Laminate has a reputation for being a pair of brown shoes in a room full of tuxedo materials like hardwood, luxury vinyl tile, porcelain tile and natural stone. Does laminate flooring deserve this second-class reputation? It’s affordable, but is that a knock against installing it? Here are five facts about laminate flooring that might change your impression.
The Facts About Laminate Floors
Consider these laminate flooring facts before you make the floor choice for your home.
1. Laminate isn’t Solid Wood
Laminate is often made to look like wood with a photographic applique of the real thing, and some of the layers are wood composite, but this flooring is very unlike solid hardwood. If you’re looking for a 50-year floor, then this fact is a laminate flooring disadvantage. However, if you want new, attractive floors for far less money, floors you’re not stuck with for the rest of your life, then these are advantages. It’s all about perspective.
2. Laminate Flooring Offers Value
If you sell your home in the next decade, you won’t recoup the cost of hardwood flooring, luxury vinyl tile or porcelain tile. Their return on investment is low compared with affordable laminate that looks fabulous at a fraction of the cost. In short, the less you spend on good-looking floors, and laminate is attractive, the more value you receive from it at sale.
3. Laminate is Easy to Install and Uninstall
Wood flooring must be nailed down. Sheet vinyl is glued down. Tile, with its thinnest mortar beneath and grout all around, is the worst. On the other hand, laminate is a floating floor with planks that lock together, and unlock just as easily, like pieces of a puzzle with straight-line connections. Installation is a snap, literally and figuratively. This significantly reduces the cost of installation, repairs and removal.
4. Laminate Flooring isn’t Particular about Subfloor
Installation and/or preparation of the subfloor contributes greatly to the time, labor and expense of total flooring installation for many materials. The good news about laminate is that, since it is a floating floor, it installs over just about anything in good condition. This includes traditional plywood or OSB subfloor, concrete, hardwood or sheet vinyl. That translates to less cost and less hassle.
5. Laminate is Great for Allergies
Allergens like dust, pet dander and pollen are harbored by carpeting and are thrown into the air when the flooring is walked on, but allergens have nowhere to hide on the smooth surface of laminate flooring. A slightly damp mop or a hard-surface vacuum with a HEPA filter is all it takes to remove allergens from this flooring’s surface and keep them out of the air you breathe.
Laminate doesn’t always get the respect it deserves, but flooring experts and savvy homeowners understand the advantages this attractive, long-lasting material brings to any home.
The Facts About Laminate Floors
Consider these laminate flooring facts before you make the floor choice for your home.
1. Laminate isn’t Solid Wood
Laminate is often made to look like wood with a photographic applique of the real thing, and some of the layers are wood composite, but this flooring is very unlike solid hardwood. If you’re looking for a 50-year floor, then this fact is a laminate flooring disadvantage. However, if you want new, attractive floors for far less money, floors you’re not stuck with for the rest of your life, then these are advantages. It’s all about perspective.
2. Laminate Flooring Offers Value
If you sell your home in the next decade, you won’t recoup the cost of hardwood flooring, luxury vinyl tile or porcelain tile. Their return on investment is low compared with affordable laminate that looks fabulous at a fraction of the cost. In short, the less you spend on good-looking floors, and laminate is attractive, the more value you receive from it at sale.
3. Laminate is Easy to Install and Uninstall
Wood flooring must be nailed down. Sheet vinyl is glued down. Tile, with its thinnest mortar beneath and grout all around, is the worst. On the other hand, laminate is a floating floor with planks that lock together, and unlock just as easily, like pieces of a puzzle with straight-line connections. Installation is a snap, literally and figuratively. This significantly reduces the cost of installation, repairs and removal.
4. Laminate Flooring isn’t Particular about Subfloor
Installation and/or preparation of the subfloor contributes greatly to the time, labor and expense of total flooring installation for many materials. The good news about laminate is that, since it is a floating floor, it installs over just about anything in good condition. This includes traditional plywood or OSB subfloor, concrete, hardwood or sheet vinyl. That translates to less cost and less hassle.
5. Laminate is Great for Allergies
Allergens like dust, pet dander and pollen are harbored by carpeting and are thrown into the air when the flooring is walked on, but allergens have nowhere to hide on the smooth surface of laminate flooring. A slightly damp mop or a hard-surface vacuum with a HEPA filter is all it takes to remove allergens from this flooring’s surface and keep them out of the air you breathe.
Laminate doesn’t always get the respect it deserves, but flooring experts and savvy homeowners understand the advantages this attractive, long-lasting material brings to any home.