What is better parquet or laminate?

It is necessary to choose a floor covering wisely, so that it would not be excruciatingly insulting. The floors in the apartment serve us for a long time, changing them is more difficult and more expensive than decorating the walls or ceiling. Most often, the question of choice arises between the flooring and the laminate.

Environmental friendliness

The main advantage of parquet is environmental friendliness, because parquet is natural wood.

But you need to consider that the tree itself may contain toxins, and that the parquet is laid on glue and varnished, which can also be toxic. Meanwhile, a modern laminate is not the same piece of plastic stuffed with formaldehyde that was sold 15-20 years ago. Today's high-quality laminate has the same environmental safety code as parquet - E1.

Cost

Parquet is expensive, but high-quality laminate from leading manufacturers is expensive. But the installation at the price is very different - the cost of laying parquet is almost equal to the cost of the material itself, and laying it yourself is very, very difficult.

Here the laminate wins - it is easy to assemble, so the installation is cheap, and it’s easy to lay it without professional help.

Appearance

Laminate undoubtedly has more choice of colors and textures. But the parquet looks expensive, elegant, prestigious (and, by the way, that’s why it doesn’t always suit some styles of the modern interior). There is a laminate, which is almost indistinguishable in appearance and texture from parquet, but it is “almost” - artificial material will never become a noble parquet.

Practicality

Here the "palm" is definitely behind the laminate. It is more resistant to moisture, temperature changes, punching, it is easy to care for it. Parquet is demanding of external conditions and care. Its plus is in the warm and cozy atmosphere of the house that it creates. And, unlike laminate flooring, parquet does not attract dust.

Durability

A good parquet with proper care will last for many decades.

There are old buildings where the parquet remains in its original condition from the date of installation for several hundred years. But you hardly dream of leaving the parquet in your apartment as a legacy to children and grandchildren. We make repairs every 5-10 years, and during this time, tastes can change, and ideas about the beautiful. Laminate, depending on the quality, will "stand" for 10-15 years.

The choice is yours. Take a closer look at each material, evaluate the advantages and disadvantages, decide which advantages are priority for you.