Laminate flooring is one of the best options for homeowners to use in their homes. This guide covers all you need to know about laminate flooring.
Are you in the market for a new floor? Have you been considering laminate floors but aren’t sure if they’re the right fit for you?
If so, we’re here to help. Laminate is a popular home flooring choice that is visually appealing, durable, and economical. It’s designed to withstand wear and tear while adding value and style to your home.
From what it’s made of to how it’s installed, this guide lays out all you need to know about laminate flooring. Keep reading to learn all about why laminate flooring is one of the best options for homeowners.
What Is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate is a popular choice for flooring in homes and has become one of the industry's largest categories in the past few years. It’s a multi-layer synthetic flooring product that simulates the look of various materials. Laminate flooring was invented in 1977 by a Swedish company and has been around ever since.
What Is Laminate Flooring Made Of?
Laminate is a hybrid floor covering that is made up of three or four layers. These layers each serve their own purpose and are fused together to create a durable and appealing floor covering.
Below is an explanation of each layer:
- The back layer is the first layer that is used for moisture resistance, soundproofing, and balancing the floor
- The base layer is usually made of plywood or high-density fiberboard to create a foundation of strength and stability
- The middle layer is an image layer that has a high-resolution image of wood, stone, or metal
- The top is a protective layer that protects against fading, stains, and surface burns
How Durable Is Laminate?
Because of the way it’s constructed, laminate flooring is extremely durable. If you know you need a floor that can stand up to a lot of wear and tear, laminate is one of the best choices. The top wear layer is hard to penetrate which makes laminate resistant to scratches, fading, and stains.
Laminate is also easy to clean. With laminate flooring in high-traffic areas, it’ll be possible to keep your floors looking as good as new for a long time!
What Styles Does Laminate Come In?
The sky's the limit with laminate flooring designs. With advances in high-resolution printing, laminate can imitate almost any type of flooring. Maybe, more importantly, laminate very closely resembles whatever material you’re going for. Some of the most popular laminate designs are hardwood, stone, tile, and ceramics.
How Much Does Laminate Flooring Cost?
Quite some time ago, laminate used to be considered cheap. That’s probably because back when it was invented in the 1970s it had a plasticky-looking finish. These days, laminate is considered both stylish and affordable.
Like most other flooring materials, laminate flooring cost depends on the specific type you choose. Cost can range anywhere from $1 per square foot to $10 or more. That price range includes a variety of different design options.
Choosing laminate instead of hardwood can save you a lot of money. With today’s technology and authentic-looking image layers, laminate makes it hard to tell the difference. That’s why choosing laminate can actually increase the value of your home.
How Is Laminate Installed?
Laminate can be installed in one of two ways. It can be installed just like most hardwood floors. This means nailed, glued, or stapled down to the subflooring.
The alternate method is installing laminate flooring as a click-together floating floor. Many laminate floors are designed with interlocking grooves that lock together. Much like a puzzle, the pieces snap together and don’t need to be attached to the subfloor.
There are quite a few advantages to using the floating floor method. They’re easier to install and take less time, which will save you money on installation. They can be installed over existing floors which can save even more time and money. It’s also easier to replace individual planks if one somehow gets damaged.
There are some potential downsides to floating floors as well. They are not as good at reducing noise as other flooring options and have the potential to trap moisture. While these are things to think about, these downsides can be mitigated by using proper underlayment and installment.
Is Laminate Waterproof?
Laminate can be waterproof, but it depends on the type you buy. Regular laminate is water-resistant, which means spills that are quickly cleaned up won’t cause an issue. The protective layer of laminate provides enough protection for minor spills or wet shoes trudging across the floor.
However, like most wood floors, laminate doesn’t do well with standing water. Once water gets in between the planks and into the base layer, swelling and warping can occur. If you’re looking for a waterproof material and have your heart set on laminate, make sure you’re buying a specialty waterproof laminate.
Where Should Laminate Be Installed?
Because of its durability and ability to stand up to heavy foot traffic, laminate is a great choice for high traffic areas in your room. That includes hallways, entryways, dining rooms, and living rooms. Since there’s such a wide range of designs available, laminate floors are also great for family rooms and bedrooms.
Regular laminate isn’t suggested for bathrooms or kitchens because of the water damage threat. However, as more waterproof laminate options come onto the market, using laminate flooring products in bathrooms and kitchens is a possibility.
Is Laminate Flooring Right For You?
Now that you understand why laminate flooring is one of the best options for homeowners, are you ready to make the switch? Laminate offers you durability over the years without having to sacrifice your design aesthetic.
At National Floors Direct, we’re here to help you reimagine your home. Contact us today to talk to an experienced team member about your flooring needs!
