There’s a lot to consider when shopping for new floors. Each product has its own unique features, benefits, and even drawbacks. Laminate can be a great choice for a variety of rooms, homes, and lifestyles. If you’re considering putting laminate floors in your home, here are some pros and cons to weigh before you make a decision.
Pros
It’s budget-friendly
There’s a definite disparity between cheap and quality laminate products, but even the high-end products are going to be more affordable than a lot of hardwood options.
It holds up to active lifestyles
Laminate is a great choice for families with kids or pets, as it resists scratches, denting, and stains well.
It’s available in a variety of visuals
Most laminate products on the market right now mimic the look of hardwood, offering oak, maple, hickory, walnut and even exotic visuals. It can even emulate the appearance of woods that look beautiful, but might be too soft to be a practical choice for flooring, or heavily distressed and reclaimed looks that are cost-prohibitive for a lot of homeowners. Laminate is also available in stone and tile looks as well.
It’s easy to install
Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or you’re having a professional install your flooring, laminate is going to be less of a challenge than something like hardwood or tile.
Cons
It’s not waterproof
While manufacturers are making strides in offering water-resistant laminates, thanks to innovations in locking systems and wear layers, the product is still not ideal for areas that get a lot of moisture, like full bathrooms.
It can be loud
Laminate isn’t the quietest flooring option – if you use a thinner product or don’t use an underlayment, it can be creaky, clicky or hollow-sounding. Using thicker laminate with an attached pad or underlayment can help with this.