Laminate floors are the more affordable choice, as they are “imitation” wood. However, they have some qualities that even rank them above the traditional hardwood. Today's laminate flooring comes in a huge array of styles, colors, and textures that are more realistic than ever. The laminate looks include exotic hardwoods such as Brazilian Cherry, Mahogany, and Walnut, the classics of Oak, Pine, and Maple, or the styling of tiles like Granite, Marble, and Ceramic. Because of the materials used in the construction of laminate flooring, it is an extremely hard, durable material. All laminate flooring, even discount laminate floors, are finished with aluminum-oxide. This is a hard, smooth finish. A laminate floor is easy to clean, and will never need to be refinished. Laminate also doesn’t fade, is highly stain resistant, and does not need to be buffed or polished.

Laminate floors can be installed as a do-it-yourself project. Although professional installation is recommended, laminate floors can be installed personally. Laminate floors are known as “floating floors”, and are not attached to the subfloor. No messy glue or nails are required for installation. The pieces interlock in a unique click and lock system. In areas of high traffic, or even after a considerable amount of time has passed, laminate flooring may start lifting or warping. It is advisable to buy some extra flooring at the initial purchase for future repairs.

Hardwood floors retain that old-style charm so loved by many, but they can be pricey. Sometimes, there is nothing like the real thing when you are looking for a hardwood floor. Wood has a genuine beauty and warmth that is hard to beat. Hardwood floors will always sound the way they should when walked on, and they’re made to last forever. However, cleaning and maintenance can also cost money in the long run. Nicks and scratches are a fact of life with a hardwood floor, and refinishing can be costly and time-consuming. Hardwood floors must be installed by trained professionals who will get the job done right.

This is a guest post provided by Afforda Floors, a leading online floor retailer. They offer a wide variety of flooring options, and have home remodeling experts on hand to help with discount laminate flooring, discount hardwood flooring, and all your flooring needs. Afforda Floors offers competitive pricing, and exemplary service.