Why Hardwood Is Better Than Laminate

When it comes to wood flooring, there are tons of products to choose from. You have your hard wood, laminate, and parquet. My family has been in the flooring business for 25 years and know what it takes for a good quality floor. We specialize in hardwood in the Houston area. We also install laminate and parquet. When you go with a hardwood floor, you are investing in a product that is going to last a life time.

Hardwood floors can make a room feel different than carpet or tile. Just looking at a well put together floor can change a persons mood. Most people that are in the real-estate business can tell you a hardwood floor can be a great selling point to a buyer. Some hardwood floors are as old as 100 years. There is no-way that a laminate floor will ever last this long. Hardwood floors can get scratch, as many floors do. This can be caused by furniture being moved, dogs, and even your lovely children’s toys. The best thing about this type of flooring is the fact you can re-sand, re-stain, and alter the look if you so choose. Hardwood is more expensive to buy than laminate. The price can range from $4 – $15 a square foot. It all depends on what type of wood you buy. Installation is usually $1.50 – $5 a square foot.

Laminate floors are a cheap alternative to hardwood. If you have done research then you know that the warranty on laminate flooring only goes up to 25 years. That is only if you buy certain types. The bad thing about this type of flooring is, you can NOT refinish it. These types of flooring come already finished, all you do is snap the pieces in place. This can be tricky because if the tongue on the board breaks then that board may not be completely grounded. If the board is not tight then the floor can warp causing ripples.

The difference between the these two products are worlds apart. If you have the resources to get a hardwood floor done, it is worth it. Just a reminder: there are some types of wood out there that are cheaper, like white oak or pine.

If you want a floor that is going to last, then go with hardwood floors in your home. Not only are you going to have a floor that looks great, but can also be altered over time to fit your home improvement imagination.

Remodeling for Resale Value

Remodeling your home can be a very exciting time, but when certain issues arise, they can then become very stressful. Most people choose to remodel areas in the house like the kitchen and the bathroom. From a resell standpoint of you, remodeling your kitchen and bathroom wall at the most resell value for your buck.

Replacing your countertops is one of the best investments that you can make in your kitchen. Updating your countertops is quite easy, and our many different directions that you can go. You have many options to choose from, like granite countertops, or laminate countertops.

Formica is a brand of laminate countertop that is durable, inexpensive, and easy to install. You can find Formica countertops at most retail hardware stores such as Lowe’s, and Home Depot. Most hardware stores also carry many Formica samples that you can take home with you to compare to your houses style, and colors.

When you are going to take formica chips, or samples home with you, it is a good idea to take at least 10 at a time. Look through all 10 samples carefully and narrowed down to the one that you think you would want to use as your countertop color and texture. Once you have narrowed it down, it is a good idea to sleep on it for the night. If you wake up the following morning and you still feel like the sample you chose is the right choice, then by all means, get that countertop.

A few points that make laminate countertops so popular in homes today, is the fact that they are extremely durable, scratch resistant and inexpensive. You will find laminate countertops and a majority of new construction homes, older homes, and newly remodeled homes. Formica countertops are a gray countertop for the do-it-yourselfer as well, as they are extremely easy to install.

It is important that you take your time when trying to select the countertop that you will be installing in your newly remodeled kitchen. Do not take this decision lightly. If you are having a tough time deciding which countertops you should use, you can always use the help of an interior designer or decorator, they are more than happy to give you a helping hand.