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The Benefits of Choosing Laminate Flooring Instead of Real Stone

By: andrewbimbo

If you are torn between stone and laminate you should research the pros and cons of both before making a choice. Both of these materials offer their own benefits and drawbacks. When speaking of stone floors, this refers to materials like slate, granite and of course marble. You can find a wide variety of natural stone floors for both the interior and exterior living areas of your home. Stone lasts a long time, and certainly looks elegant. However it can be susceptible to cracking and chipping. Also, you may not be comfortable when standing on stone for extended periods of time because of its hardness. Stone is also prone to staining if not properly maintained.

Laminate, on the other hand, rarely stains, cracks, chips or fades. It is engineered to be durable, stable and comfortable. Usually it has a padded inner core and sometimes an attached underlayment. This adds to comfort of those standing and walking on the floor and sometimes helps to muffle sound. Laminate floors are usually treated with an aluminum oxide enriched finish that protects against damage from even heavy foot traffic.

While there's no denying the beauty of a stone floor, you would be surprised at how similar laminate can look. Many people cannot tell the difference between a real stone floor and a laminate floor unless you tell them. From the color to the texture and beyond, the laminate floors of today are very realistic and give you the authentic appearance of stone without the disadvantages. While stone can be time consuming to install laminate is not, as the pieces fit together neatly without adhesive. Even though laminate is coated with a glossy clear finish it is not as slippery as stone can be.

For most residential applications, laminate floors win out over stone. Unless you are wealthy enough to be living in a mansion or want stone flooring for a small entry area or foyer laminate is probably the more economical and sensible choice. Both stone and laminate have good qualities as well as undesirable ones for some homeowners. By comparing the two materials side by side you may come to a decision regarding which one you prefer.

Article Source: Main Articles

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