What is parquet or laminate flooring? Its pros n cons?

Wood becomes a perfect option for renovating the house’s floors: it provides warmth and elegance and is comfortable and very decorative. And the same happens with some of the materials that imitate it, such as laminate flooring, which offers a similar and realistic appearance while avoiding some of the drawbacks of wood. 

The natural beauty of parquet

It is a natural flooring made of authentic wood that is very special and decorative. So much so that it is capable of enhancing any environment in your home.

However, that natural touch and that beauty are not inalterable. For example, parquet floors are made of living material and can change their appearance and colour due to time, the sun’s rays or temperature changes.

Laminate flooring: an attractive option

Among the many attractions that laminate floors present, resistance and solid appearance are among the most outstanding. They are made of boards with a compact wooden base with a printed sheet on top that imitates the appearance of wood, protected by a protective layer.

Although in the past the appearance of laminate floors left a lot to be desired, today very reliable imitations are made. However, they are sometimes difficult to distinguish from natural wood floors. In addition, the laminates remain unchanged despite the passage of time.

Question of resistance

Comparing parquet flooring with laminate flooring to find out which one suits you best involves analyzing the most significant advantages of each and its drawbacks.

If there are many of you at home and you have small children, you will need resistant flooring that stoically supports the intense use of the whole family. And the same happens if you live with pets, especially dogs. Laminate flooring becomes the best option in these cases due to its high resistance and low maintenance.

On the contrary, the parquet deteriorates more quickly and needs some care to keep it in good condition. Therefore, the wood must be protected and treated with the appropriate products and nourished from time to time.

An excellent wooden floor is a delight for those who love to walk around the house barefoot. Not only is it warm, but being a natural material, wood is somewhat elastic, which is noticeable when you step on it.

On the contrary, laminate flooring, made of compact materials, is more rigid, less flexible, and cold. To improve this last aspect, installing an excellent insulating layer under the pavement is essential.

 Beware of humidity

There is an idea that parquet is not suitable for kitchens and bathrooms because they are areas with excessive humidity, while laminate flooring can be installed in these spaces.

However, this is not entirely true. Both floors offer limited resistance to humidity (although woods withstand it better, such as iroko or teak), so they need to seal the joints between the planks (also in the case of laminates).

If the water penetrates through any crack and reaches the lower layer, the floor will lift, no matter how laminated.

If you want to install laminate in your bathroom, protect it with a specific treatment that makes it waterproof.

The installation process

This is one of the aspects in which parquet and laminate differ. The first is considerably more challenging to install and requires the intervention of a professional. It can be placed by fixing the boards with adhesive or assembling them without glue.

On the other hand, laminate flooring is installed much more easily and quickly thanks to its click or tongue-and-groove system. So much so that you can do it yourself, laying the new pavement over the one you already had without removing it.

The importance of the insulating base

Preparing the floor most conveniently is essential for both parquet and laminate. From the point of view of temperature, the base helps you to mitigate the cold of the flooring and to make the step warmer and more pleasant, which is more critical when it comes to laminate floors.

In addition, the base also performs an acoustic insulation function, mitigating the sound of footsteps and making them quieter.

The insulating layer material can smooth out minor irregularities in the floor for more accurate levelling.

Cost matters

Because quality floors, whether parquet or laminate, have a higher price, it could be said that the latter is more affordable than the former.

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In other words, a parquet floor is more expensive than a laminate floor not only because of the material itself but also because of the installation, which, being more complex and having to be carried out by a professional, makes the price more expensive.

However, it is essential to remember that the cost of a high-end laminate floor can be very similar to that of a good parquet floor.

Cleaning and maintenance

Laminate is the best option if you need an easy-to-maintain floor that does not give you headaches. To clean it, vacuum it frequently and scrub it from time to time with water and neutral soap.

If you prefer a more natural solution, you can use hot water and white vinegar to clean it. Don’t use oil-based cleaners because they leave residue and dull the shine.

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Parquet, on the other hand, requires more care and maintenance since, in addition to vacuuming and cleaning it with a specific soap that does not contain silicones or waxes, it is essential to provide it with the nutrition it needs.