What Is The Best Laminate Flooring – Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair and DIY. Tried, true, trusted home advice
7 Things to Know Before Choosing Laminate Flooring Learn how the new and improved, hard-working laminate flooring stacks up against the competition.
What Is The Best Laminate Flooring
First introduced in the 1970s, laminate flooring consists of layers of synthetic material designed to look like wood or stone. It quickly became a popular choice due to its durability and low cost, gaining a reputation as an affordable alternative to the original item. Today’s laminate has come a long way since it first entered the market, and as its quality and appearance continue to improve, there are more options than are available now. To determine whether this material is right for your budget, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences, first consider these pros and cons of laminate flooring.
Difference Between Laminate And Vinyl Flooring
All laminate flooring consists of a core layer with an image layer in which a digitally enhanced photo of the natural material is embedded to mimic everything from exotic hardwoods to concrete to natural stone—a major plus. It comes in various colors, lengths and widths and these days, can even be textured to give the flooring a more realistic feel. However, some critics insist that no matter how high-end a product, laminate simply cannot compare to the natural beauty of real wood or stone.
Laminate flooring can run half the price of wood flooring but, with wood, you’ll find a range of different qualities. Some look more realistic than others, and some are less substantial in different layer thicknesses, making them more likely to wear out more quickly than a high-quality product. You’ll typically find laminate options starting at less than $1 per square foot and going up to around $5 per square foot.
Despite the technological advancements in laminate flooring, it still derives its appearance from the image layer alone, which cannot be sanded and refined as it begins to wear. Wood, of course, is renewed many times over its lifetime, likely lasting for decades. So even if the upfront cost is right for laminate, know that in the long run, it’s better to buy wood. Additionally, wood provides a high return on investment in terms of your home’s resale value.
You’d be surprised how long laminate can last knowing it’s not naturally treated. Fortunately, there is a highly durable wear layer on top of the image layer designed to withstand foot traffic, sun fading, scratches, dents and stains. And if a part is damaged, you can often replace an individual plank. But if you can’t pull up an unsightly plank, repairing a scratch or dent in laminate flooring can be tricky at best and impossible at worst.
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Bob Vila has partnered with Empire Today to help you easily get beautiful new floors at a great price.
Most manufacturers have an AC (Abrasion Criteria) rating assigned to each product, which describes the specific uses for which they are best placed. The higher the AC rating, the more durable the product. Keep these numbers in mind when shopping to choose a product that can withstand the demands of your home and get the longest life possible:
Excess water can cause laminate flooring to warp or stain, so aside from sweeping and vacuuming if necessary, it should usually be cleaned carefully with plain water. Use a flat mop and squeeze out the water before each pass. For tougher cleaning jobs, use a commercial laminate cleaner. An acetone-based solution (such as nail polish remover) can help tackle tough stains.
Laminate is popular among DIYers because it is so easily installed over structurally sound subfloors. Laminate planks are not glued to the floor so there is no glue. Instead, the laminate rests on the required underlayment and attaches to adjacent pieces using snap-and-lock or tongue-and-groove joinery. A weekend room can be done by a moderately handy home owner. But be careful: one of the biggest problems during installation is damaging the edges of the tiles, making them more susceptible to water seepage.
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To be fully covered by your laminate manufacturer’s warranty, professional installation may be necessary. Review your product’s warranty terms before purchasing if you plan to DIY the job. When you’re building, remodeling, or simply renovating a home, there’s always that one thing that can make or break the look of the space. That’s the flooring.
We’ve flipped several houses over the past 13 years and in doing so, we’ve found some products we love!
While remodeling a foreclosure home, we found our flooring from an unlikely place, Sam’s Club! We looked at several places for flooring and our favorite was there, so after reading the reviews we took a chance and decided to give it a go!
You We absolutely loved it. It’s easy to install, super budget friendly and beautiful…all in one. This is a winning combo! We’ve never had a problem using Select Surfaces.
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Fast forward a few years later, when we were building our forever home (which is finally where we are now! Hoo Hoo!)
We knew we wanted laminate flooring. It was perfect for our family and our needs. It was never discussed. Durability We know it can withstand the wear and tear of what we know our family needs! So, what did I do? I looked to re-select surfaces for our flooring needs. This is my first choice because I know how amazing their product is!
At this point, I was surprised to see that their flooring was even better! They have more color options, they’ve improved their thickness and moisture resistance, and more (check out their website here and see for yourself!). Once again I was sold.
Do you remember when I went live on my Facebook page asking for your opinion on what color I should use in my new home and giving away a $500 Sam’s Club gift card? Well, you all are thinking like me… and we all agree that Driftwood is the best choice.
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I certainly couldn’t be happier! This is the absolute perfect choice for my home! We’ve used it in every area of our home, except for the bathrooms and where we used our brick flooring (kitchen, entry and laundry room). I wanted to share some pictures from our living room so you can see for yourself how amazing the flooring really is. As I finish decorating more rooms, you will continue to see more pictures!!
So, if you’re in the market for a little renovation in your home or you’re building your own dream home, I can say with 100% honesty, choose surfaces all day…all day. You can look online at their website or go to your local Sam’s Club (or shop online). They make it so easy for you!
If you want to see the exact flooring I got, you can go right here! DRIFTWOOD Select Surfaces This post may contain references or links to products from our parent company and/or one or more partners of our parent company’s affiliates. For more information, visit this page.
What products should you look out for and what should you avoid? What characteristics should a high-quality laminate have? And most importantly, what are the best laminate flooring brands to buy?
Color Variation In Flooring: Which Look Is Best For Your Home?
Don’t worry, friend: we’ve got the answers. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about buying the best laminate flooring—plus, we’ve included updated laminate flooring reviews for 2022 so you know exactly which brands are right for you.
We break down the makeup of laminate, what to look for (and avoid) when buying it, how to install it, its pros and cons, and our list of the 11 best laminate flooring brands around. Finally, we answer some frequently asked questions about the world of laminate flooring.
More specifically, it is a multi-layered blend of organic and synthetic materials that is durable and affordable. And when it is
Made to mimic a variety of wood flooring, it can also take the form of tile and stone.
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Laminate was originally a budget flooring option designed to meet the demand created by the explosion in home ownership in the 1970s. This initial laminate is not perfect
Today, the best laminate flooring products improve dramatically on the original formula: they are more durable, offer a more realistic look, and are still some of the most affordable flooring types.
In fact, if you compare modern laminate vs. hardwood floors, you’ll find that laminate is cheaper, easier to install, and in some cases more durable. Plus: It looks (and feels)
We mentioned above that laminate is a multi-layer floor. And generally speaking, it consists of three main layers (although it depends on the product). From below, they are:
Laminate Flooring Installation Costs + Prices Per Square Foot
Most laminate flooring also requires an underlayment, which serves some purpose, such as sealing in moisture or providing a more comfortable feel underfoot.
And of course, many manufacturers add their own
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