Laminate Wood Flooring Pros and Cons

Introduction:

For decades hardwood flooring has been the flooring material of choice. The warmth and beauty wood floors brings to the home is extraordinary and the lifetime of the floor compared to other flooring material makes it a wise economical choice. In recent years hardwood flooring has become so popular that people with older homes have pulled up the carpeting to refinish the hardwood underneath.

Homeowners of older homes have upgraded their flooring with new hardwood flooring as DIY projects. Although many homeowners have gone for hardwood to get the look they wanted, some struggled with the limitations of hardwood.

There are limitations to where you can install solid hardwood floors. They cannot be installed in basements nor are they recommended for bathrooms because they have the drawbacks of being soft, easily dented and susceptible to moisture. The installation process is also time-consuming and labor intensive, as unfinished floors need to be sanded and stained. In addition the high cost of hardwood deters many homeowners, as well as the longer installation process as hardwood needs to acclimate to their surroundings before being installed.

In contrast laminate hardwood flooring, also known as engineered wood flooring, has been around only since the 1970s and has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. Laminate flooring may not be made from solid wood however it offers the same natural look for a lot lesser cost. The top layer of laminate is made from real wood and has the same characteristic grain patterns as real wood. Laminate flooring offers a seamless look throughout the home that rivals hardwood floors. But there are other advantages than just cost and appearance.  

While solid hardwood has many limitations, laminate overcomes those limitations. Wood laminate flooring can be installed anywhere including basements and bathrooms. While it isn't completely moisture-resistant, it offers a barrier that solid wood does not.

When installing laminate in high moisture areas it should be installed over a good quality subfloor. The subfloor will absorb the moisture and offer more time to clean up spills. A quality subfloor also offers excellent noise and sound reduction, which also lends a hand to a more natural sound when walking on the laminate.

Laminate is also much easier to install which saves on the cost of installation if you prefer to have it installed by a professional. Most laminates use a tongue and groove installation process that snaps each piece together. The baseboards are removed and then reinstalled to reduce the installation cost.  And the beauty is that all laminate is purchased in a finished form. You never have to be concerned about sanding or staining the floors.

Laminate wood flooring continues to improve and look more natural. While it once had an artificial appearance and a hollow sound when walking on it, today’s laminated wood flooring looks just like the real thing. Often professionals cannot tell the difference between laminated and solid wood flooring. Laminate flooring is a smart, cost-effective choice that can offer your home the warmth and aesthetic appeal it deserves.

Related articles:

Pine Furniture for Your Home

Save Money by Purchasing Inexpensive Furniture  

Selecting Area Rugs and Carpets

Stained Glass Windows

For more DIY information Check out these Resources