When it comes to replacing flooring, many people begin to compare traditional types of flooring with modern materials. Most often the choice arises between laminate , parquet and laminated parquet, to know what the difference between them is for every owner who is planning to engage in serious repairs.
Advantages and disadvantages of natural parquet
Now this material is produced from domestic wood species and exotic wood (wenge, merbau, bamboo). It usually takes dried for a few months edged board, which is cut into blanks, removing natural defects in the form of knots, twisted places and cracks. Then grooves with ridges are created, material is polished and finished.
Quality parquet with proper care is good for many decades with periodic cosmetic repairs. It is noiseless, warm, has an original natural pattern, not static, looks very good in the interior. The tree is susceptible to restoration, grinding and re-treatment with varnish.
To fully assess the question, what is the difference between parquet and laminate, you need to know the shortcomings of the coating. For example, a parquet is scratched by shoes or sharp objects, it is afraid of spilled water, its laying is rather difficult. With strong jumps in temperature or humidity, the coating can deform. The varnish is capable of releasing unpleasant substances, so some people prefer to take the unprocessed board and periodically rub it with wax or natural oils.
Advantages and disadvantages of laminate
This material consists of a real complex "pie" - a stabilizing layer (special paper or plastic), a carrier layer (fiberboard, chipboard), decorative and protective coating. From ultraviolet quality laminate does not burn out, its service life is less - up to 20 years. Note that the laminate is much less likely to suffer from climatic changes, sharp furniture legs and heels. You have the opportunity to buy very different in coloring artificial floors, imitating any kind of wood and even stone. Laminate is well suited for those who plan to equip the house with floor heating. The disadvantages include the static nature of this coating, it requires treatment with special compounds. In addition, such a floor is colder and noisy, it is almost indestructible.
Let's sum up our review, what is the difference between laminate and parquet. If you are concerned about wear resistance, ease of maintenance and resistance to temperature fluctuations, it is better to take a laminate. But those who appreciate the look and durability, it is worth to buy a century-tested parquet.