You could compare the difference between laminate wood flooring and real wood flooring to the distinction between obtaining a real tree and a fake tree in your garden. The real tree may have stood there for a hundred years plus and is at this point infected and decaying, or it might be a newly planted sapling that stands to grow into something absolutely stunning. The fake tree may be a low cost and tacky plastic-fantastic replica, or a flawlessly replica of the real thing. It doesn’t matter at all. Beauty is within the eye of the beholder, after all, and aesthetically speaking there isn’t any reason why an individual should favour one over the other (not merely one that stretches beyond the limits of your person’s personal tastes, anyway). Or is there?

A real tree can grow and change over time, but a synthetic tree is frozen in time (ignoring the predictable affect of weathering for now). These might be the principle variations between art and nature, but the same cannot necessarily be claimed with regards to wood flooring. A fake tree won’t need any care and attention unlike a real tree will need to be shielded from infection. A real wood floor would also require more care compared to a laminate alternative, requiring occasional refinishing with oil or stain, whilst a laminate floor will stay looking like new by using only the quantity of regular cleaning normally necessary for both.

A real tree typically needs specific types of conditions to thrive and you will also have to be extremely cautious where you plant one (especially if you take into account the possible possibility of subsidence taking place if rooted too close to your property). But, when it come to an artificial tree, there is no danger of subsidence and can be positioned basically anywhere. It isn’t exactly the same in terms of flooring obviously, though there are certainly some resemblances, despite this metaphor getting increasingly tenuous.

Solid wood flooring has a number of environmental limitations that govern where it can be safely fitted. High moisture areas (just like on top of concrete surfaces) or areas at risk of spillages (e.g. bathrooms) are not suitable locations to install solid wood flooring. Even though there now exists water resistant choices of laminate flooring which are perfect for rooms like bathrooms, not all are safeguarded from spillages and dampness, therefore, you need to be cautious while making your choice. Also, due to the fact that solid wood disfavors climate changes, you can not usually install it over under-floor heating. Most laminate flooring can often be installed with under-floor heating, though searching for specialist advice on this situation is usually suggested prior to deciding to try it.

Now, just like a real tree and a fake tree, a real tree might be preferable, however it is not always practical. If you don’t have a garden (or your garden is not on ground level) and you still desire to have something that looks like a tree, the only choice is to buy a synthetic equivalent (or simply a pot-plant). If you want the appearance of real wood flooring but either cannot afford one, or it wouldn’t be practical to install one, then laminate flooring might be the best choice. If, however, cost isn’t an issue and there aren’t any other problems to contend with (and it definitely has to be the real thing with no exceptions), then solid wood is often the ideal choice as well as being a good investment for your house.

The choice on whether you choose laminate flooring or solid wood flooring is ultimately down to you. However, always take in to account the many benefits and negatives of each type of flooring and choose what will work best for you in the long run.