Laminate Flooring and How to Choose It

Do you love the look and feel of natural hardwood or stone floors but don't want to pay the hefty price tag that comes with them? If you answered yes, laminate flooring is just what you need! It's less expensive and is easy to install and maintain. Find out whether laminate is right for your home. 

What Is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is a multi-layered synthetic flooring product that is fused together via a lamination process. The process aims to closely replicate natural hardwood or stone's look and feel in each plank. It also helps make the flooring type quite durable. 

Laminate flooring is an inexpensive and highly practical option for many homes, as it offers the look of natural flooring but uses layered low-cost composite materials. You can find laminate floor options with different designs, finishes and types, leaving you with many choices and price points to consider. 

Composition of Laminate Flooring

So, what exactly are these multi-layer planks made up of? There are four key laminate floor layers:

1. Wear layer: The top layer consists of a transparent wear, or overlay, layer. It seals and protects the flooring from everyday wear and tear. This layer also shields the flooring from fading caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays. 
2. Decorative layer: The image layer gives laminate its wood- or stone-like appearance. It consists of a high-definition photographic print with detailed designs, patterns and colors. 
3. Core layer: This layer is made of high-density fiberboard (HDF). The core layer gives laminate flooring its strength, stability and resistance. 
4. Backing layer: An additional underlayment layer helps protect the flooring from excess moisture and gives it more stability. This base layer also provides soundproofing qualities. 

Types of Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is conveniently packaged with a premeasured number of snap-together or tongue-in-groove planks. Often, a glue backing is applied for easy installation. Installed over the substrate, they are often called "floating floors."

There are two main laminate floor types — engineered wood and plastic laminate.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood utilizes layers of glued-together, genuine wood where each layer is perpendicular to the one above and below for more stability. The top layer of high-quality, thin hardwood is then sealed with an acrylic finish. 

Engineered wood is perfect for those who prefer the natural wood look. However, it comes with a cost. This type of flooring may cost more than double the amount of plastic laminate. Also, its thin top layer of hardwood can make it more susceptible to water or moisture damage and daily wear and tear. 

Unlike plastic laminate, engineered wood can, to a certain extent, be sanded and refinished to increase its lifespan. It is an excellent choice for the traditionalist who wants natural wood flooring with the durability of laminate. If you plan to sell your house in the future, buyers may appreciate its real wood look and feel.

Plastic Laminate

Plastic laminate is completely synthetic. It's engineered to look like natural hardwood or stone but has a laminated finish designed for busy, active homes. From cat claws and roller skates to high chairs and tap shoes, laminate was made for real life and real messes. 

Typically around half the price of engineered wood, plastic laminate is more durable, water-resistant and less likely to stain. It's perfect for those who want a flooring type that can withstand everyday messes, thanks to its internal components and hardy topcoat. 

Benefits of Laminate Flooring

Laminate can be an all-around great flooring option that offers several advantages.

High Durability

One of the biggest advantages of laminate flooring is its hardiness. Laminate holds up well under foot traffic and spills. Plus, laminate is scratch-resistant, so you won't have to worry about your furniture damaging your new flooring as much as you would with a real wood floor. 

Whether you're dealing with stains, scratches, scrapes or footprints, laminate flooring can resist it — making it a great option for families, especially those with kids and pets. This flooring type can handle high-traffic areas for long periods with grace. 

More Affordable 

To achieve an expensive look for a fraction of the price, many turn to laminate flooring. However, although it's more budget-friendly, that doesn't mean its quality is compromised. Aesthetic appeal, functionality, quality and practicality — that's everything that laminate flooring can offer at an affordable price. 

Better Versatility

Technology has come a long way, allowing manufacturers to make wood-grain prints more realistic. Some people may not even be able to tell the difference between real hardwood and laminate. Additionally, you can find various laminate flooring choices in different colors, patterns and textures. There's sure to be a style perfect for your home!

Low Maintenance

It's simple to clean and maintain laminate flooring when compared to other flooring types. For busy people and families, this is a big selling point. Accidents happen, and when they do, there's little to no elbow grease needed. All you need is a laminate flooring cleaning solution and a microfiber mop or cloth — simple. Laminate flooring's stain-resistant overlay adds another layer of protection. 

As an example, with carpeting, frequent professional cleanings are recommended. As a result of the cost and time required for these cleanings, carpeting can be a much higher maintenance option. Since maintaining laminate flooring is much easier than carpet, you can also expect a longer life from laminate as well.

Easy Installation

Those looking to save money on their home improvement projects can benefit from laminate because it makes for an easy DIY project. In particular, click-together laminate flooring is super simple to install. 

Of course, if you don't want to install it yourself, a professional will have no trouble tackling the job. Since it's relatively simple for someone who knows what they are doing, the professional installation process should be a smooth, quick process.

More Comfortable

The plastic or foam underlayment attached to laminate flooring makes it comfortable to walk on. Without this layer, your laminate flooring would sit directly on concrete or plywood — hence the need for an underlayer. 

Depending on the product, the backing layer is either made from plastic or foam. Regardless of what material they are made of, they serve to provide cushioning, soundproofing and stability. 

How to Choose Laminate Flooring

Here's how to pick laminate flooring for your home based on several factors, ranging from its width to its texture. 

Thickness

Laminate thickness can range from 7 millimeters to 12 millimeters, which usually includes the core and attached pad. All laminate flooring offers the same level of dent resistance. The thicker flooring is less likely to bend and buckle in areas where the floor is uneven.

Width

Plank widths vary from 3 inches to just over 7 inches wide. Keep in mind, however, that the wider the plank, the greater the chance of warping and buckling.

Abrasion Criteria Rating

The abrasion criteria (AC) rating is used to indicate the overall durability of a floor. It measures the resistance to abrasions, dents and stains and is broken down into five levels:

• AC1: This home flooring option would be best in low-traffic areas like bedrooms.
• AC2: Also best for home use, AC2 flooring is approved for medium-use areas.
• AC3: This flooring is appropriate for use in high-traffic areas of your home, such as the kitchen, dining areas and living rooms.
• AC4: The AC4 rating is appropriate for all home areas and, in some cases, for commercial use.
• AC5: This laminate flooring rating is approved to withstand almost any commercial foot traffic.

The higher the AC rating, the more durable the flooring. AC3 and AC4 are the most common ratings in residential flooring. 

Laminate flooring must undergo a series of tests to be approved with the above ratings. Failing even one test will result in the product being failed for that AC rating.

Texture and Finish

Laminate flooring simulates the texture of natural hardwood or stone flooring and comes in different textures, such as:

• Embossed in register (EIR): This method embosses a non-natural material to give it the look and feel of natural hardwood. It ensures your laminate flooring has the texture of a genuine hardwood floor without the hefty price tag. 
• Hand-scraped: Laminate is pressed to give the look and texture of a genuine hand-scraped hardwood floor. 
• High-gloss: This type of finish gives a glossy, high-end look that is scratch, stain and dent-resistant. This finish is excellent for lower-traffic areas.
• Matte finish: Matte finish offers a grainy or textured finish to your laminate flooring that is ideal for high-traffic areas. This flooring texture provides durability and longevity to your floor that you may not get otherwise.

Textures, finishes and colors can be customized according to your wants and needs.

Wear and Tear

Wear and tear for laminate flooring may be different from a traditional hardwood floor. Much of this will depend on the quality of your flooring choice and the area where it's placed. 

Elements that affect the laminate's quality include: 

• Moisture and temperature: Laminate flooring is ideal for almost any indoor living space. While it doesn't expand and contract in extreme temperatures as hardwood flooring does, it shouldn't be placed in areas with constant moisture exposure. Unless you choose a 100% waterproof or water-resistant option, installing laminate in areas with continual moisture or prone to spills is not recommended. 
• Sunlight: Laminate flooring isn't susceptible to sunlight damage and fading like natural hardwood flooring. For example, deep oak hardwood flooring will fade significantly over time, while the same color laminate will stay the same color as when it was installed. That being said, not all areas of your home are in direct sunlight and are susceptible to fading.
• Wear and tear: Laminate flooring remains durable, even in high-traffic areas. At Carpet & Tile Mart, we consistently hear from customers that they've had their laminate flooring for 10+ years, and it still looks as great as the day they got it. With the most innovative technology, our suppliers work hard to ensure that each plank has the AC rating you've chosen — most even provide a warranty to ensure you love your flooring!

Budgeting for Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is generally affordable, especially when compared to hardwood. Usually, quality laminate flooring is around $1 to $5 per square foot. If you choose to install the flooring yourself, you'll be able to save a bit of money on professional installation fees. With labor, prices can rise to $3 to $14 per square foot.

Buying laminate floors depends on a few factors — which can also affect its pricing. These questions will help you determine how to buy laminate flooring for your home: 

• What is the price per square foot?
• Where will you install the laminate in your home? 
• What is the laminate's thickness? 
• What is the laminate's width? 
• What is the AC rating? 
• What color and design do you want? 
• What type of texture and finish do you want? 
• Does it have an attached underlayment? 
• What kind of warranty does it come with? 
• How will you install the laminate flooring? 

Installation Process

We have good news for DIY enthusiasts — laminate flooring can be installed without professional help. Depending on the type of laminate, it can be installed in a few different ways. However, here are the general steps: 

1. Dry fit the flooring layout: Test how the laminate planks will fit in the room by arranging them. 
2. Install the underlayment: Roll out sheets of foam underlayment for an easier installation process and more stability. 
3. Lay the first row of planks: Lay the first row of laminate planks on the longest wall. Cut where necessary. Thanks to the "floating" design, you likely won't need glue.
4. Lay out the rest of the rows: From the first row, lay the rest of the planks in a staggered fashion so that seams never line up in adjacent rows. Continue until you reach the last row. 

If you're ready to take on the project, you can choose to install laminate planks yourself. However, like most DIY projects, you'll have to allot the necessary time out of your schedule to complete the installation.

Hiring a professional installer can save you a lot of time and reduce the chances of making costly mistakes. This is especially true if you feel like you may end up making a costly mistake while installing the laminate yourself. Contact Carpet & Tile Mart today to get started on your laminate flooring installation!

Maintenance and Care of Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is low maintenance and easy to care for. Here's a general care guide for laminate that you can follow:

• Clean spills as soon as they occur to prevent moisture damage. 
• Give the floor a daily sweep with a soft-bristled broom or a vacuum to remove debris. 
• Use a damp microfiber mop or cloth with a laminate cleaning solution to clean the floor. 
• Spot-treat stains with the appropriate tools and solutions in a timely manner. 
• Avoid using harsh cleaning products that may scratch the laminate. 

Laminate Flooring FAQ

Refer to these frequently asked questions for more information about laminate flooring. 

What Is the Difference Between Laminate and Vinyl Flooring?

The main difference is between their materials. Laminate flooring is made from wood chip composite, whereas vinyl is entirely made of synthetic materials. 

This difference in materials is noticeable in the products' flexibility and in their water resistance. For example, vinyl flooring is more flexible than laminate and is also fully waterproof. Laminate does have water-resistant qualities, but it isn't fully waterproof.

How Long Can Laminate Flooring Last?

Laminate flooring typically lasts between 10 and 30 years, depending on how well-maintained it is. Although laminate floor planks are more affordable, they have a shorter lifespan than real hardwood. 

If you plan to stay in your home for a long time, then you may want to consider the costs associated with replacing laminate floors. Though laminate is more affordable at the outset, it ultimately may be cheaper to purchase hardwood floors in the long run because you won't need to replace them as often if they're well-maintained. 

Is Laminate Environmentally Friendly?

Laminate flooring can be an eco-friendly option. Because of its core layer, which uses mostly organic materials, there aren't a lot of synthetic materials in its makeup — except in the top layer. In contrast, vinyl flooring is made almost entirely out of synthetic materials. 

Where Can You Install Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is an excellent option for areas that experience high traffic, such as hallways, entryways, living rooms and kitchens. Its durability means that it can withstand wear and tear from shoes as well as scratches from pets and furniture. Aside from being durable, it is also stylish and comfortable enough to be used in bedrooms. 

Moreover, laminate flooring is moisture-resistant, so if you clean it up properly, it will remain in great condition. This is particularly useful in rooms like kitchens or dining rooms, where spills often occur.

Is Laminate Appropriate Flooring in All Climates?

Although laminate is an effective option in certain climates, it's not universally appropriate for all conditions. Due to the natural wood materials in its core, laminate tends to absorb moisture and expand, which can damage your flooring. For best results, it's best to let your laminate floor sit out for a while to acclimate to the humidity.

You may also consider high-pressure laminate flooring if you live in an especially humid area with high heat. This type of waterproof laminate uses glue that reduces its moisture-absorbing properties, so your floor won't expand. 

What Styles of Laminate Flooring Are Available?

The amazing thing about laminate flooring is that it can mimic many different natural flooring options — from wood to tile and stone. Whether you're going for a neutral look with light hardwood floors or you prefer the elegance of dark hardwood to match your home's interior design, there is a laminate flooring option out there that suits your styling preferences.

Buy Laminate Flooring at Carpet & Tile Mart

At Carpet & Tile Mart, we have a decades-long history of helping people like you make the right flooring choices for their homes and lives. We are a family-owned and operated business that loves what we do and those we serve. We have various high-quality laminate products available for you to explore, and we purchase directly from the manufacturer to eliminate the middleman and help you save more. 

If you don't know what you want or where to start, simply contact us for a flooring specialist to help you find the best solutions. Alternatively, you can find a store near you to see our laminate in person.