Laminate flooring is an easy-to-install, attractive, and durable alternative to solid hardwood flooring. Yet no floor covering is perfect. Laminate remains a budget flooring material in performance, appearance, and reputation. Because product quality differs greatly, the life expectancy can also vary. Some laminate floors can last as much as 25 years or more in rooms that see light use, while others installed in heavy traffic areas may need replacement in as little as 10 years. In all of the major categories related to flooring—installation, cleaning, durability, and more—laminate flooring possesses both pros and cons.
Advantages
Laminate is cost-effective. Because laminate flooring is made mostly from composite wood pressed together at high temperatures, it’s considerably more affordable than natural timber, which can be quite expensive depending on how exotic the tree is.
Not only is the composite timber material of laminate flooring hard-wearing, but the uppermost layer of laminate also offers fantastic scratch resistance. The top coating of laminate floorboards will survive high traffic, rowdy kids and pet’s claws. UV resistance also means the color of your floors is less likely to fade over time. Laminate flooring is also easy to keep clean. Spills and marks can simply be wiped away with a soft microfiber cloth and it’s easy to sweep or vacuum away any dirt and dust.
Developments in laminate flooring technology mean the difference between natural timber and laminate is much harder to distinguish today. Many laminate floorboards feature unique embossing to accurately mimic the appearance and texture of natural wood.
As a type of floating floor, laminate flooring typically features a simple lock-together system which is very easy to use, so DIY installation is possible.
A chic and refined entryway with white walls and dark laminate flooring, a black console and a round mirror in a gilded frame.
A chic living room with taupe walls and a grey laminate floor, stylish modern furniture, a fireplace and pretty art.
A chic living room with white walls and a neutral laminate floor, elegant modern furniture and a dark stained dresser.
A chic space with an arched doorway, laminate floors and a vintage chair plus much natural light coming through windows.
A contemporary blue kitchen with a laminate floor and skylights, a kitchen island with a table and wooden stools.
A contemporary living room with white walls and laminate floors, stylish furniture, a console with candles and bold artworks.
A cozy living room with tan walls and oak laminate floors, a grey sofa, neutral textiles and potted plants, baskets for storage.
A dove grey farmhouse kitchen with a rich-stained laminate floor, a marble subway tile backsplash and white countertops.
A farmhouse entryway with white paneling, light-stained laminate flooring and stylish furniture is welcoming.
A farmhouse living room with white planked walls, a dark laminate floor, dark vintage-inspired furniture and baskets.
A grey farmhouse kitchen with shaker-style cabinets, a dark laminate floor, a white tile backsplash and neutral fixtures.
A minimalist white kitchen with a neutral laminate floor, black appliances and sleek surfaces is a very chic space.
Disadvantages
Laminate flooring’s top layers are designed to protect against wear and create a convincing timber illusion. These cannot be sanded down, as doing so may bare the photographic layer and destroy the resilience of the floorboards.
Being made of wood, laminate flooring is not impervious to the effects of moisture. Therefore, it’s not suitable as a hard flooring for bathrooms and should be used with caution in kitchens or laundries. Light surface water for cleaning shouldn’t cause issues, but saturation must be avoided.
A modern living room with neutral walls, a laminate floor, a grey sofa, a hexagon table and pretty pillows.
A modern living room with white walls and laminate flooring, a grey sectional, wooden furniture, a rug and a bold artwork.
A modern space with white walls, light-colored laminate flooring, neutral furniture and wooden stools plus greenery.
A simple cozy farmhouse kitchen design.
A nature-inspired entryway with off-white walls and a dark laminate floor, a wooden bench, lots of plants and a mini gallery wall.
A neutral entryway done in creamy tones and with a neutral laminate floor, with artworks and pendant paper lamps.
A neutral farmhouse space with laminate flooring, white walls, wooden furniture, potted plants and a pendant lamp.
A neutral space with white and greyish walls, a neutral laminate floor and nothing else is very airy and feels light.
A Nordic space with white walls and light-colored laminate flooring, grey and white furniture, potted plants and blooms.
A Scandinavian kitchen with white and light grey planked cabinetry, laminate floors, baskets and black fixtures is very chic.
A Scandinavian space with white walls and light laminate floors, a glass table and white chairs, lots of natural light inside.
A stylish contemporary living room with several windows, a white sofa and chair, a wooden coffee table and statement plants plus laminate floors.
A stylish living room with white walls, a neutral laminate floor, unique furniture pieces and a fireplace plus lamps.
A stylish modern entryway with grey walls and neutral laminate floors, a bench with pillows is cool and welcoming.
A two-tone kitchen in blue and white, with laminate flooring, white walls and windows for natural light.
A vintage farmhouse dining room with white paneling and laminate floors, a round black table, white upholstered chairs and a chandelier.
A vintage space with brick walls and laminate flooring, grey upholstered furniture, a vintage credenza for storage and pendant lamps.
A white farmhouse kitchen with a dark laminate floor that contrast each other and make the space look amazing.
A white farmhouse kitchen with dark laminate floors, a grey subway tiles, pendant lamps and rattan stools is chic and cool.
A white shabby chic living room with light-colored laminate flooring, white furniture and refined accessories is elegant.
An airy Nordic space with white walls, lots of natural light, light-colored laminate flooring, black and white furniture is chic.