Laminate flooring offers some advantages over hardwood flooring, but that doesn’t mean it is the right choice for all consumers. But if you give her enough information to make an informed decision, she will be happy with her purchase, become a repeat customer and probably tell a bunch of her friends about her positive experience.

First, the visuals. Can you tell the difference between a hardwood and laminate floor? When you look at a laminate floor you will see the pattern repeat itself, whereas on a real wood floor these marks would be totally random. The frequency of the pattern that is printed onto laminate flooring can be repeated every third or fourth board, but in some cases all boards are identical in appearance. The other sign of a hardwood floor is it dents more easily and generally doesn’t stand up to heavy traffic, unlike laminate flooring.

If your customer prefers the character of hardwood that develops with time, and her budget will allow, hardwood may be the better option. A hardwood floor generally costs 20% to 25% more than an identical laminate floor.

Laminate flooring is a highly durable product, but if it gets scratched or worn, then it cannot be refinished like solid hardwood flooring, which can simply be sanded down and refinished like new. However, laminate flooring withstands heavy traffic from normal family life, and is easy to install and care for.

The choice between laminate flooring and real wood flooring can depend on a few different situations. Ask your customer to consider the following when making her decision.

• The location of the property and its current style can determine the choice. Does the current value of your customer’s property warrant the expense of high-end hardwood flooring?

• Is she looking to increase the resale value of her property? Then she needs to consider the investment value of her new floor, and the amount by which it may increase the value of her property.

• Does she plan on staying in her current property for a while to make full use of her floor, or is she looking to sell the property in the near future?

• If she has a budget, then it may be better to install good quality laminate flooring than lesser quality hardwood flooring.

• Laminate flooring offers some durability advantages vs. hardwood flooring. Ask the customer what type of traffic and abuse her new floor will have to withstand.

Other benefits of laminate flooring:

• Some laminate flooring is available in water resistant and waterproof ranges and can therefore be installed in bathrooms. Hardwood would be much more unstable in this kind of environment because of the humidity levels.

• Laminate flooring usually comes with a 10- to 15-year warranty against staining and fading from sunlight.

• Most laminate flooring can withstand household accidents such as cigarette burns, bleach spills, etc.

• Laminate flooring is more resistant to scratches and furniture marks, and it is also up to 15 times stronger than a hardwood floor.

• Unlike hardwood floors, laminate flooring doesn’t need re-sanding or refinishing. However, this can be to its disadvantage over a period of time as the laminate flooring could eventually need replacing, whereas the solid hardwood floor could be sanded down and refinished like new once again, but it is a major disruption for the consumer and her family. Replacing a laminate, on the other hand, is a relatively simple—and clean—process.