There are so many different flooring options in the market that it can prove difficult to settle on one. Hardwood offers a natural wood finish, but it's pricey. Laminate floors offer a much more affordable alternative.
Here are some of the pros and cons of laminate flooring and why you might want them.
Pros of Laminate Floors
Laminate floors are a type that is made to mimic traditional wood floors. They're made out of a surface layer of thin sheets of paper with an inner core of melamine resin and fiberboard materials. Some of the benefits they bring include affordability, variety, and easy installation and maintenance.Different Types of Floors
When you browse laminate flooring, you should quickly discover that they come in a wide variety of prints. They're available in lighter and darker tones, as well as different color variations. You can also search for different patterns.For example, the laminate floor pieces you purchase may come together to look like many small, differently colored slabs of wood. You can find floor options that appear more like larger pieces of wood. There's even laminate flooring made to look like stone or marble.
Consistent Appearance
Regardless of what you purchase, you can expect a durable product that won't fade or scratch easily.The inner composite timber material is flexible and hard-wearing. The outermost coat or layer of laminate floorboards is both scratch and UV resistance. It's a great option if your home has high traffic and lots of natural light.
Affordability
One of the main reasons people turn to laminate instead of hardwood flooring is the price. Laminate floor pieces are much more affordable than natural timber. This is partly because it's made from composite wood that has been compressed together and given an artificial appearance.Prices will vary depending on where you purchase them. At the very least, you can expect laminate to cost at least a third of what you'd pay for solid hardwood floors.
Additionally, it's easy to replace any damaged floor planks as long as there were extras leftover after installation.
Easy Installation
Another benefit of laminate floors is that they're easy to install. Aside from what's in your toolbox, all you need is the flooring, underlayment and tape, and scrap wood spacers.Some laminate comes as peel-and-stick flooring. These have an adhesive backing that can stick to your floor. They don't always require an underlayment, but some manufacturers recommend using a primer to improve how long the floor can stick.
Other laminate floor panels interlock with one another, which makes it easy to install as well as line them up without spaces. These require the underlayment to absorb sound, make them softer to walk on, and avoid gaps or bumps.
Simple to Maintain
All laminate options are easy to maintain. Spills and marks wipe away without soaking into the floor. You can sweep and vacuum without issue since they won't have grout lines like tile does.When cleaning laminate floors, try to avoid abrasive cleaners or rough tools. Mop them every two months with something gentle like diluted dish soap. Avoid anything that'll leave streaks or dissolve the outer coating.
Cons of Laminate Floors
Although laminate floors come with many benefits, there are some things to keep in mind before you purchase them. Despite differing from hardwood floors in composition, they're technically still made up of wood. You can expect some of the same issues that plague hardwood floors to also affect laminate flooring.Not Moisture-Proof
The first issue is that laminate floors are not immune to moisture. Any kind of wood product will fare poorly if it's kept in a wet or humid environment and does not have any protection. That's why you should avoid using laminate floors in bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms.There are ways to give extra waterproofing to laminate floors, though. For example, there is moisture resistant floor underlayment that can help with any type of flooring used. You could also apply a polyurethane coating, though it may damage the flooring and void your warranty.
May Look Artificial
Laminate is made to mimic the look of hardwood without costing nearly as much. However, you won't get a true-to-reality appearance for a few different reasons.First, the printed image will likely repeat throughout your floor. Second, it's possible to purchase laminate that comes in a shade that doesn't exist in the real world. Finally, the finished product won't look as genuine as real hardwood, and it won't increase the resale value of your home.
Difficult to Repair
Although laminate is more affordable than hardwood, it can't be refinished and repaired like it.With natural wood floors, you can always sand them back and refinish them to improve their appearance. You can't do that with laminate flooring or you'd shave away at the photographic layer.
If one or more of your laminate planks were damaged, you'd have to tear it out and replace it. This is easy enough if you have leftover planks from when you first installed them.
However, the new plank may stick out from the rest if the others have faded over the years. You may also struggle to find the same exact style of laminate if it's been a while since you bought them.
Buy Some New Flooring Today
If you're renovating your home, laminate floors are a great option for the areas with higher traffic. They're an affordable way to get wood floors and are easy to install. Just keep in mind that you don't use them in areas with high moisture, like your bathroom.National Floors Direct is the place to go if you need new flooring for your home. We stock everything from carpet, hardwood, vinyl, laminate, and more. Contact us for a free in-home estimate and to learn more.
