On the Couch with Taniya Nayak

Hardwood or Laminate?

What advice do you have for someone deciding between hardwoods and laminates for their home? What are the benefits of each kind of flooring?

TN: Nothing beats the beauty of hardwoods, but laminates offer a lot of technical advantages. Traffic is one of the biggest issues. If you have pets or high traffic, you may want to go with a laminate. The finish warranties on most hardwoods address the finish wearing off, but not dulling. Also, hardwoods aren't impervious to dents, so if that is a concern, go with a laminate.