Trading Real Wood for Fake Wood: Pros and Cons
Whether you are building a new home, renovating an old one, or just deciding it is time for a change, switching up your flooring is a major step as a homeowner. The factors you have to consider when picking it are endless. Replacing wood is especially difficult because of the ever-growing engineered hardwood, laminate, and LVT options that are available. There are so many different designs, textures, prices, and qualities to choose from here at Georgia Carpet Industries. We understand this and have compiled a pros and cons list to help narrow down your decision. If you are looking to replace solid hardwood flooring with a faux wood floor, here are some things to consider.
Pros of Switching to Faux Wood Flooring (Laminate, Engineered, and LVT/LVP):
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Durability/Maintenance
When purchasing flooring, one of the first aspects you look into is how it will hold up according to your needs. A major pro of faux wood floors is its scratch resistance and easy maintenance. With solid hardwood, it has a tendency to easily scratch and show wear since it is made from natural materials. Excessive moisture will cause it to cup, leaving you with costly replacements. Hardwood is generally a higher maintenance flooring. It requires resanding and repolishing every several years to maintain its quality. Engineered hardwood is a suitable in-between for faux and real wood. It has the timeless look of wood with the worry-free maintenance and scratch-resistance of faux wood. Laminate floors are constructed of pressed wood, making them more durable against wear and tear. They are also water-resistant so cleaning up pet messes or spills is simple. You don’t have to worry about permanent damage to your floors. LVT/LVP on the other hand is the winner when it comes to waterproofing. Its synthetic makeup is perfect for cleaning and spilling since it doesn’t absorb a lot of moisture.
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Pricing/Cost
Another major factor in picking out flooring is cost. Solid hardwood is generally more pricey since it is made from harvested trees. There are more resources put into crafting these planks and depending on the wood type you want, it can get expensive. This is especially true if you are planning to redo or floor an entire house with the same wood. Faux wood definitely is the winner when it comes to pricing. You get the same look of solid hardwood without the massive price tag. Both have a little variance in cost, based on what style/wood type you want but overall, faux wood won’t break your bank.
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Installation
Based on where you want to place your flooring, faux wood has a major advantage over hardwood. Solid wood cannot be installed in basements/below grade level due to moisture. It also can be more expensive based on which installation method you choose. The various faux wood options offer easier installation on any level. A majority of engineered hardwood, LVT/LVP, and laminate can be installed over radiant heat systems while solid hardwood does not have this ability. Overall, faux wood is more versatile when it comes to installation and grade levels.
Cons of Switching to Faux Wood Flooring:
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Difficult Repairs
With solid hardwood, refinishing a furniture drag scratch is easy. A sander and some polish will have the flooring looking like new. It can be patched back together and still hold the same quality. Faux wood is not quite as simple. You can’t just buff out marks and dents, there are more factors that go into it. These floors require specific repair kits that can become costly over time. In some cases, replacing a whole plank may be needed. This poses another difficulty of finding/buying a replacement, matching it, and having it installed or cut to fit.
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Artificial Look
While there are many good imitations of hardwood, every single one pales in comparison to the look of 100% solid flooring. Faux wood floors attempt to recreate what nature formed and though they are beautiful in their own ways, they lack the rich character of the wood. Synthetic/man-made products will always strive to look like the nature-made ones. The simple graining and knots found in real wood cannot be mimicked through craftsmanship.
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Lacks the same quality/timelessness
Solid hardwood came before the many synthetic options we have now. Its long-lasting quality and traditional look has still remained the standard for years. Faux hardwood has its perks but it does not have the same value (price and quality-wise) as real hardwood. If you are looking to make a long-term investment, solid hardwood is where it is. By having such high-quality flooring, it adds value to a home if you are trying to resell or rent.
After weighing a few of these pros and cons, are you ready to trade your real wood for faux? Or maybe you want to keep your solid hardwood? Whatever your choice may be, we have tons of options available here at Georgia Carpet Industries. You can visit us online at georgiacarpet.com or in-store. Request a quote today!
