If you believe laminate flooring is outdated, you may want to rethink this notion. Gone are the days of your mother or grandmother’s retro kitchen floors. While you’re unlikely to see these bright and decorative designs anymore, the use of laminate continues to appear in homes today, only with a more modern and cohesive look. Not to mention its durability and similar appearance to real hardwood. Read on to learn more about how this time-tested material has evolved and why its one of the most popular choices found in today’s homes.
What is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring is considered a multilayer system that can be nailed or glued down, or free-floating, meaning they connect and sit atop the sub-floor. Giving off the appearance of real hardwood or natural stone, it costs much less, yet provides a beautiful and durable result.
The first modern laminate floors known as Pergo were created in 1984 by Perstorp AB Holdings, a giant in the chemical industry. What was originally found on kitchen counters was transformed to appear on the floors of homes throughout Europe and eventually the United States 10 years later.
This type of laminate flooring was cheaper and gave the appearance of real hardwood; however, its plastic finish didn’t fool many. Fortunately, in the last 25 years, advancements in technology and design have made it so that today’s laminate is far more realistic. In fact, many experts often find it difficult to differentiate between it and hardwood floors because of the high-quality materials used.
From a change in the way advanced embossing adds texture to improvements in the flooring’s fiberboard core, which makes it more durable and stable, to the permeable under layer that absorbs noise and imperfections, laminate has come a long way.
What Are Its Benefits?
When preparing to install new floors, you will have a variety of options to choose from. When considering laminate, think about the multitude of benefits it provides, including:
- People will think you have real hardwood because of the high-quality materials used to create the laminate flooring.
- The cost is significantly cheaper than wood floors or natural stone, making it a more affordable option.
- It is quite and comfortable, making it easy to walk on without unnecessary noise.
- Laminate floors are durable because of the top coating that makes it more resistant to scratches, stains, and dents.
- The process of installing laminate floors is easy when using a skilled professional.
How It Compares to Other Floors
As it was mentioned earlier, there is a multitude of flooring options available. As you find yourself trying to decide which one is right for you, consider how laminate holds up against hardwood and vinyl flooring.
Hardwood vs. Laminate
Unlike hardwood floors that require each board to be made from 100% wood, laminate uses a composite wood that is more durable and resistant to damage. While it is easy to clean both types of flooring, laminate doesn’t develop as many scuffs and is more resistant to water, preventing the materials from expanding and needing to be replaced.
Vinyl vs. Laminate
While vinyl is a preferred choice for outdoor living spaces, bathrooms, and even kitchens because of its plastic material and increased resistance to water, laminate provides a more comfortable feel beneath your feet. The two are very similar in appearance, as both can have a unique, printed design that replicates more expensive materials (i.e. wood, stone), but laminate will give you the realistic aesthetic you are looking for when it comes to the flooring in your home.
Disregard the mental images of your grandmother’s floors from 50 years ago and rethink the way you look at laminate flooring for your home.
About the Company
Prestige Floors is a small, family-owned and operated business based in Keller, TX. Their husband-and-wife team, Benson and Ashley Kelly, have been improving and transforming the homes of Keller residents and its surrounding communities since 2006. With years of experience and an eye for design, their team is trusted, bonded, and offer only the very best flooring for eager homeowners. Whether you prefer laminate, hardwood, carpet, or one of the many other available options, we are here to help you get the look you desire. If you are interested in replacing your floors or remodeling your home, contact us at (817) 988-2083 to schedule a FREE in-home estimate.