Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring

Deciding on the perfect type of flooring for your property can often be challenging, especially when budget concerns come into play and you're bombarded with many available options. Luckily, if you're like the thousands of people seeking a tile-like look or hardwood floors aesthetic, look no further than laminate flooring. 

Laminate floors mimic the look of any style or design, all at a fraction of the cost of the real thing. If you want to incorporate hard flooring into your residential or commercial space, laminate is a cost-effective, high-performance option worth considering. 

However, no flooring comes without disadvantages, and we want you to know the good and the bad before making a big decision regarding your latest flooring project. That's why Baker Bros has shared this in-depth guide on the pros and cons of laminate flooring. 

What Is Laminate Flooring?

So, what exactly is laminate flooring? Before we discuss its pros and cons, let's look into what it is. Emerging on the residential scene decades ago—around the 1970s—laminate floors offer easy installation and have become an attractive and durable alternative to solid hardwood flooring. They have come a long way from what they once were. 

Today, technological advancements provide laminate floors with deeper embossing, sharper high-definition images, more advanced seaming mechanisms, and many other innovations. This means you get laminate floors that can mimic tiles and natural wood realistically and look just as good as the real thing. But how are they made? 

The manufacturing process for laminate floors is relatively straightforward. These floors typically consist of several layers of laminate, known as the design, core, back, and wear layer. Each layer is merged using high pressure and heat to form a solid laminate plank, with each layer playing a pivotal role in appearance and durability. 

How Long Do Laminate Floors Last? 

Even with significant improvements in appearance, reputation, and performance, laminate floors remain a budget-friendly option. But how long will they last? 

Experts in the flooring industry state that since the quality of laminate flooring products varies significantly, the average lifespan can also vary. Some laminate floors last as long as 25 years or more in rooms with little light and use, whereas laminate floors installed as a floating floor in high-traffic areas may need replacing within ten years. 

Laminate Flooring Advantages and Disadvantages

Now that you know what laminate flooring is and how long it lasts, we can dive into the nitty-gritty of its pros and cons. Below, we've detailed what you can expect to be beneficial and the areas where laminate flooring falls short. With this information, you can better decide if it suits your next build or renovation project. 

Advantages of Laminate Flooring

Easy to Clean and Maintain

Maintenance is a crucial factor when purchasing any type of flooring. Flooring is one of the most noticeable elements in a home. It provides the structural foundation of your property and is typically a significant investment in your home interior. Fortunately, if you've been considering laminate flooring, you'll be pleased to know that it's easy to clean and maintain. 

However, even though laminate flooring is easy to clean, you should still exercise caution. For instance, when cleaning laminate, use a damp mop with a specialist floor cleaner designed for laminate wood or stone floors. This method effectively removes dirt, grime, and dust without risking damage to your flooring and your investment.

Great for All Rooms of the Home

Laminate floors are known for their high durability, and most come with an AC rating that indicates how durable and strong the laminate is. The higher the AC rating, the greater the floor's durability. 

However, it is essential to remember that a higher AC rating does not automatically make it better, as each rating serves a different purpose and suits different needs.

The laminate flooring AC ratings are as follows: 

• AC1: Recommended for use in moderate-traffic zones like bedrooms or guest rooms.
• AC2: Recommended for use in general traffic zones like living and dining rooms.
• AC3: Recommended for use in heavy traffic zones, typically in most areas of the home, like hallways.
• AC4: Recommended for moderate traffic zones in commercial spaces like cafes, smaller retail outlets, and small offices.
• AC5: Recommended for heavy traffic zones in commercial spaces like large department stores, offices, and public buildings. AC5 is also suitable for bathroom use.

An Affordable Alternative to Engineered or Solid Wood

When budgets come into play, many people are disappointed by not being able to afford the gorgeous tiling or natural wood flooring they desire for their home. 

Fortunately, laminate floors cater to various needs and design preferences and can serve as attractive alternatives, since they mimic different floor types—sometimes, it's hard to even tell the difference. 

Laminate is therefore an ideal choice if you're looking for a real wood aesthetic or a tile-like look in your home at a more reasonable price. It offers the rich textures and luxury of real wood flooring and tiling within your budget. 

It Comes in Numerous Styles and Colors

In the past, laminate flooring was often considered unattractive, with limited options and available colors. However, in recent years, this has drastically changed.

Laminate floors are no longer hideous flooring you settle on because you can’t afford anything else. Today, laminate flooring is available in a wide range of designs and colors, so no matter your style, there is an option to suit your preferences. 

Installation of Laminate Floors is Quick and Straightforward

If you're an avid DIY enthusiast, laminate floor installation is right up your alley. Laminate floors are incredibly easy to install compared to other flooring options, thanks to their click-lock mechanisms. 

Depending on the room size and project location, you can install laminate flooring in a few hours to a few days. 

This means you don't have to keep entire areas of your home out of commission while the flooring is being installed, making it a convenient and time-efficient option for most busy people. 

Disadvantages of Laminate Flooring

It Can Provide a Slippery Surface if the AC Level is Lower

Be cautious when considering laminate flooring for the kitchen or bathroom. It can become slippery, which could lead to falls, injuries, and emergency room visits.

Extra caution is advised if you have small children and plan to use laminate in these areas. However, just because laminate flooring can be slippery doesn’t mean it's a total no-go. 

Preventative measures, such as bath and kitchen mats, can reduce the likelihood of slipping. Additionally, you can opt for a higher AC rating laminate, which provides a textured surface that is more slip-resistant and less prone to accidents. 

It Can't Be Refinished, Especially if Water-Damaged

Unlike other flooring types, laminate floors cannot be sanded down and refinished when damaged. If the laminate becomes worn or cosmetically damaged, you may need to replace the flooring, which could be costly if you’ve recently installed it. 

Additionally, while laminate flooring is fairly water-resistant, it has its limits, and these limits are reached much sooner than with other flooring solutions like tiles. 

If your laminate flooring becomes submerged in water for too long or is continuously exposed to moisture, it will need to be replaced sooner than expected. Therefore, consider carefully where you install it or choose a different type of flooring. 

It Isn't as Quiet as Carpet Flooring

If you don't like the sound of walking across floors, laminate, like tile, might not be the ideal choice for your home. While laminate flooring is relatively rigid when installed directly on the subfloor, it can be quite noisy when walked on, which can be an annoyance. 

While this can be an issue, it is easily resolvable with the help of T profiles and underlay for laminate flooring. You can also add rugs to high-traffic areas to mitigate this particular issue. 

Is Laminate Flooring Worth the Investment? Speak With Us at Baker Bros

Deciding whether laminate flooring is worth the investment is a decision to be taken seriously. This type of flooring offers more advantages than disadvantages, but ultimately, it depends on your stylistic preferences and budget.

Our team at Baker Bros understands that choosing laminate flooring over other options can be challenging and overwhelming. That’s why we extend our services to assist you. 

Visit us in-store to explore your options. One of our expert flooring consultants will guide you through the different types of laminate we stock and help you choose the one that best suits your project.