Unlike 20 years ago, modern homeowners have the luxury of choosing from a wide range of flooring materials for their home. Where at one time the options were pretty much limited to hardwood, carpet and linoleum, today, the options have expanded to include select quarry tiles, resilient flooring, cork, bamboo and laminate. In this article, we take a look at the pros and cons of laminate flooring and find out why this innovative flooring option is fast becoming one of the most popular choices of flooring in American homes.
The Pros of Laminate Floors
Laminate is one of the more durable and long-lasting choices in flooring. Manufactured by bonding four distinct layers together and featuring melamine resin on the top and bottom layers, laminate is resistant to wear and it will not fade when subjected to direct sunlight or any source of artificial light. Most manufacturers back their laminate products with 15-, 20-, 25- or 30-year warranties depending on the brand and model.
Laminate flooring is also resistant to stains and all but the most extreme of impacts. This material is resistant to water (as long as spills are wiped up quickly) and for the most part, a laminate floor is extremely easy to install, maintain, clean and repair.
Also called a “floating floor,” laminate can be installed directly over your existing plywood subfloor or any other hard-surface floor, such as hardwood, concrete or linoleum. There is also very little waste when using laminate flooring as unlike hardwood, laminate planks feature no defects. Whereas a pallet of natural wood planks may include a number of imperfect planks, laminate planks are engineered with no defects or imperfections.
Laminate flooring is also available in a wide array of designs, so finding one suitable for your room’s design is usually not difficult. While at one time laminate flooring was limited to hardwood-like images, modern laminate flooring is available in hardwood, stone tile or ceramic tile designs. In addition, laminate offers the homeowner the chance to enjoy a beautiful floor in the fashion of hardwood or tile at a fraction of the cost and labor.
The Cons of Laminate Floors
While laminate floors enjoy a host of benefits, the product isn’t without its share of pitfalls (although they are few). For the most part, the cons of laminate flooring are attributed to personal preference issues. For example, laminate floors are hard under foot, even with its foam underlayment. It also does not insulate a room in the way that carpet or cork flooring does.
Laminate flooring, while it may look like hardwood flooring to the naked eye across the room, is not a real hardwood floor and this can be an issue for some people. Also, because of the inexpensive nature of laminate and the ease with which it is installed, it does little to add value to a home’s resale value, unlike a real hardwood floor does.
Some people claim that laminate has a slippery surface but this is predominantly on older floors as recent innovations have resulted in manufacturers producing slip-resistant top layers.
Lastly, unlike hardwood, a laminate floor cannot be sanded and refinished for a fresh appearance. Instead, a damaged or worn laminate floor needs to have its damaged planks removed and new ones installed in order to restore the appearance of the floor.
Consensus
Laminate flooring is enjoyed in millions of American homes and for good reason. The pros definitely outweigh the cons when it comes to this flooring material and for the most part, the cons listed are preferential considerations. For the price, the durability and the ease at which it is installed, it makes for a great addition to any home and best of all; the average homeowner can do the installation herself and save a bundle.
Source : http://www.realtor.com/home-garden/do-it-yourself/flooring/laminate-flooring-pros-cons.aspx
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