The Benefits of Laminate Wood Flooring Over Other Flooring
Traditional wood floors are no longer the economical choice they once were. If you’ve ever refinished a hardwood floor, or even if you’ve tried to remove scratches or gouges from one, you know that it takes a lot of work and expense. One great thing about laminate flooring is that at first glance it’s hard to see the difference between it and real wood, but that’s really where the similarity ends.
Laminate wood flooring consists of layers of durable materials, starting with a vapor barrier and including a layer of high-density fiberboard which is incredibly strong. The top layer of the flooring is a high-resolution photograph of hardwood; on top of that are several coats of an incredibly hard resin-coated cellulose. Since laminate wood flooring is resistant to moisture, it can be installed in kitchens and bathrooms.
Drag a heavy couch across any real hardwood floor and you will end up with a scratch at the least, and more likely a deeper gouge. Drag that same couch across a laminate floor and…nothing. Not a trace. Likewise, even normal wear and tear on traditional hardwood floors dictates the need to refinish them periodically, which is expensive and dusty. The several coats of polyurethane required to refinish hardwood floors creates strong fumes that can be highly dangerous, often requiring a short stay in a hotel during that process. Laminate flooring never needs to be refinished; they are as shiny and new many years down the road as they are when first installed. In fact, many manufacturers guarantee their laminate flooring for 10-25 years.
The installation of laminate flooring is perhaps its greatest selling point. Laminate wood floors can be laid over existing hard flooring such as wood, vinyl or tile because it isn’t attached to the floor beneath. Rather, laminate wood flooring is snapped together toungue-and-groove style and “floats” on top of the subfloor. Installation is easy, and can be a DIY project if you’re even a little bit handy.
The cost of laminate wood flooring is somewhere between the cost of vinyl and hardwood. Depending on the thickness and strength, laminate wood floors will cost anywhere from $1 to $6 per square foot. Available in a wide variety of finishes, from pine and cherry to oak and ash, it is easy to find a style that suits your tastes.
Laminate wood flooring is a great option for any floor in the house due to its durability, low price and easy installation. It is widely available at most big box home improvement stores, flooring stores and discount wholesalers. Keep it in mind next time you’re in the market for new floors.