What is the difference between linolium and laminate flooring?

Answer 1

Linoleum is a continuous sheet, a sort of a vinyl with a bit of give to it.
Laminate is a series of slats joined together, sort of like formica with a masonite backer.
There's a lot more seams for liquids to leak into in laminate then linoleum.
The working lives are about the same for each, but as most laminates are floating systems and linoleum is glued down, the laminate will be cheaper to replace when the time comes.

Answer 2

Laminate flooring is cheaper for materialsand is going to have a more durable finish. Wood is going to look nicer and will also increase your home value more then laminate. Its a much higher cost up front though. As with almost all flooring materials, dont be affraid to spend a little extra to get a better quality product. You usually get what you pay for. The difference of 25-50 cents a sq ft can sometimes make a huge difference.

Answer 3

Depending on the type of hardwood you are looking at, there are many differences. Laminates are primarily constructed of a particle board. The surface is a laminated picture of wood. The surface will have an embossing to mimic a wood grain feel (real hardwood is sanded and polyurethaned therefore doesn't have that texture). Laminates are a floating floor. Under the floor is a foam pad, either attached or rolled out in advance. It protects the surface from cracks, helps make them less noisy to walk on, and sometimes acts as a moisture barrier. Repairing a laminate is extremely difficult and more often, not possible. They usually have no shine out of the box and there is no real way to make them shine. Some newer floors shine but in time that finish will dull and there is no process to restore it. These floors can be very moisture sensitive, especially since they have went to a click together installation. The surface wants to bubble and delaminate when exposed to repeated water. In addition, the subfloor must be level. Pergo in fact states your floor must be level within 1/8" in a 6' radius. There is an advantage to a laminate. You can get a look that would be much more expensive in hardwood especially if you want an exotic species. It can be put over almost any substrate or old floor with a few exceptions. Provided you are willing to accept its flaws, it is a decent choice. There are several types of hardwood installation, nail or staple down, glue down, and floating. Each of these have differences. A nail down solid hardwood is the traditional floor. They can be sanded and refinished multiple times. It is the easiest floor to repair later. You can only put this floor over a plywood or OSB subfloor because it must be nailed down. Many of the characteristics will depend on the species you pick. Just like a laminate you don't want to expose it to a great deal of moisture You never want to wet mop or steam clean a wood floor. They are available in 3/4" and 3/8" thick if height is an issue. These floors come unfinished if you want to sand and finish them at home or prefinished. Prefinished floors have a stronger layer of polyurethane then what you can do at home. Solid woods are considered permanent floors and will raise the value of your home. For people with a cement subfloor there are woods that can be glued down. These floors are engineered. They are plywood with a top layer of wood to give an appearance of solid wood. These floors can be refinished but not as many times as a solid floor. The last style installs like a laminate. It comes in boards that are clicked together. This allows you to have a wood floor over an old ceramic or vinyl floor. It shines and generally can be screened (a very light sanding) and polyurethaned again.

Answer 4

Learn about the differences between hardwood flooring & laminate Flooring

Both laminate flooring and hardwood flooring can beautify a home. While hardwood is often thought to be a superior choice, there are several advantages to laminate flooring. Distinct differences between the two types of flooring often make laminate a more attractive alternative. Solid hardwood of any thickness (most is 15mm to 18mm) should be installed only above grade. Laminate flooring can be installed above or below grade, and over virtually any other flooring surface. Some hardwood flooring is engineered, meaning that instead of solid hardwood, it is made of several wood layers with a hardwood veneer. Laminate flooring; usually 7mm to 8mm is also made of several layers. These are laminated together which makes for stability and strength. The top surface of laminate flooring is a photograph of hardwood. High quality photographs faithfully reproduce the grain and color of natural hardwood, and the surfaces on quality laminate flooring closely resemble real wood. Although many people insist on hardwood flooring, laminates are a long-lasting, durable, affordable option that is quickly becoming one of the most popular types of flooring.

Answer 5

The laminate flooring is made of fiberboard and fake wood finish while hardwood flooring ismade 100% of wood.