Why Use Laminate Flooring?

Picking the right flooring option for a new house or a remodeling project is a difficult task because there are many options to choose from and factors to consider. If you’re looking for a durable option that won’t take too much off your budget, then laminate flooring is a choice worth looking at.

So why should you have laminate floors installed at home? Laminate flooring is a popular pick among homeowners because it’s easier to install and maintain, more heat and moisture resistant, and more affordable than hardwood. It’s also available in many styles and degrees of durability that make it perfect for most rooms in a home. 

6 Reasons to Install Laminate Flooring at Home

Laminate flooring is one of the most popular types of flooring materials for different residential properties because they’re durable, attractive, and easy to install. The top layer of the laminate flooring closely resembles wood or stone covered by a clear protective layer. Underneath the image is the inner core layer that’s made up of fiberboard materials and melamine resin.

The use of laminate floors started around the 1970s, and they remain a popular choice until now. According to a study by Expert Market Research, the continuous growth of the laminate flooring market is because of the homeowners’ attention to interior design and the recent advancements in designing and printing technology.

If you’re also considering using laminate flooring for your home, here are some of the best reasons to install them: 

1. More Affordable than Hardwood

Some laminate flooring options can run as low as half the price of traditional hardwood floors ($6 to $23 per square foot). The average cost of laminate flooring ranges from about $1 to $5 per square foot, but more expensive ones might be around $10 to $12. Make sure to closely inspect the laminate floor before settling on it because it might wear out sooner than expected.

In addition to the cost of the materials, there are also installation costs to consider. Hardwood floors need to be installed by a professional team that usually charges around the same rate as the material per square foot.

Laminate flooring installation is DIY-friendly, but it might be better to hire a flooring professional to get the job done. They have the right tools and experience to install laminate floors correctly, plus they also charge less than when installing hardwood floors. 

2. Different Degrees of Durability and Resilience

Since laminate floors can’t be refinished like hardwood floors, many homeowners wonder about the resilience and durability of these materials against everyday wear and tear. This flooring material has a highly durable protective layer at the top that’s designed to withstand dents, scratches, stains, and heavy traffic. But if one part of it gets damaged, it’s easy to just replace that individual laminate plank.

One important feature to look at when looking at different laminate flooring options is their Abrasion Criteria (AC) rating. A higher AC rating means that the product is more durable, but AC1 to AC3 is often enough for residential properties. AC4 and AC5 are usually used for commercial properties with moderate to high-traffic areas. 

3. Ease of Installation and Maintenance

Many homeowners who frequently renovate some parts of their homes choose laminate flooring because they’re easy to install and perfect for DIY projects. These floors don’t require glue because they come in a “tongue and groove” mechanism (click-lock system) that connects individual planks on top of the structurally stable subfloor.

Hiring an installation team ensures that the laminate floors are placed on the subfloor properly, but they often charge labor fees. Most professional installation rates are only minimal, but it gives homeowners the peace of mind that they won’t easily encounter flooring issues.

Laminate floors also only require little to no maintenance. Dust is usually cleared using a broom or vacuum. Mopping can also be done as long as the water doesn’t seep into the crevices of the planks. Spills and stains won’t leave marks on the smooth surface as long as they’re immediately removed with a clean, slightly damp cloth. 

4. Many Style Options to Choose From

Laminate flooring closely replicates the appearance of real wood, stone, and other natural textures or materials. Real hardwood planks have imperfections that should be trimmed or discarded, but laminate floors have no defects when it comes to the preferred appearance.

There’s always a wide selection of patterns and colors that will look great in most house or room styles. Laminate floors with wooden patterns come in natural wood shades and a wide variety of colors like deep red and black. Some laminate flooring manufacturers also offer textured laminate flooring with deeply embossed surface texture for a more realistic appearance. 

5. Works Great for Almost Any Room

Some flooring options work better than others in certain rooms like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Real hardwood flooring can’t take too much moisture, which is why they’re not a great option for moist and humid rooms. On the other hand, laminate floors are durable enough to be installed in these areas without worrying too much about warpage and other structural issues. 

6. Resistant to Damages Caused by Contraction and Expansion

Since laminate floor planks are only locked into each other, damages like snapping or buckling on the wear layer are less likely to happen than in hardwood floors. They’re not glued or nailed to the subfloor which gives them more room to expand or contract when there are pressure, temperature changes, or water damage.

Laminate floors aren’t made of waterproof materials, so the best way to protect them from moisture damage is to use a moisture barrier beneath the underlayment. This also works for other certain types of vinyl flooring that are installed in a “floating” manner. 

What to Look For in Laminate Flooring

Having many laminate flooring options to choose from makes it hard for many homeowners to find the right one to install in their homes. If you’re also struggling to pick one from the wide selection of laminate floors in a home depot, here are a few flooring features to consider:

• Thickness – Thicker laminate floors make them more resistant against scratches, noise, and warpage. Just look for the material’s AC rating when checking the different types of laminate flooring. AC1 is great for areas with minimal foot traffic (bedrooms and closets), AC2 for those with moderate foot traffic, and AC3 for rooms with heavy foot traffic (living rooms and kitchens). AC4 and AC5 are reserved for properties with commercial traffic.

• Appearance – The color and pattern of the laminate floor should also match the room’s interior design. Choosing the right laminate flooring that blends in the area’s aesthetic easily makes the room look a lot more stylish and spacious.

• Brand or Manufacturer – Although there are dozens of laminate manufacturers to consider, there are only a handful of flooring brands that are guaranteed to give you high-quality floors worth every penny you spent. Some of the top brands for laminate flooring include Mohawk & Pergo, Shaw Industries, Armstrong, AquaGuard, and Quick-Step. 

Want Laminate Floors at Home? Zothex Flooring Can Help

Laminate floors are an excellent choice for homeowners who are looking for high-quality and durable options that won’t cost an arm and a leg for their flooring project. At Zothex Flooring, we have a wide selection of laminate floors that have just the right balance of functionality, attractiveness, and affordability.

Our team of licensed flooring experts helps all of our clients pick from premium laminate flooring types based on their needs and lifestyle. Find the perfect flooring option for your California home by visiting one of our showrooms near you.

Call us at (916) 925 – 1958 to learn more about our flooring products and services.

Read More: How to Remove a Bad Piece of Laminate Flooring?