materials matter
The Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring first came out in the late 1970s and has steadily grown in popularity since the mid-1980s. Today, laminate is widely used in homes and businesses around the world. In fact, laminate has grown so much in popularity that it has become the most in-demand type of flooring in the real estate industry today. So why do so many people love laminate?
- Higher Scratch Proof
- 100% Water Resistant
- Most Realistic to Hard Wood
- Easy to care for...
Price
The biggest draw to laminate flooring is how affordable it is. Laminate flooring can come in a variety of styles to look like hardwood, stone tile, ceramic tile, etc. And the price of laminate significantly undercuts the real thing. Below, we have provided the average costs of various flooring types and their approximate installation fees.Â
Ceramic Tile: $4 per square foot materials + $7 per square foot installation
Stone Tile: $7 per square foot materials + $7 per square foot installation
Hardwood: $5 per square foot materials + $9 per square foot installation
Laminate: $1.50 per square foot materials + $5 per square foot installation
Many factors can affect the price of flooring. Just as natural stone tiles cost more than ceramic tiles, top-of-the-line laminate will be significantly more expensive than standard laminate flooring. Likewise, odd-shaped rooms will cost more in labor than simple square floor plans because there will be more time spent measuring and cutting the flooring to perfectly cover the space.
Installation
Laminate flooring has a low installation cost for good reason. Whereas tile and hardwood flooring require many specialty tools to cut and properly lay, it doesn’t take a professional to install laminate. If you have the time and a handful of common tools, snapping together laminate planks is a fairly simple home improvement. For anyone who wants to take on a DIY home improvement, laminate flooring is for you! Check out our Ultimate Guide to Laying Laminate Flooring to make sure you have everything you need.Â
Newer laminate flooring isn’t just easy to install, it’s also easy to remove. All it takes is a pry bar and a rubber mallet to carefully snap the planks apart. If done correctly, without breaking the tongues of the planks, the laminate flooring can be reused. If you are the type of person who often needs a change of scenery and you find yourself rearranging furniture or repainting your walls more than most, laminate will give you more versatility in changing the look and feel of your home.Â
Durability
Unlike hardwood or tile flooring, laminate isn’t made to last a lifetime.Â
Water-resistant laminate is a relatively new innovation in the flooring industry. It withstands exposure to water better than hardwood flooring. However, if water does seep between your laminate boards you risk water damage to the laminate and subfloors. For truly water-proof flooring, tile is the way to go.Â
Tile is overall the most durable option, but hardwood holds its value longer. Laminate can not be repaired so if laminate flooring does become scratched or chipped the damaged planks will need to be replaced. If you own pets or will be laying laminate flooring in high-traffic areas, we strongly suggest investing in scratch-resistant laminate. Hardwood flooring, on the other hand, can be refinished (sanded and sealed) to look new again. It also has a high resale value, especially since reclaimed wood has become more fashionable.Â
Where to Use Laminate
Laminate is made to be installed anywhere. It is built to float right on top of the floor below it, so you can lay laminate on top of concrete or wood without damaging the subfloors. Floating floors can be noisy, though. We always suggest using underlaminate to help insulate laminate flooring, muffle heavy footsteps, and protect the floors below. For areas that encounter a lot of moisture (bathrooms, laundry rooms, and any room with a floor drain) laminate should generally be avoided.Â
Talk to a contractor about the best type of flooring for your home renovation. Whatever flooring you decide on, Clayton Hoover & Sons is here to take the project from start to finish. You can learn about all of your flooring options and schedule your free estimate at claytonhoover.com/flooring.
Which grain is right for your home or business?
Where you live and work can be many things. Considering the amount of time you spend there, you might as well make it your own. Find the grain that speaks to you! We’re happy to bring samples for an in-house consultation. You won’t believe how real this material feels!
