What are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Laminate Flooring?

Laminate Flooring

When it comes to flooring, you have quite a wide range of options to choose from. And, laminate flooring is one of the most popular options among them. It’s a great alternative to other types of flooring. Moreover, laminate flooring has improved better with time since it was first developed. 

Thinking of getting laminate flooring for your home? From what it seems, it’s surely a worthwhile choice. However, it has some cons, just like it has pros. So, you must not decide on this matter before you consider both of them. Only after that should you reach out to handyman services and get laminate flooring. 

What is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring was developed around a century ago and has been in use since then. This type of flooring consists of multiple layers of synthetic materials. These layers are fused by lamination. 

Also, laminate floorings usually replicate wood or stone. And, for that, they’re covered with a photographic applique layer to emulate the material. They’re also covered with a protective layer above that.

So, laminate flooring consists of three layers. And, at the core, there’s usually fiberboard materials and melamine resin. You can consult experts associated with handyman services to decide whether laminate flooring is the best for our requirements. 

What are the Pros of Getting a Laminate Flooring?

From that, it seems, laminate flooring offers you quite a wide range of advantages. After all, that’s why it’s one of the most commonly used flooring types. So, here are some of the main pros that you’d find in it: 

Offers a Vast Range of Options

As mentioned before, laminate flooring uses photographic applique layers. And, they’re usually made to simulate stone or wood. But, you have a wide range of options when it comes to their appearance. Reputable handyman services can offer you a wide range of colour, texture, and grain options. 

You might not get the same variety of options in other flooring types. So, this is one of the main reasons to try out laminate flooring. 

Easy to Install

Certain types of flooring can be quite complicated to install in your home. As a result, they may take up a significant amount of time. But, laminate flooring offers you a viable option, as many experts from handyman services would agree. They’re designed in a way that makes them easier to install, and you can simply snap their planks together. 

Moreover, you can also install laminate flooring at your home all by yourself. Now, most other options out there don’t allow you to do that. So, this is another significant benefit of laminate flooring. 

Requires Little Maintenance

Due to its designs and materials, you won’t need to put much effort to clean it up. Also, handyman services can handle that task for you if you need assistance. 

Very Durable

Durability is an important aspect to consider when it comes to floorings. And, laminated flooring can last as many as 25 years. So, you probably won’t need to replace it anytime soon after getting it. Moreover, laminate floorings offer more scratch resistance than other types. And, this is yet another aspect that makes them a great alternative.

Low-Cost

Laminate flooring costs less than many other flooring types, including hardwood flooring. Apart from that, as mentioned before, it’s easier to install as well. So, Handyman services can help you install them at very affordable and fair prices. Looking at the other benefits you get, this one is quite an important one as well. 

Water-Resistant

This is quite a well-known benefit of laminate flooring. And, it’s one of the main reasons why people may choose them over other types. After all, water can cause quite a lot of damage to your flooring. And, that’s quite a common occurrence due to washing machine leakages and other reasons. 

But, you must keep in mind that not all types of laminate flooring are water-resistant. So, you must contact professional handyman services in case of water leakages on your flooring. 

Anti-Termite

Termites are a serious threat to houses, and you must take every precaution to prevent them. Among other areas, the flooring of your home can get infested with termites as well. But, you can avoid that with certain kinds of laminate flooring. So, choosing the right type can help you keep out termites. 

Read More: How Can I Design My Own Luxury Home Floor Plans?

What are the Cons of Laminate Floorings?

As we’ve seen, laminate flooring offers you many great benefits. Now, you might want to look at its drawbacks as well. So, here are some of the most prominent ones among them: 

Looks Fake

Do you want your flooring to look like authentic hardwood? Then, you must get hardwood flooring with the help of certified handyman services. After all, laminate floorings can’t offer you the authentic appearance that you might prefer. They might give the kind of look you desire from a distance. But, from up close, they usually look fake. So, this is among the most significant cons of having laminate flooring. 

Can Harm the Environment

This is an important reason why many people might opt for other types of floorings. After all, laminate floorings usually contain certain toxic chemicals like formaldehyde. And, they might also release harmful compounds into the air. So, you might want to consult experts from handyman services for viable alternatives. 

However, the latest laminate floorings usually contain a fewer amount of harmful chemicals. But, they’re not free of them yet. Also, you can find many other suitable options, if you’re looking for any. 

Doesn’t Allow Refinishing

As mentioned before, laminate floorings last for quite a long time. But, they do wear out after a certain amount of time after all. And once they do so, you can’t refinish them. Now, that poses a significant disadvantage when compared to other flooring types. After all, the other options allow you to refinish them. And, for that, you need to contact reliable handyman services for an optimal result. 

As a result, hardwood flooring often lasts longer as compared to laminated ones. 

Vulnerable to Water Damage

Laminate floorings may be quite resistant to water, but they’re not waterproof after all conditions. So, they’re vulnerable to water damage in case of heavy leakage. They might be able to handle little amounts of moisture. But, if the leakage continues for too long, they might give in. So, you might want to consider other options. 

However, this drawback may apply to other flooring types as well. Thus, you must hire experienced handyman services to fix any leaks. 

Can Face Installation Problems

Have you decided to install laminate flooring all by yourself? In that case, you must make sure to do it properly. Otherwise, you might face various issues related to improper installation, and that includes noisy flooring. So, you might need to get professional help for this task after all. 

Should You Opt for a Professional or DIY Laminate Floor Installation?

Want to save some money on installation costs? Then, you can go for a DIY installation. Otherwise, you can always rely on handyman services for this task. Also, make sure to follow the right procedure, if you’re going for a DIY installation. If required, you must also consider consulting experts regarding that. 

Alexander James
Alexander James is the founder of Homoper.com. The blog focuses on various topics, including home improvement, decor, design, gardening, and real estate. With extensive knowledge and experience in these areas, he is passionate about sharing his expertise with others to assist them in creating a more comfortable and beautiful living space. Follow his blog to learn practical tips and find inspiration for enhancing both your home and garden.