Laminate Flooring Buying Guide

One of the many benefits of laminate flooring is its versatility. Laminate flooring is available in numerous styles, colors and looks, and it is well suited to many different environments. However, this very advantage—the wide variety of products available—can also be a bit overwhelming. It may be difficult to narrow down the options available to you, and select the right product and look for your floors.

If you are wondering if laminate flooring is the best choice for your home or building, read on to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of laminate flooring, appropriate applications, as well as the most popular styles available today.

What is laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring is a synthetic flooring option that’s been popular throughout homes and commercial buildings since the 1970s. It was the first flooring option that offered an alternative to authentic hardwood, while still delivering realistic wood looks. Since the 70s, laminate floorings have improved drastically, both in performance and in styles; and it remains a popular hard flooring choice today.

There are many reasons laminate flooring is so popular. At the top of the list, laminate generally offers a lower cost and lower maintenance in comparison to real wood flooring or tile. It’s also available to mimic the appearance of either of these options, with many different styles and color choices readily available.

Laminate flooring construction

Made up of several layers, laminate flooring starts with a backing or balance layer, which provides stability to the flooring. It both supports the floor and keeps the floor balanced to help prevent warping. Next, the core layer delivers much of the durability of the product. Typically the thickest layer of the flooring, the core is composed of a wood-based fiber that has been glued and pressed together. Next up is the design layer, which features a high-quality printed image in the pattern of choice. From warm and traditional wood looks to trendy white-washed or gray planks, the design layer is what gives laminate its enviable looks. Finally, the wear layer is applied to keep the laminate looking better longer. This layer is often made of the very-tough aluminum oxide, and it provides protection against scratches, scuffs and stains.

When choosing a laminate flooring product, it’s not necessary to consider each of these layers separately. Instead, you can get an idea of the quality of the product from a few different features. First, consider the look of the samples. There is a difference in quality of the designs in products, with the highest quality images giving the most authentic looking wood or stone flooring.

When choosing a laminate flooring product, it’s not necessary to consider each of these layers separately. Instead, you can get an idea of the quality of the product from a few different features. First, consider the look of the samples. There is a difference in quality of the designs in products, with the highest quality images giving the most authentic looking wood or stone flooring.

Another consideration is the thickness of the product. Most laminates are between 6 and 12mm. A thicker laminate can allow for more detailed etching on some distressed style wood-look laminates. It will feel more similar to real wood, and a thicker product can lower the echo in your room. Along with these advantages, thicker laminate flooring often comes with a higher price tag compared with thinner products.

Common Applications

In choosing a laminate flooring, it’s critical to not only choose a look you love, but also consider where the product will be installed and select accordingly. Laminates are a popular choice for both residential and commercial properties; yet, not all laminates are suited for both.

The AC rating refers to its “Abrasion Class”, which represents how well the laminate will hold up against wear and also indicates where it should be used. Think of the AC rating as a guide to how strong and durable the flooring is—one that’s determined through a vigorous testing process. AC ratings range from 1 – 5, with AC1 being appropriate for low-traffic areas and rising all the way to AC5 ratings for heaviest foot traffic in commercial buildings. Generally, an AC rating of 1 – 3 will work for most homes, since they will have less foot traffic than commercial places. Commercial buildings, such as high traffic shopping centers, should choose a laminate with an AC rating of 4 or 5.

What are the advantages of laminate flooring?

There is a reason why laminate flooring has remained such a mainstay in homes and businesses for so long—quite a few reasons, actually. Advantages of laminate flooring, include:

  • Durability -Laminate can resist a lot of wear and damage, making it an ideal option even for high-traffic areas, including commercial applications, as well as private residences, even these with active families with kids and/or pets.
  • Scratch resistance -A rugged flooring option, laminate isn’t as susceptible to scratches and dents as some other flooring types such as hard wood.
  • Water resistance –Some manufacturers offer water-resistant laminate options. While these are not considered waterproof, water resistant laminates are built to withstand some topical moisture. However, they are susceptible to damage from pooled or standing water, so all spills should be wiped up immediately.
  • Ease of maintenance –Laminate flooring offers easy cleaning and maintenance. Regular sweeping and dry mopping or wiping with a damp cloth is typically all that’s needed.
  • Style options –Available in classic hardwood looks, trendy options such as distressed wood looks and many more options, there’s a laminate option that will look good in any space, from traditional to modern and anywhere in between.
  • Comfort underfoot –Laminates, especially those that include an underlayment, are considered a softer feeling flooring and are more comfortable for standing on for extended periods compared with authentic hardwood and tile flooring.
  • Ease of installation –Laminate flooring is not secured to the ground, but uses an interlocking design. It is considered a floating flooring system and, because of this, it can be installed by a professional or completed by a competent DIY-er.
  • Cost effective –Laminates vary in cost according to the type and manufacturer, but they are typically significantly lower cost than hardwood or tile floors, with similar looks available to these more expensive options. Generally, water-resistant laminate planks cost more than non, and the price is also higher if the underlay is attached. The appearance can also affect the price, with high quality images that result in more realistic looking floors costing more.

Limitations of Laminate Flooring

Of course, every type of flooring will have certain drawbacks. Here are some potential cons of laminate flooring:

  • Susceptible to water damage – While there are some water-resistant options, laminate is not considered a waterproof flooring option. Due to this, it is typically not recommended for full bathrooms or moisture-prone basements. For these areas, tile or luxury vinyl plank flooring may be a better alternative.
  • Poor sound insulation – Laminate flooring doesn’t provide sound insulation as well as some types of flooring, such as carpet.
  • Appearance –While new technologies can make products that look incredibly similar to real wood, the fact is that it’s not quite the real thing. If you truly want the look and feel of real wood, then it may be worth the cost of the actual product.

Style Options

Laminate floors are available in different textures that can impact the overall appearance of the flooring. A flat texture is just what it sounds like; while a wood-grain texture will resemble the classic appearance and feel of etched wood floors. Embossed texture takes it a step further, featuring ridges to resemble a more worn wood floor that’s rich in character and charm. There are also laminate floors available to mimic the handscraped look and feel of some of today’s most popular rustic wood choices.

As previously mentioned, Wood-look laminate flooring is extremely popular. By choosing a wood flooring alternative, such as laminate, you get an incredibly similar look to real wood flooring, at a lower cost and with less maintenance than real wood, which is susceptible to moisture damage. If you are going with a wood-look laminate, you can pick from all the popular species used for authentic hardwood flooring. For a tried-and-true traditional look, consider an oak pattern in a warm beige or brown color. Hickory patterns will resemble the warm and worn pattern of this species; while maple, pine and cherry each bring distinctive looks and characters to your space.

Distressed looking wood flooring is popular now, and it can bring a warm and inviting feel into your home, with a one-of-a-kind feel to it. Distressed looks are created to mimic the appearance of knots and scrapes, giving the laminate the character of authentic wood.

When it comes to wood-look laminates, color options abound. Gray has been a popular interior choice for all kinds of items, from wall colors to furniture and even décor, and it continues to be a popular flooring choice as well. Gray wood-look laminate flooring can complement different design styles, from casual farmhouse to sleek and contemporary homes. Gray is also beneficial in that it matches well with many different colors, from other neutral colored furniture to bright and bold pieces, as well as most wall colors.

Whitewashed floors are popular due to their ability to brighten up a room and mix well with a variety of styles and furnishings. High-variation planks offer a bold choice that looks both very welcoming and current.

Consider a laminate that comes in wide planks that are a bit nostalgic but with current colors and patterns so they don’t look outdated.

Installation

Laminate is considered a floating floor. It is laid directly on top of many types of existing flooring, such as tile, wood and vinyl, using an interlocking system in the place of glue, tape and other products. With relatively easy installation, laminate can be a DIY project, or you can hire a professional installer. Here are a few factors to consider:

  • An underlayment, which is a thin layer of foam, helps minimize sound, and it also helps your laminate last longer. Some laminates will come with an attached underlayment.
  • A vapor barrier can help protect laminate flooring from moisture.

While quality laminate floors should hold up for years and years, one downside to laminate is that they can’t be refurbished or refinished. When it’s time for a new look, the laminate needs to be removed. A silver lining to this is that the uninstall process is also an easy one. They can typically be pried up (again, completely manageable for many DIYers), leaving the subfloor without damage for reuse with fresh laminate or another flooring choice.

Maintenance

Let’s face it, whether you have pets, kids or just accident-prone friends, spills are bound to happen. When they occur on laminate, the most important thing is to quickly blot up spills, so the moisture doesn’t seep through and cause damage underneath. Since these floors aren’t waterproof, you shouldn’t wet mop or use liquid cleaning material, as this can cause swelling and warping with time. Use cleaning products according to the manufacturer’s directions. Here are a few other tips to keep your laminate floor looking its best longer:

  • Use mats or rugs near your entryway to reduce the amount of dirt and moisture being carried into the house from dirty shoes.
  • Employ furniture slides and glides to minimize damage to your floors from heavy furnishings.
  • Use a humidifier and/or dehumidifier to keep your humidity levels in a normal range and prevent damage from expanding and contracting floors.
  • Don’t use cleaning products with harsh chemicals, such as chlorinated cleaners.
  • Do not use floor polishes on laminate floors.

As we’ve learned, there are several considerations when choosing laminate flooring for a wide range of spaces in your home or business. From the latest trends such as distressed wood looks or gray looks, there’s a style option for everyone. It’s also important to choose the appropriate flooring based on its AC rating. Once you’ve chosen a laminate flooring, you can start to enjoy the easy installation process, low maintenance, and many other advantages of laminate.