The lowdown on laminate vs. marble

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/06/2002 (8653 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The look:

Marble is elegant, classic, and formal. Either ‘natural’ (genuine) or ‘synthetic’ (cultured marble), it comes in veined shades — gray on white, white on black, and many variations of greens, reds and ochres from subtle to dramatic.

Laminate flooring, much like its countertop cousin, mimics the look of almost any material including hardwood, ceramic tile, stone, marble or vinyl in a huge range of colours, so laminate can complement any dcor. Even though it mimics natural materials (slate, marble, etc.) a laminate floor will have repeating patterns, unlike the naturals.

Biggest Advantages:

Marble — The beauty of a natural floor. Nothing is more luxurious than genuine marble, with cultured marble running a very close second.

Laminate — Easy-care. Can be installed over an existing floor. An excellent option for cottages, basements, mud rooms, halls, kitchens, kids’ rooms and any high traffic area.

The feel:

Like all natural stone floors, marble creates a hard and cold floor. Polished (glossy) marble tiles are slippery when wet. Tiles with a honed or tumbled finish have a duller appearance, but they offer better traction (dirt and damage are also less easy to see on any low-gloss floor). Marble floors are noisy to walk on.

Laminate feels like a vinyl floor. It can also be noisy unless installed over a foam underlay.

Lifespan:

Marble will last forever, but its good looks may not. It is porous, so it can easily stain, and is also damaged by chlorine. Marble can be sealed for protection from dirt, stains and moisture. Damaged marble can be professionally resurfaced, although this is both messy and expensive.

Laminate hasn’t been around long enough to tell about its longevity, but it “can take a lot of punishment,” says Bill Knight of Bill Knight Flooring & Carpets. “Laminate is pretty much bullet-proof!” Unlike the natural floors it imitates, it can not be refinished if it is damaged.

Installation:

Marble, like ceramic and stone, requires a strong subfloor to support the weight. Must be properly installed (paying attention to the direction of the veins) to look good.

Laminate is installed over a pad. Laminate tiles and slabs used to be glue-down; but now are mostly click and lock, says installer Wylie Knight of Bill Knight Flooring. “So you have a floating floor that is much more user-friendly if you decide to install it yourself.”

Care required:

Marble needs only damp mopping. Easily damaged by either acidic or alkaline cleaners.

Laminate, like vinyl, is easy to maintain, but needs to be protected from the usual culprits to any floor: scrapping chairs on it or the sharp claws of pets.

Cost:

Marble is available as tiles of various sizes and in a variety of textures (larger rooms require the scale of larger tiles).Cost varies, depending on choice of genuine or cultured marble, tile size, marble thickness and finish. In Winnipeg, you will pay from about six dollars to fifty dollars per square foot, plus installation.

Laminate comes in a wide range of prices — expect to pay in the range of two to nine dollars a square foot, not including the underlay pad or installation.

PHOTO RUTH BONNEVILLE/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS