SIOUX FALLS, SD, May 23, 2013—Whether buying or selling, you may know that one of the most sought after home amenities is hardwood flooring. Wood is beautiful, classy and timeless. When listing an older home, original hardwood flooring is one of the best selling points. However, if hardwood doesn’t fit your lifestyle or budget, and you’re still coveting that glossy, natural look, you may want to consider laminating. 
Douglas Nelson, Broker/Owner of HJN Team Real Estate goes over the some lessons in laminate, below. 

“Laminate wood flooring is made from composite wood pressed together at high temperatures,” explains Nelson. “Then, the image of hardwood is covered over the composite wood to form the laminate.” This is cheaper to buy than hardwood, and the installation is jarringly less expensive—often 50 percent less. 

Laminate floors have a long lifespan, and a few simple guidelines can help extend the life of your laminate even further.

Keep it clean. “This is crucial,” says Nelson. “Cleaning weekly can really help in the long run.” Avoid letting dust and dirt accumulate by placing rugs or doormats at entrances and suggesting family members and guests remove their shoes on entrance. Weekly vacuuming and sweeping goes a long way, too.

“Laminate flooring is easier to clean on a routine basis than hardwood, but be sure you don't use abrasive cleaners or tools such as steel wool or scouring powder,” warns Nelson. These can scratch.

“Unlike hardwood, laminate doesn't require waxes or varnishes to keep its sheen,” says Nelson. “In fact, wax, soap and detergents can leave a residue, so avoid them all together.” And don't use wood polish on your laminate floor.

One major drawback of laminate flooring is that although it has a long lifespan, if it does need to be repaired, it does not repair easily. Unlike hardwood, which can be repaired by sanding and refinishing out imperfections, laminate is often hard to repair by section. If you buy flooring that comes in individual pieces and snapped together, you may be able to replace it. However, depending on sunlight and age, the new piece may not match properly. 

Consider the pros and cons of laminate versus hardwood before making any renovations. If selling your home and looking for a leg up, you may want to consider ripping up that carpet and putting in laminate. Are you a buyer dead-set on a hardwood home? Consider laminate instead. 

For more information on home pricing, please contact HJN Team Real Estate at Doug@HJNTeam.com, 605-339-4456, or HJN Team Real Estate.

HJN Team Real Estate was established in 1973 on the foundations of training, technology, team effort, and most of all, trust. Our success over the years has proven that adhering to these foundations ensures long term success for our clients. Our passion is not selling homes, it is helping out clients achieve their dreams. HJN Team Real Estate continues to work as a team to provide the best customer service from the start to the finish of a real estate transaction. Whether residential or commercial, HJN Team Real Estate has the REALTOR to meet your needs.