs.  Your best option is to first figure out how much money you have to spend on your flooring project, and then compare estimates from several contractors. Once you start comparing estimates, you’ll get a much better idea of what is possible within your allocated budget.

Your Lifestyle

The way you and your family live and use your home will have a profound effect on the type of floor that will suit you best. If you have a big family and some pets running around, you’re likely to have several high-traffic areas. You should opt for resilient floorings like ceramic or porcelain tile, laminate flooring, or even plank vinyl flooring. On the other hand, if you don’t have a large family with minimal traffic, your flooring options could change and you could opt for something that’s softer underfoot.

Maintenance Work

Are you interested in a floor that requires very little maintenance, or is maintenance not a major concern?  Wood, for example, should be swept or vacuumed regularly if you are to maintain it well. Neglecting it will eventually leave it looking dull and scratched. Stone’s finish will also succumb without some regular sweeping. If low maintenance is your primary concern, you might opt for tile, sheet, or some laminate flooring. On the other hand, if maintenance is not the most important factor, solid or engineered flooring might be a good option.

Location of Installation

Which area have you selected? Is it an area that receives a lot of direct sunlight, or is it a darker area? Sunlight could contribute to your hardwood floors fading over time. If it’s a darker area, lighter floors could brighten up the area and even make the room look bigger. If it’s flooring for your bedrooms, it should be some flooring that’s comfortable for bare feet.

Are you perhaps considering new floors for your bathroom, basement, or laundry room? These are areas that might experience high moisture, and you should consider vinyl tile, concrete, ceramic or porcelain tile. If the area of installation is not prone to high moisture, you can consider any type of flooring.

If you are redoing your entry or foyer, you should consider something with a wow factor. However, should snow and mud at the bottom of your shoes to be a factor, the entry to your home should probably have some durable flooring.

Selecting Your Flooring

When you have the need to lay down a new floor, it’s very important to get in touch with a local professional to get some expert input on what type of flooring will be best suited for your particular project. Request some samples such as wood flooring contractor costs and see how it will match up to the look of your home. Also be sure to compare several estimates from reputable contractors in your area if you want to ensure you get the best price possible.