Why Is 100% Waterproof Such an Important Feature?
Real hardwood brings things to a room that laminate cannot fully replicate — the natural depth of genuine wood, the warmth underfoot, and the ability to be sanded and refinished over the life of the floor. For homeowners who prioritise those qualities and are willing to invest in them, hardwood is still the stronger direction.
But hardwood also comes with a higher installation cost, more sensitivity to moisture, and long-term care requirements that not every household wants to take on. For homeowners who want the visual direction of hardwood without those trade-offs, laminate is a direct and practical alternative at a much lower cost.
At $3.99 per square foot including installation, that comparison is concrete. Multiple rooms can be updated in the same project at a price that hardwood could not come close to.