The pros and cons of laminate flooring

When our current house was undergoing a renovation before we moved in I was given the choice of flooring, and having lived with laminate in our London flat and having found it to be a positive experience I chose to remain carpet free in our new home. Laminate flooring was invented as an inexpensive alternative to real wood, which can be very pricey, and today you can find a huge range of types of wood from oak, hickory and heartwood pine to more exotic species such as tigerwood.

Laminate flooring is made from a core of fibreboard backed with a moisture safe bottom later and covered on top with a high-resolution image of real wood or other materials, coated in a clear top layer to prevent scratches and dents. Laminate can come in all sorts of styles such as antiqued and rustic allowing you to create the perfect real wood look in your home but for a fraction of the price. You can also get laminate which looks like stone, tile and metal perfect for a more modern look! Check out this range of laminate flooring for some inspiration.

If you’re not sure if you want to go with laminate then check out these pros and cons to help you make up your mind.

The positives

Installing laminate is easy – it comes in planks or tiles with edges which have been designed to snap together so there’s no need for expensive and complicated tools or glues.
Laminate can be installed on top of most other floors (not carpet!) as it sits on top of a thin foam underlayer, so there’s no need to spend hours ripping up old flooring before laying it down.
The flooring has been designed with a stable construction which prevents the seams from opening during changes in moisture level, so you don’t need to worry about trip hazards.
Laminate has been designed to be very touch and hardwearing which makes cleaning and maintenance easy. It is perfect in a functional setting where practicality is your priority – our house is home to a labrador puppy who loves to get muddy! We have found that a quick mop and sweeping/hoovering every week or so keeps it looking new and paw-print free.
Solid hardwood can stain and is vulnerable to strong sunlight; laminate does not suffer from these problems.

The negatives

Although the flooring is protected against moisture, even the best flooring will become damaged with frequent exposure to high humidity. Avoid using laminate in rooms where there is a good chance of high moisture such as laundry rooms, bathrooms and basements which tend to flood etc.
Unlike real wood which can be refinished after a period of use, laminate needs to be replaced when it is worn out so check the warranty when making your purchase. It’s generally worth spending a bit more on your laminate to get a product which will last longer whereas cheaper options can wear out faster.
Although laminate looks like real wood it is, of course, different and doesn’t have the same feel when being walked on – although this has never bothered me!
Laminate flooring can be a bit slippery underfoot as it has a smooth surface. If you’re concerned about accidents occurring be sure to use floor coverings on large areas.
Hardwood and engineered wood give you better value when selling your property than laminate but of course, these are much dearer to purchase.
Sadly laminate contains plastic that doesn’t degrade in landfills and some chemicals such as formaldehyde which can be damaging to the environment.

Overall for our lifestyle laminate has been the best choice, perfect for dealing with countryside life and the abuse from an often muddy dog! Would you give laminate a go in your home?