The sales blurb will tell you how laminate is the right choice for every room, but is it true?
In this flooring guide we’re going to re-examine the advantages of laminate floors and take a look at the pros and cons of it versus other materials.
Pros and Cons of Laminate Floors
The main benefits of laminate over other types of home flooring and the reason it is so popular, are affordability, ease of installation and low maintenance.
Laminate is cheap because it’s easily mass produced. It’s easy to install, you can float it over most existing subfloors. And most importantly, it’s easy to clean and care.
So why not just use laminate throughout your home?
Laminate is a great mid-priced flooring option but there are times when a more expensive hardwood floor or a cheaper vinyl floor could be the best choice.
Laminate Vs Hardwood Flooring
Two words for it price and style! Laminate floors look great, not as great as hardwood and that’s a fact. But, laminate wood flooring fits perfectly in a space where practicality is your priority. If stains and extreme weather conditions are a part of daily life then laminate flooring is the smart choice.
Laminate Vs Vinyl Flooring
You should think twice about laminate in a damp basement or a bathroom that regularly experiences standing water. Vinyl however, won’t let any water getting through to your subfloor and is your ideal choice in this scenario.
Luxury Vinyl Vs Laminate
Luxury vinyl flooring is flexible, great looking, reasonably priced option and it matches the durability of laminate. Of course it is better to see luxury vinyl up close and personal before you decide if it’s a good choice.
Laminate Vs Engineered Wood Flooring
In this comparison the pros and cons are the same, laminates tend to be more scratch and impact resistant however engineered wood has much greater longevity.
The really interesting comparison is price. Both materials are at opposite ends of the most budgets.
Laminate Vs Tile Flooring
The biggest difference between these materials is installation. Laminate installation is a breeze compared to the prep, skill and time required to install tile. You can’t beat tile when it comes to durability and longevity. Tile is common in kitchens and bathrooms because it’s resistance to wet conditions.
Laminate Vs Carpet
Between carpet or laminate your final decision will ultimately come down to comfort and cleanliness. In fact the biggest advantage that laminate has over carpet is ease of cleaning and keeping clean.
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