3 Things To Consider When It Comes To Laminate Flooring
If you are installing new floors in your home, there are a variety of options to choose from. Some common options include hardwood flooring, tile, carpeting, and laminate flooring. If you like the look of hardwood flooring but not the price tag, laminate flooring is a great option. Laminate flooring is very durable, easy to care for, and affordable. If you think that laminate flooring may be a good choice for your home, here are three things to keep in mind.
Type of Laminate
When it comes to laminate flooring, there is more variety than you may be aware of. The two main styles of laminate flooring are engineered wood and plastic laminate. With engineering wood, the plank is made up of layers of real wood glued together and with the top layer being thin layer of high-quality hardwood that is coated with an acrylic finish. Plastic laminate flooring is entirely artificial with a wood grain print on top that mimics the look of hardwood. If you are looking for something that closely replicates hardwood, engineered wood is the best option. Plastic laminate is incredibly durable, but not as realistic looking as engineered wood.
Cost
Cost is another important factor to keep in mind when looking into laminate flooring. Engineered wood flooring tends to be more expensive than plastic laminate. Laminate flooring is also available in a variety of textures including embossed, embossed in register, and handscrapped. Textures can add a more realistic appearance to your laminate flooring, however, they can also increase the price tag for the flooring. Basic inexpensive laminate flooring averages between $.90 and $2 per square foot while more realistic looking laminate typically ranges between $3 and $7 per square foot. For professional installation, add another $2 to $5 per square foot to the total.
Lifespan
If you are considering placing laminate flooring into your home, lifespan is something that you should look into. With proper care, the average lifespan of laminate flooring is between 15 and 25 years. The main drawback to laminate flooring is that unlike hardwood flooring it cannot be refinished. Once the top layer wears down, the flooring must be replaced. However, with proper care, laminate flooring is still a great way to get the look of hardwood flooring for a fraction of the price.
Laminate flooring is a great option for homeowners who want the look of hardwood flooring without the high cost. Laminate is extremely durable and can last between 15 and 25 years before needing replacement. There are a variety of laminate types to choose from including plastic laminate and engineered hardwood. In general engineered hardwood tends to be more expensive than plastic laminate.
