Laminate flooring looks very similar to engineered or solid wood flooring on the surface. It was developed decades ago as a much more inexpensive alternative to wood flooring. As styles and trends have changed over the years, laminate flooring manufacturers have developed higher quality laminate with dozens of designs and wood species patterns. Laminate makes a great flooring for DIY-ers due to the fact that laminate snaps together and uses no nails or glue. Though it may look like real wood, laminate flooring cannot be refinished and will need to be replaced once the wear layer has been worn through.

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Much like luxury vinyl planks (LVP), laminate is created by using a high-resolution image of actual wood that's extremely detailed and highly realistic. The image is then printed and glued to a substrate of fiberboard (pressed wood) which is then treated to prevent moisture damage. The final step to creating laminate is covering the entire piece in a clear wear layer (usually aluminum oxide) to prevent scratches and dings. Due to the visible wood-look layer being a high-resolution image and not natural wood grain, there is a repeat pattern of about every 6-10 planks, depending on the manufacturer. This repeat pattern is more noticeable on some laminate than on others.

 

Contrary to popular belief, laminate is NOT waterproof, merely water resistant. The pressed-wood fiberboard will be ruined by prolonged exposure to sitting water, making laminate a not-ideal choice for laundry rooms, bathrooms, or any room with a floor drain.

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Though laminate flooring is a beautiful and less expensive alternative to traditional wood flooring, it will not generate the same return on your investment as wood. Generally, buyers will pay a premium for natural wood. That being said, any solid surface floor, including laminate, is preferred by prospective home buyers over carpet. Taking into consideration that laminate has come so far in the last few years and is considered to be much higher quality than ever before, laminate is still a great investment.

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     Most flooring installers will recommend making sure your laminate flooring is at your home 7-10 days before installation so your flooring can acclimate to the humidity and temperature fluctuations of your home or business. Laminate flooring is not subject to the same expansion and contraction that wood flooring experiences, but due to the pressed wood interior, an acclimation period is always good to have. 

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     We've created a printable PDF of our care and maintenance guide that was written by flooring installers with decades of experience. Following the maintenance rules in our comprehensive guide will help you to protect your flooring investment, keeping it looking timeless and elegant for years to come. 

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If you have any questions, please contact us, either by calling our store or filling out a contact form for a flooring representative to discuss options.