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Pros & Cons Of Laminate Flooring
Hallways, entryways, dining areas, and living rooms all benefit from laminate flooring. Its outstanding visuals also make it appropriate for bedrooms, family spaces, and, in some circumstances, kitchens.
Plastic is not used in the manufacture of laminate flooring. Because appearance and design were compromised for cheap in the early years, laminate appeared to be composed of plastic. Laminate now has the appearance of genuine hardwood or stone, but it is considerably more inexpensive thanks to clever manufacturing.
If you’re on a budget and want to save even more money by installing the flooring yourself, laminate flooring can be the best option for you.
Laminate flooring is one of the most cost-effective and simple-to-install flooring options. However, while laminate flooring is functional and attractive, it lacks the prestige and additional real estate value that true hardwood or stone tile flooring do.
Wear, design, core, and back layers are the four layers that make up laminate flooring. Each layer has a specific purpose and is fused together with extreme heat and pressure.
If you’re thinking about installing new hard floors in your house, keep reading to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of laminate flooring.
Pros Of Laminate Flooring
Easy to maintain
The laminate floor’s wear layer is incredibly strong, making cleanup and maintenance a breeze. Sweeping on a regular basis keeps the surface clear of abrasive grit.
Affordable
Installing this flooring is rather simple, and professional installation is not excessively expensive. Actual hardwood flooring and laminate flooring cannot be compared in terms of price. The latter is both cheaper and more environmentally friendly, as it does not necessitate the destruction of trees.
Resistance to damage
The composite wood material of laminate flooring is not only durable, but the top layer of laminate also has excellent scratch resistance. The top coat of laminate floorboards can withstand heavy traffic, loud children, and pet claws. UV resistance also means that the color of your floors will last longer.
Easy to install
Laminate flooring is a form of floating floor that often has a simple lock-together system that is very straightforward to use, allowing for DIY installation.
Elegant Look
Today, thanks to advancements in laminate flooring technology, distinguishing between natural wood and laminate is considerably more difficult. Many laminate floorboards have distinctive embossing that closely resembles the look and feel of actual wood.
Eco-friendly
You can reduce your environmental impact by not using natural resources. Luxury laminate floors are made without chopping down any hardwood trees. This is particularly crucial if you want your office to have a green profile.
Wide Variety
Laminate is available in a variety of styles and realistic textures to make it look as natural as possible. It’s available in thin or wide plank wood flooring, stone and ceramic tile-inspired fashions, and classic wood floor patterns like herringbone parquet. There’s a laminate version of it if it exists!
Cons Of Laminate Flooring
Not much Moisture Resist
Laminate flooring is susceptible to dampness because it is comprised of wood. As a result, it’s not recommended for use as a hard floor in bathrooms and should be used with caution in kitchens and laundry rooms. Cleaning with light surface water should not be a problem, but saturation must be avoided.
Non-refinishable
A laminate floor can never be resurfaced due to its composite construction and wear layer. Laminate flooring must be replaced if it is damaged or worn out.
Hard to walk on
Although it appears to be natural, it is a synthetic that feels excessively hard and can make a harsh sound when trod on. The laminate floor’s wear layer is made of plastic that does not decompose in landfills.
It’s an artificial flooring
When compared to the actual thing, laminate flooring, no matter how great the quality, will fall short. The wood floor will be noisier due to the repeating design. These are telltale clues that a laminate floor is just that.
It’s slippery
some settings, laminate flooring can provide a slick surface. Falls are a possibility as a result of this, therefore use additional caution if you have little children.
Not profitable when sold
If you decide to sell your property, laminate flooring will not bring you a lot of money because its value is so low.
Laminate flooring is rather simple to set up. In fact, if you follow the appropriate instructions, you might be able to accomplish it yourself! It doesn’t require any glue and isn’t too difficult to cut. When compared to hardwood flooring, where you may have to remove sections that do not fit into your floor layout, there is significantly less waste.
Laminate flooring has also become more diverse in terms of design and style in recent years. Previously, just a wood effect laminate was offered.
Different patterns and effects have been developed in recent years to present you with a larger range of possibilities. You’ll be able to choose from a variety of effects, including stone tiles, ceramic tiles, and a variety of wood and bamboo species.
Manufacturers of laminate flooring have been working hard to improve their products. Micro bevels, deeper texturing, and better graphics replication have brought laminate flooring closer to the cachet experienced by solid hardwood and engineered wood floors, but in terms of performance, appearance, and reputation, it remains a budget flooring material.
The life expectancy of a thing varies substantially depending on its quality. In rooms with little activity, certain laminate floors can last up to 25 years or more, while others installed in high-traffic areas may need to be replaced in as little as 10 years.
Laminate flooring is an excellent substitute for real wood flooring. It is, however, critical to recognise the distinctions between the two.
Laminate flooring may be the correct choice for you if you want a cost-effective, long-lasting floor with a variety of design possibilities and a simple installation process. Consider the expense of laminate versus the cost of other materials both financially and in terms of upkeep and lifetime.
