Choosing the right flooring for your space is an important task. You must know everything about the flooring type that you are going to install. Today we will discuss laminate flooring to help you understand the pros and cons of installing this flooring.
Laminate flooring is one of the most preferred flooring types nowadays due to its versatility. If you want to install this flooring in your space, you must know everything related to it. There are a lot of factors that are necessary to look up to while selecting laminate flooring. Today we will give you all the details related to this flooring type, along with expert recommendations.
What Is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate Flooring is a hybrid flooring type that is manufactured with a mixture of various materials and based on different layers. The base of the floor is made with fiberwood or plywood. It is covered with an image layer. This layer can have a high-resolution image of stone, natural wood, or other material to give a specific design to the flooring. Then the image layer is protected with a wear layer which prevents it from getting damaged. If you are looking for a flooring that gives the look of natural wood or stone flooring, then laminate flooring would be the best choice for you.
Pros Of Laminate Flooring
There are a lot of benefits to installing laminate flooring. Some of them are given below:
● Durability
● Affordability
● Easy installation
● Eco-friendliness
Cons Of Laminate Flooring
● It can get damaged due to excessive water flow.
● It can’t be refinished once it gets damaged or worn out. You have to replace it with a new one.
Different Types Of Laminate Flooring
The types are divided into three categories that are given below:
In Terms Of Material
This flooring comes in three types of materials:
1. Engineered Wood
Those who want a wooden texture with the help of laminate flooring, this type of laminate flooring is the perfect choice for them. It is made of acrylic lamination with a top layer of real wood. This type of laminate flooring can be refinished in multiple ways to enhance its lifespan. However, it can be damaged due to interaction with excessive water.
2. Plastic
The second type of laminate flooring is made up of plastic material. It costs half of the engineered wood laminate. It offers a waterproof surface that is not susceptible to dents or scratches. It is the best option for heavy foot traffic areas.
In Terms Of Surface
There are three surface types of laminate flooring:
1. Smooth
This laminate flooring comes in a smooth surface and is easy to clean. But if you want a natural look then it doesn’t give a realistic view.
2. Textured
It is also called embossed laminate flooring, that gives your space a unique and fantastic look.
3. Distressed
It is also called hand-scraped laminate flooring, which is intentionally made to look older. This type of laminate flooring is well suited for those who want an antique look at a low cost.
In Terms Of Installation
Laminate flooring comes in different categories when we talk about its installation.
1. Lock & Place
It is the most popular type of laminate flooring and is easy to install. It comes with a double-click method where one click has to be locked with the previous one. This gives solid support for all the planks of laminate flooring.
2. Glued
Then comes the installation method, where you can use glue to install the laminate flooring. It may be a messy way to install, but it offers higher durability.
3. Peel And Stick
This type of laminate flooring comes with adhesive material at its back; you have to peel off the sticker and attach the planks to the floor.
Major Concerns Related To Laminate Flooring
Many doubts come into the mind of people about laminate flooring. And ahead is our take to remove all your doubts about this flooring type. Let’s take a look at all these factors one by one:
1. Cost
The primary factor necessary for purchasing any type of flooring is the cost we have to spend on it. The cost of laminate flooring varies on the type and quality you want. But the average cost starts from $0.70 to $2.00 per square foot. The price may increase if you get more functionality related to your preferred design and quality.
2. Required Maintenance
Laminate flooring is relatively easy to maintain. Many manufacturers provide a maintenance guide to help you learn what can be good and bad for your floor. You can easily take care of your laminate floor by taking preventive measures.
For example, you should clean the spills immediately. In high-traffic areas, you should place rugs or mats. Get the pads for your furniture’s legs to secure the floor from getting any damage. If you don’t have waterproof laminate flooring, you must avoid dropping water on the surface and not mop regularly. All these precautions will protect your floor from getting any damage.
3. Design options
Typically laminate flooring comes in various designs and colors. You can get this flooring in any texture you want, like stone, wood, and other printed designs. If you don’t like the available designs, you can place a customized order as per your preferences.
4. Lifespan Of Laminate Flooring
The average lifespan of laminate flooring is 15 to 25 years. The actual lifespan depends on the quality of laminate flooring and how you would take care of it. In many cases, the lifespan can be up to 25 years, given a good upkeep.
5. Installation
Laminate flooring comes in the form of planks, and you can easily install them yourself. If you don’t know the proper method, then many DIY methods are available that will help you easily install this flooring. The installation method varies depending on the planks, whether they need interlock, glued, or peel-and-stick installation.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a durable, affordable, easy to install, and versatile flooring type, then laminate flooring would be perfect. It fulfills all the primary requirements that we can expect from any flooring. We recommend you get this flooring if you want the best flooring solution at a reasonable cost.