The Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring

Undergoing a laminate wood flooring installation project is the perfect way to add visual appeal to your flooring without the expense or intensive labor of hardwood. When replacing carpet, tile or aging linoleum, floating laminate flooring can be a great option for rejuvenating the look and feel of the space.
At the same time, laminate wood flooring has the same balance of benefits and flaws that any other commercially successful option does. Weigh your options carefully when deciding what you want by consulting this quick guide to pros and cons of laminate flooring.

Pro — The Look of Wood

Laminate flooring is of such high quality these days that most people cannot tell the difference between it and real hardwood planks. Some even mimic aged or hand-scraped woods on the higher end of the spectrum.

Con — Noisy

Not a huge deal for some, but the distinctive “click clack” of walking on laminate flooring can bug some homeowners. This effect can be mitigated with a sound-absorbing underlayer.

Pro — Low Cost

At less than $2.00 a sq ft for most products, laminates top the list of inexpensive flooring options that resemble hardwood. Installation costs are low, too, since many click-lock products can be installed professionally in just a few hours.

Con — Does Not Add Much Resale Value

The trade-off to an inexpensive flooring product is that it cannot provide nearly as much of a return on investment value compared to actually shelling out for real hardwood floors, according to the National Association of Realtors. Nevertheless, they are a cheap way to improve the look and functionality of flooring in damaged areas before a sale.

Pro — Comes Pre-Finished

One of the troubles of normal wood flooring is that installation is often half the battle. The product must usually be stained for the proper appearance and then finished with a protective coating like polyurethane.
Laminate floors come pre-coated with a hard enamel layer that stands up to wear and protects the printed design underneath.

Con — Relatively Not Very Durable

Make sure your laminate flooring is rated to handle the project you intend to use it for. Many manufacturers offer higher AC-rated products to let purchasers know how well they can stand up to traffic. An AC 3 rating is good for most residential uses, for instance, while an AC 4 rating is better-suited for high traffic areas like entrances or hallways.
The drawback to laminate’s durability comes from the fact that once the outer layer is worn, it cannot be refinished like normal hardwood flooring. Replacing individual pieces is almost always possible, though.

Pro — Super Easy to Clean

With a high-gloss finish, laminate floors are incredibly easy to vacuum or dust. They can also stand up well to damp mopping, as long as no standing water is left for too long.

Con — Not Friendly with Water

No hardwood product is a friend of water, but the layered nature of laminate means that the product can peel or swell quite easily if subjected to repeated water exposure. Spills are fine, but no installing laminate in the bathroom! You should also use a vapor barrier when installing it in moisture-prone areas like over concrete basements.

Consult with a Contractor and Find the Best Price on Laminate Flooring Installation with ServiceWhale
Still cannot make up your mind? ServiceWhale makes it easy to get answers from real contractors in your area along with actual quotes for your project. Fill out this simple form to get started and make sure to ask for their advice on which laminate floor product would be best for your project.