The Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring in the Kitchen

If you are in the process of remodeling your New York kitchen, you’ve probably found yourself making countless decisions: countertops, cabinets, faucets… sometimes it feels like the decisions may never end! For instance, many homeowners are sure they want new kitchen floors, but they aren’t sure where to start.

From tile to hardwoods, new floors can be the most daunting aspect of remodeling. Another popular flooring choice is laminate—but how do you know if laminate is right for you? If you’re stuck between a few options, here is what you should keep in mind when it comes to laminate flooring.

Cost

The obvious benefit to installing laminate flooring is the cost. Hardwood floors are initially quite expensive and usually sell for $8-$15 per square foot; laminate flooring can sell for as low as $3 per square foot. Of course, this all depends on the quality of wood and installation costs, but if affordability is your main priority, laminate could be your best bet. Check local prices to determine what works best for your budget and use ServiceWhale to compare estimates from New York flooring contractors.

Appearance

Hardwood floors are universally admired for their elegance, and tile is equally as popular because it’s usually available in a variety of styles and colors. Since laminate is man-made, it can be engineered to look like any surface and still be a lovely element to add to your home. Still, some homeowners simply prefer the look and feel of real hardwoods or other floor surfaces. Consider your preference before disregarding laminate completely.

Convenience

Many homeowners prefer laminate flooring because of its versatility and convenience. Unlike hardwood flooring, laminate can be installed over an existing floor (which is why laminate is also referred to as a “floating floor”). Like we mentioned above, laminate can also be made to look like several floor surfaces, making it the perfect option if you want affordable flooring that is practically indistinguishable from the real thing. After installation, laminate is also especially easy to maintain: no special cleaners are required, and it holds well under daily wear and tear from pets or children.

Resale Value

If you know you’ll eventually move to a new home, laminate flooring might not be the best option. Despite its versatility, laminate flooring does not increase the resale value of your home. Hardwood floors, on the other hand, are typically thought to be more desired and therefore more expensive. To some homebuyers, the type of flooring may not make much of a difference, but it’s good to keep in mind if you want to make a profit.

Repair

Although laminate flooring is easier to clean and often more durable than hardwood floors, they cannot be refurnished or repaired if they get badly damaged. This is especially important to keep in mind if you know your floors are prone to getting scratched; sometimes, you are able to touch up marks on laminate floors, but you might end up replacing the entire board instead. Keep this in mind, as laminate cannot be sanded like hardwood.  If you’d rather not worry about replacement boards, look at other flooring options.   

Finding New York Flooring Contractors for Your Kitchen Project

Laminate isn’t right for every home, but it certainly has unique benefits when it comes to remodeling. If you are in New York, you’re in luck—ServiceWhale is now available in your city! Register today and read our blog for more remodeling tips. We’re here to make remodeling easy and affordable for everyone, so let’s get started!