Frequently Asked Questions

At Hartwell Flooring, we understand the importance of having quality flooring that not only looks great but also adds value to your home or business. That's why we offer a wide range of flooring options, including hardwood, tile, vinyl, and carpet. Our team of experts is dedicated to helping you find the perfect flooring solution for your space, and we pride ourselves on our exceptional customer service and competitive pricing.

LAMINATE, HARDWOOD FLOORING DIFFERENCES

Differences;

Laminate flooring and hardwood flooring may look the same, there are many differences. Cost, maintenance, life span and installation. Laminate flooring is less expensive and if need be, could be refinished. Laminate flooring is made of fiberboards which resembles real wood. 

The laminate flooring is 6mm to 12mm thick. Laminate flooring is manufactured with wedges which snap together.

Hardwood flooring is a natural flooring material made of softwood like pine or hardwood like oak. Hardwood flooring can either be pre-finished in the factory or site-finished by the installer with stain and a protective coating. Hardwood flooring must be nailed to subfloor.

Hardwood flooring is better for appearance and lifespan. Laminate flooring is better for cost, ease of installation and comfort. Overall, hardwood flooring is better than laminate flooring since it is a complete floor material, not simply a floor covering. Hardwood is a premium material.

Appearance

• Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring can look exactly like real hardwood flooring from a distance due to crisp graphics and surface embossing. Close inspection, however, reveals the laminate to be a copy of real wood. Laminate flooring is smooth and comfortable to walk on due to its soft foam underlayment.

• Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is, of course, real wood. Some hardwood boards may be flawed, but these are typically culled out (meaning that they are often pulled from inventory because of the flaw or damage). Hardwood is smooth underfoot, but it is hard. That’s why area rugs and runners are often a good idea with hardwood.

Hardwood flooring is better for appearance. Laminate flooring is better for comfort.

Maintenance and Care

• Laminate Flooring

You must always keep laminate flooring dry and can’t let water pool. Accordingly, you should only clean laminate flooring with a soft broom, a dry mop or a slightly damp mop. If damaged, laminated flooring cannot be refinished. Damage boards must be removed and replaced.

• Hardwood Flooring

You should also keep hardwood flooring dry. Hardwood floor cleaning is limited to dry or slightly damp mops or brooms. Damaged hardwood flooring can be sanded down and refinished.

Though laminate flooring and hardwood flooring are equally averse to moisture, hardwood flooring can be refinished if it is damaged. Laminate flooring cannot be refinished.

Lifespan

• Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring’s average lifespan is estimated at around 15 to 25 years if well-maintained. Laminate floors typically come with limited warranties that cover stains, normal wear, fading and manufacturing defects. Some warranties range for 30 years.

• Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood floors can last up to 100 years with proper maintenance. Durable hardwoods may last even longer. Hardwood floors made of softwoods like pine, cypress, cedar or spruce may last up to 50 years, especially in high-traffic homes.

Installation

• Laminate Flooring

As a floating floor, laminate is easy to install, even for do-it-yourselfers with basic skills. After a foam underlayment is rolled out, the planks are installed on top and attached side to side. Floating floors are not attached to the subfloor. Laminate flooring often has a pre-attached underlayment, eliminating the need for separate underlayment.

• Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is typically not a do-it-yourself project. You’ll need to rent a floor Nailer or stapler, and it requires some learning time. You’ll also need to cut hard wood flooring with an electric miter saw. If the hardwood flooring is unfinished, it must be sanded and site finished.

Water, Heat and Environment

• Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is considered by manufacturers to be water-resistant as long as the seams are tightly sealed, and water is quickly removed. Laminate flooring is not recommended for high-moisture spaces like bathrooms. You can also install laminate flooring over radiant heating systems.

• Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is not recommended for areas that experience moisture or for below-grade (basement) installations. Hardwood flooring can be installed over radiant heating systems, but the heat may have a long-term detrimental effect on the wood, causing wood to crack and seams to open up.