Laminate Hardwood Flooring in Des Moines, IA

Caring for Hardwood Flooring vs Caring for Laminate Flooring

Both hardwood flooring and laminate flooring are attractive and durable and can enhance the beauty and value of your home. With proper care and maintenance, they can last decades before needing repair or replacement. Because they are made from different materials, they require different types of care and maintenance. At Bryan Flooring, we are a family-owned and operated business, and we understand that installing new flooring in your home is a huge investment. We want to help you protect that investment and keep your home beautiful and comfortable by providing education and resources on properly caring for laminate flooring vs hardwood. Take a look at our guide for caring for hardwood flooring vs laminate flooring in Des Moines, IA, and then call us to schedule a consultation for flooring installation.

What Is Hardwood Flooring?

Hardwood flooring is one of the country’s most popular and timeless flooring materials. It has been used for centuries and can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. Hardwood flooring is crafted and manufactured from natural hardwoods like maple, walnut, hickory, acacia, tamarind, redwood, and oak. Hardwood flooring maintains an even temperature year-round and is naturally noise-reductive. It can be installed in almost any room except for rooms with a lot of moisture and humidity, like bathrooms, laundry rooms, mud rooms, and basements. Hardwood floor is installed over a plywood subfloor, concrete slab, tile, or an existing wood floor.

What Is Hardwood Floor Laminate?

Laminate hardwood flooring or laminate plank flooring mimics the appearance, color, style, and grain of natural hardwood flooring. However, laminate flooring is an engineered material with a high-quality plywood core with a thin layer of hardwood flooring. It is moisture-resistant and can be installed in any room of the house. It is also resistant to mold, mildew, scratches, scuffs, pests, and insects. Hardwood laminate floors are more affordable than hardwood flooring, but they still look amazing and can enhance the beauty, value, and comfort of your home. Laminate flooring either comes with an underlayment attached or is installed on top of an underlayment attached to your subfloor. Proper care and maintenance allow laminate flooring to last 30-50 years.

What Are the Key Differences In Laminate vs Hardwood Flooring?

The key differences in laminate vs hardwood flooring are the materials and the cost. Hardwood flooring typically costs between $8-15 per square foot with additional costs for installation, while engineered or laminate wood flooring costs between $4-7 per square foot. Hardwood flooring can last 30-100 years with proper care and maintenance, and laminate flooring typically lasts 30-50 years. Hardwood flooring is water-resistant but not waterproof, while laminate flooring is water-resistant and can be treated to be waterproof. You should not use a wet mop to clean hardwood flooring, but you can for laminate flooring. Hardwood flooring is typically between ¾” thick, 2 ¼-4″ wide, and 12-84″ long, while laminate flooring is typically ⅜-9/16″ thick, 2 ¼-7″ wide, and 12-60″ long. Both hardwood flooring and laminate hardwood flooring are attractive, durable, and comfortable. Solid natural hardwood and laminate hardwood flooring are easy to care for and maintain.

Caring for Natural Hardwood Flooring

To clean your hardwood flooring, you just need to sweep or mop it. You can use a microfiber dust mop or damp mop to prevent scratches and water damage. If you use a vacuum cleaner, ensure it is on the hard floor rather than the carpet setting. Clean up spills right away to prevent moisture damage. You will likely never need to polish or wax your hardwood flooring, as it should be pre-finished. You may need to recoat or refinish the flooring occasionally, depending on the wear and tear it undergoes. You should also have it resealed every 6 or 7 years.

Caring for Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring needs special care to keep it as beautiful as it was at its initial installation. However, they should not be cleaned the same way you clean hardwood floors. You must protect them from stains and scuffs because they cannot be refinished if damaged. The best way to clean laminate flooring is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions based on the materials used in your flooring. If something spills on the floor, clean it up immediately to avoid stains or damage. Don’t use abrasive tools to clean or drag furniture across the flooring. Use a soft-bristle broom or dust mop to sweep, and if you vacuum, use a vacuum specifically designed for hard floors. Mop your laminate flooring once a month using a damp mop or microfiber mop. Do not use too much water. You should also ensure any cleaning products you use are labeled for laminate flooring use. Do not use oil-based cleaning products, waxes, or polishes. Use furniture pads, doormats, and area rugs to protect the floor from damage.

Schedule a Consultation for Flooring Installation

At Bryan Flooring, we offer quality, durable flooring solutions from the finest brands and manufacturers in the country. We are a family-owned and operated business focused on building strong relationships with our customers and providing exceptional customer service, professional installation, and quality craftsmanship. We handle every step of your flooring experience, from demolition and tear-out of your old flooring to delivery and professional installation of your new flooring. Our experts can help you choose the perfect type of flooring for your needs, aesthetic, lifestyle, and budget, and we can help you bring your vision of your dream home to life. In addition to flooring, we also offer kitchen cabinets, custom showers, backsplashes, hardware, and custom blinds, shades, and shutters. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a consultation for flooring installation in Des Moines, IA.