What should you know about laminate flooring?
For many, the allure of laminate flooring Vancouver, WA lies in the affordability offered by the wood flooring alternatives. It has never been cheaper to give your house those rustic wooden floors at a fraction of the cost of original wood. And for people looking to try out laminate flooring Vancouver, WA, there are virtually limitless options in terms of wood species (some offer replicas of classics such as pine, oak, and Prado) and an array of unique portfolios based on tile, stone, and even metal.
Laminate flooring varieties even extend into artistic designs such as antiqued wood which gives any house an air of regality and sophistication. But when you put the aesthetics aside and consider the practicality of laminate floors, are they worth it?
Here are some of the things every homeowner should know before opting for laminate flooring.
The Perks of Laminate Flooring
- Of course, the most attractive thing about laminate flooring is the affordability and the availability of various portfolios to choose from. Laminate flooring comprises of a high-resolution image of the desired material (be it wood, tile, or stone) glued atop a fiberboard core with a treated bottom that is resistant to moisture damage. The resilience of the floor boards is ensured by a tough, ding, and scratch-free top layer that rarely wears out.
- Laminate flooring is very easy to install. Its edges are designed to snap together with its ends for seamless, tool-free joining. Laminate flooring isn’t as prone to insect infestation as wood flooring.
- Laminate boards are made with consideration to the volatile nature of humidity. It is rare to find any seams widening when the humidity in a room is too high.
- Quick installation is one of the perks of laminate flooring, but the fact that you don’t have to tear off any preexisting floors is an even bigger advantage. The laminate boards are installed over a thin layer of foam cushion which can be used on virtually any type of floor (except over carpeted floors) without having to tear it out first.
- The edge-and-end snap joins fit seamlessly together without the need for using any glues.
- The material of the laminate boards is entirely synthetic; there is no risk of experiencing the same rot problems that arise with wood floors.
- Laminate flooring offers you a tough, easy-to-maintain surface that can be polished easily and only requires an occasional sweeping to look as good as new.
The Letdowns
- As resilient as the best laminate floors are, none of them can survive moisture damage. It is recommended that you don’t install laminate flooring in areas prone to water spillages, such as the bathroom, laundry rooms, or basement floors. You should also be very keen to wipe off any spillages immediately.
- With laminate floors, there is no refinishing; once worn out, the only thing to do is to find a replacement.
- The attractiveness of laminate flooring only goes as far as its appearance. The material still feels quite synthetic and is a lot louder than ordinary wood floors.
- Most manufacturers make the top wear layer of laminate floors from non-biodegradable plastics or worse, chemicals such as formaldehyde and other toxic VOCs.
Is Laminate Flooring Worth It?
Considering the affordability and the attractiveness of these faux wooden alternatives, laminate flooring is highly cost-effective and offers great value for money. Although they require a lot less attention in terms of maintenance, laminate floors are much less resilient and cannot be refinished when they get old. Nevertheless, they are a great way to class up the interior of any house without spending an arm and a leg.
