Pros and Cons of Wood Laminate Flooring

There are few things more timeless and beautiful than wood flooring. Wood flooring is available in many sizes and stains so it coordinates beautifully with any style of home decor.

There are few things more timeless and beautiful than wood flooring.  Wood flooring is available in many sizes and stains so it coordinates beautifully with any style of home decor.  You can get wood flooring that is rustic and worn looking or you could get sleek and modern wood flooring.  Wood flooring is beautiful and adds value to a home but it is also quite costly and requires a good amount of maintenance.  Because of these things, many people consider the option of wood laminate flooring.  It has the appearance of wood but offers many of its own benefits that make it a popular choice for those looking for a timeless look with less work and a significantly lower price tag.  Below we discuss the pros and cons of wood laminate flooring.

• PRO:  Cost

One of the biggest obstacles that homeowners face when deciding whether or not to install hardwood flooring is the cost.  Wood laminate flooring provides the same look but at a fraction of the cost of hardwood flooring.  Laminate wood flooring materials cost less and so does installation, making the overall cost approximately 50% less than hardwood floors.

• PRO:  Durability

Wood laminate flooring is a composite material that is very durable.  It is specifically designed to be scratch and stain resistant as well as resistant to water damage.   Laminate is incredibly hard to damage with scratches and will not chip easily.  It is ideal in a home with heavy traffic, children or pets because it can stand up to wear and tear.

• PRO:  Maintenance

Wood laminate flooring is very low maintenance and easy to clean.  While spills should be cleaned up quickly, wood laminate flooring is resistant to stains and will repel moisture from seeping in.  Wood laminate can simply be dusted and mopped with warm, soapy water and will look beautiful.  There are also many cleaning products designed specifically to clean hardwood flooring.

• CON:  Water Damage Prone

Just like hardwood flooring, wood laminate is prone to water damage if water is allowed to sit on the flooring for a prolonged period of time.

• CON:  Hollow Sound

Many homeowners have said that wood laminate flooring can have a hollow sound when being walked on.

• CON:  Shorter Life Expectancy

Hardwood flooring, when properly cared for, can last a lifetime because it can be repaired and refinished.  This is not the case for wood laminate flooring.  Wood laminate is incredibly resistant to scratches but if one does occur, it cannot be refinished.  There are ways to cover it but wood laminate flooring cannot be sanded and re-stained.  Because of this and because it is not a natural product, it does not have as long of a life expectancy and may need to be replaced sooner.

• CON:  It Is Not Real Wood

While some people do not care at all about this, some people do.  Hardwood holds a higher esteem than wood laminate among the masses and when it comes to resale value, hardwood will be valued more highly than wood laminate.