Read This Before You Choose Your Flooring! Laminate flooring is an inexpensive flooring option with a variety of style options to choose from. Its affordable price tag comes with several downsides that’ll make you think twice about installing laminate in your home. Let’s take a look at what laminate flooring is and why it may be less than ideal for your home.
What Is Laminate Flooring?
Born in the 1970s as a way to use up waste wood, laminate flooring imitates hardwood floors for a fraction of the price. A piece of laminate flooring consists of three layers. Particleboard serves as a base with a decorative image layer on top that gives the illusion of solid wood. The final layer is a transparent layer that protects the image layer from wear and tear.
The Cons of Laminate Flooring
So what’s so bad about getting the look of wood floors for less? Laminate floors are made from inexpensive particleboard, meaning it doesn’t stand up next to hardwood flooring.
- Laminate flooring may last less than 10 years. Laminate flooring is a poor choice due to its lack of durability. You may find yourself seeing noticeable signs of wear very quickly – especially in areas of high foot traffic
- Moisture can easily warp laminate flooring. Particleboard is highly susceptible to damage from moisture and water exposure. Without an additional step to seal laminate floors and quick cleanups of spilled liquids, individual pieces of a laminate floor may warp, causing gaps and other visual defects. This is especially true in kitchens and bathrooms where water spills are more likely.
- It’s not a convincing dupe for real wood. While you can choose laminate options to mimic many different wood styles and colors, it doesn’t take much to determine whether your flooring is real or not. For those that value the authentic, natural feeling of a wood floor, a laminate floor won’t provide the same feeling.
- It’ll end up in a landfill. When a hardwood floor shows signs of wear and tear, homeowners have the choice to refinish it for a flawless update. Laminate floors, often including some amount of plastic in the top wear layer, are destined for landfills relatively quickly after installation.
Recommended Alternatives To Laminate Flooring
What should you use instead of laminate flooring? For waterproof flooring that lasts longer, looks beautiful, and doesn’t break the bank, we recommend Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP).
Why Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Is A Better Choice For Flooring
- You can install LVP over existing tiles or cement slabs. LVP is installed in individual pieces that easily lock together. You can save an extra step during installation by putting it right on top of existing surfaces like cement or tile.
- It feels more like the real thing. LVP flooring is more solid than laminate, so you may be more easily convinced that you’re walking on hardwood planks. You can browse many varieties of wood-look and stone-look options to find the perfect option for any room.
- More protection against water. Waterproof LVP is a great choice for areas that might experience mud, pet accidents, or spills that won’t immediately be cleaned. You’ll be less likely to see warping or water damage than you would with a laminate floor.
- Added cork or felt layer for warmth and comfort. LVP floors come with a bottom layer of cork or felt that can cushion your footsteps while insulating your floors. This protection also quiets some noises from foot traffic, reducing echoes and creaking.
See High-Quality Flooring Options In Gainesville and Ocala!
Whether you’re finding materials for your DIY home renovation or looking for experts to help you remodel your home, stop byour Gainesville / Alachua and Ocala showroom to check out high-quality flooring options! Straight Line Construction is a construction concierge, handling renovations from start to finish and educating homeowners on the best materials for their own remodeling needs. Stop by to chat about the best flooring for your space or contact us to see how we can help you fall in love with your home again!
