Laminate flooring gets a bad rap sometimes. People think it’s cheap and nasty. But that’s old thinking. Modern laminate flooring is smart, stylish, and can fool anyone into thinking it’s real wood.
Let’s look at why laminate might be perfect for your home.
What Is Laminate Flooring?
Think of laminate as a clever sandwich. The bottom layer gives strength. The middle layer is thick and stable. The top layer has a photo of wood or stone. Then there’s a clear protective layer on top.
This design means you get floors that look like expensive materials but cost much less and work better in many situations.
Why Choose Laminate?
It Costs Less
This is the big one. Laminate costs much less than real wood or stone. You can get great-looking floors without spending a fortune. That leaves money for other things in your home.
The savings aren’t just upfront either. Installation is quicker and easier, so labour costs less too.
It’s Tough
Modern laminate is built to last. The top layer protects against scratches, dents, and wear. Good laminate can handle kids, pets, and busy family life without showing damage.
Most laminate comes with warranties of 15-25 years. That tells you how confident makers are in their product.
Easy to Look After
Laminate is simple to clean. Sweep or hoover regularly. Mop when needed with a damp cloth. That’s it. No special treatments or expensive cleaners needed.
Spills wipe up easily. Most stains come off without leaving marks. This makes life easier for busy families.
Looks Great
Here’s where modern laminate really shines. The printing technology now is amazing. You can get laminate that looks exactly like oak, walnut, or stone. Even flooring experts sometimes need a close look to tell the difference.
The textures feel real too. Some laminate has grooves and grain patterns you can feel with your fingers.
Perfect for Real Life
Handles Moisture Better
Real wood hates water. It warps, swells, and can get ruined by spills. Laminate handles moisture much better. Most types are water-resistant, and some are completely waterproof.
This means you can use laminate in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements where real wood would be risky.
Stable Temperature
Wood expands and contracts with temperature changes. This can cause gaps or buckling. Laminate is much more stable. It doesn’t move as much when temperatures change.
This makes it perfect for homes with underfloor heating or rooms that get hot and cold.
Pet-Friendly
If you have pets, laminate makes sense. Dog claws won’t scratch it like they would real wood. Accidents clean up easily without staining. Pet hair doesn’t stick to it.
Many pet owners switch to laminate and wonder why they waited so long.
Types of Laminate
Standard Laminate
This is the basic option. It looks good and works well in most homes. The wear layer is thinner, so it might not last as long in very busy areas.
Good for bedrooms, dining rooms, and areas that don’t get heavy traffic.
Heavy-Duty Laminate
This has a thicker wear layer and stronger core. It can handle more traffic and last longer. Costs a bit more but worth it for busy areas.
Perfect for living rooms, hallways, and kitchens.
Waterproof Laminate
The newest type. These can handle standing water without damage. Great for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.
More expensive but gives you options in rooms where regular laminate might not work.
Installation Made Simple
Click-Together System
Most modern laminate uses a click system. The planks lock together without glue or nails. This makes installation much faster and easier.
You can often install laminate over existing floors without removing them first. This saves time and money.
DIY Friendly
Laminate is one of the easiest floors to install yourself if you’re handy. The click system means no special tools or skills needed. Many people do it over a weekend.
Even if you hire professionals, installation is quick. Most rooms can be done in a day.
Floating Floor
Laminate doesn’t get nailed down. It “floats” over the subfloor. This means it can expand and contract naturally without causing problems.
It also means easier installation and removal if you ever want to change floors.
Design Options
Wood Looks
Laminate can copy any wood species. Oak, pine, walnut, cherry – you name it. The grain patterns and colours look completely real.
You can get different plank widths too. Wide planks make rooms look bigger. Narrow planks suit traditional styles.
Stone and Tile Looks
Modern laminate also copies stone, slate, and ceramic tiles. These look amazing and feel warmer underfoot than real stone.
Great for kitchens and bathrooms where you want the stone look without the cold, hard surface.
Colours and Finishes
From light blonde woods to dark ebony, laminate comes in every colour. You can get glossy finishes or matte textures. Rustic looks with knots and character marks or smooth, clean modern styles.
Where Laminate Works Best
Living Areas
Laminate is perfect for living rooms and family rooms. It looks stylish, handles traffic well, and is comfortable underfoot. Much warmer than tile and easier to clean than carpet.
Kitchens
The water resistance makes laminate great for kitchens. Spills clean up easily. It’s warmer than tiles but tougher than real wood. Many homeowners love it here.
Bedrooms
Laminate in bedrooms gives you the wood look without the cost. It’s easy to keep clean and doesn’t harbour dust mites like carpet can.
Hallways and Stairs
These high-traffic areas need tough flooring. Heavy-duty laminate handles the wear while looking great. Much cheaper than hardwood for these spaces.
What About the Downsides?
Can’t Be Refinished
Unlike real wood, you can’t sand and refinish laminate when it wears out. When it’s done, you need to replace it. But good laminate lasts so long this isn’t usually a problem.
Sound
Laminate can sound hollow when you walk on it. Good underlay helps with this. Some types have sound-dampening built in.
Not Real
Some people just want real wood. That’s fair. But for most people, the benefits of laminate outweigh this concern.
Making It Last
Use Good Underlay
Don’t skimp on underlay. It makes laminate feel better, last longer, and sound quieter. It’s worth spending extra here.
Clean Spills Quickly
Even water-resistant laminate lasts longer if you clean spills quickly. Don’t let water sit in the joints between planks.
Use Furniture Pads
Put felt pads under furniture legs to prevent scratches when you move things around. This keeps your floors looking new longer.
The Bottom Line
Laminate flooring has come a long way. It’s not the cheap-looking stuff from years ago. Modern laminate looks amazing, costs less than alternatives, and works better for many families.
At Kent Flooring, we see lots of happy customers who chose laminate. They love how it looks and how easy it is to live with. Many say they’ll never go back to other flooring types.
If you want stylish floors that don’t break the bank and can handle real life, laminate deserves serious consideration. It might just be the perfect solution for your home.
