Laminate flooring is often seen as a cost-effective and stylish alternative to hardwood and other more traditional flooring materials. It’s a great option for homeowners looking to make their house look and feel more luxurious on a budget. But, is laminate flooring the best choice for your home? Let’s explore!
For those concerned about wood allergies, laminate flooring is an ideal solution. It’s made from a melamine wear layer, which makes it much less likely for dust and allergens to accumulate on the surface. Also, it’s easy to clean and won’t require strict maintenance like a natural hardwood floor.
Installation is another deciding factor when selecting flooring. Laminate flooring is generally much easier to install compared to hardwood. Because of its click-together interlocking boards, laminate flooring can be a DIY-friendly project for someone not wanting to invest in professional floor installation.
The range of style and color options available with laminate flooring can help replicate the look of expensive hardwoods without the expensive price tag. You can choose from a variety of styles, from modern to rustic with a range of textures too. You can easily customize the color and brightness of your floor to match your décor or to make a statement.
Durability plays an important role when it comes to selecting a floor material. Laminate flooring is highly resistant to stains, cracks, chips, and moisture. It won’t dent like hardwood and has a strong laminate surface that is difficult to scratch or wear down. On top of that, it has a long-lasting finish that won’t need refinishing over time.
One of the benefits of laminate flooring is also one of its negatives—it does not increase the value of a home like hardwood does. But, this shouldn’t be a major issue for most homeowners, as it still provides a great looking floor with a low upfront cost.
Price is certainly something to think about. Laminate flooring is a great option for those looking to save some money on materials and installation. Laminate costs much less than hardwood and the installation process is less involved. Plus, laminate flooring lasts longer, so you don’t need to plan on replacing it as regularly as carpet or other types of flooring.
Soundproofing is one more area to consider when selecting a flooring material. Laminate flooring offers the best option when it comes to sound reduction—it has higher densities when compared to hardwood or carpet and can absorb sound from both footsteps and other sources.
Laminate flooring offers low costs, high durability, soundproofing, and a great range of style choices. With all of these features combined, it’s hard to go wrong with laminate flooring.
It can be tougher to choose the perfect laminate floor for your home if you have children. Laminate’s hard surface requires extra protection, so it won’t be damaged from spills or other messes. But, extra protection such as rugs or mats will help keep your laminate looking good for longer.
The issue of water damage is always a concern when it comes to hardwood flooring. Hardwood is vulnerable to damage from water saturation, pets, and kids spilling liquids. Laminate flooring is water resistant, making it a great choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-moisture areas.
Those living in an area of high humidity will want to consider laminate flooring for the same reasons of water resistance. Laminate’s low expansion coefficient will prevent the flooring from bulging or swelling when subjected to the heat and humidity brought in by the summer months.
The effects of foot traffic on hardwood flooring can be another cause of concern. Unfortunately, hardwood and carpets will eventually become matted and marred from heavy foot traffic, but laminate flooring is resistant to any damage from people walking on the surface.
Ultimately, laminate flooring offers so much for homeowners looking to get the most from their flooring. Its range of style choices, low up-front cost, ease of installation, water resistance, and soundproofing make it an excellent option for any and all areas of any home.