Advantages of Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring combines value and quality. It may not be as pricey as the high-end types of flooring, but it still provides the home with natural-looking durable flooring. Laminate flooring has three layers of materials. The outermost layer is called the shell. It is made up of hard plastic that covers the core. The core is the fiber or hard board that contains the design or the colored part of the flooring. The innermost layer is called the backing. It is the layer that makes contact with the cemented surface of the floor. The backing is usually made of paper or another layer of plastic laminating material. This construction makes laminate flooring durable and water-resistant. Laminate flooring is also easy to clean and maintain and hygienic. It is no wonder then that this type of flooring is very popular among homeowners.

Advantages

There are many advantages to getting laminate flooring for your home. Its greatest advantage is its price. Laminate flooring is one of the most affordable type of flooring available today. As with most flooring materials, laminate flooring is sold by the square foot. High quality laminate flooring usually costs $3.50 per square foot. This price is much lower compared to the $4 to $7 price per square foot of wooden flooring or the $12 price per square foot of stone flooring.

Laminate flooring is very easy to maintain and clean. Because it is covered in a plastic material, cleaning it is just like cleaning other plastic items—by using a damp cloth. Food and drink spills can easily be cleaned by mopping them up. Laminate flooring is easily maintained by giving it a regular sweeping, dusting, and vacuuming.

Despite its affordable price, laminate flooring is fairly durable. It often comes with a warranty of 20 years or more, which means that as long as it is properly maintained, it can last for a very long time. Laminate flooring is resistant to scratching, abrasion, and water. Some types of laminate flooring can withstand pressure of up to 1,200 pounds per square inch.

Laminate flooring is very sanitary. Its plastic laminate surface is airtight and prevents moisture from seeping into the fiber or hard board core. It keeps mold and mildew from infesting the core, so there is no danger of these microorganisms growing on the floor.

Disadvantages of laminate flooring

Laminate flooring does not come without drawbacks. Its main disadvantage is that once it is damaged, it is almost impossible to repair. Scuffing or scratches cannot be buffed out and they remain forever on the plastic laminate surface. Damaged laminate flooring has to be replaced immediately. Failing to do so can allow mildew to infest the core.  Moisture can seep through scratches in the shell, creating an ideal moist environment for mildew and other microorganisms to thrive.