Last Updated: Jun 19, 2021
For homeowners looking for a hardwood covering at a lower cost than the real thing, laminate flooring may be the answer. It has sustainable attributes, cleans up well, takes plenty of abuse, and lasts for years.
Laminate flooring has been in the market for years, with a host of manufacturers involved in creating different versions of it. Home improvement and flooring stores will offer you lots of brands and wood textures, widths, and colors.
The flooring comes in light, grey, and dark wood, with patterns of narrow or wide planks that mimic hardwood. Whatever the flooring design, the boards have the same width and length to make for simple installation. Laminate flooring widths span from roughly 7.5 to more than 8 inches wide and approximately 47 to 54 inches long, depending on the brand.
There is a lot to learn about laminate flooring. Let's get into it by answering some commonly asked questions.
Laminate flooring consists of thin fiberboard with a pattern printed on it to resemble wood. Hardwood's most significant competitor has remained laminate for many years because of its lower cost and flexibility.
Laminate flooring has layers. The bottom layer, a melamine backer, creates a water-resistant foundation. The melamine backer has the same thickness and similar materials as the topcoat, giving laminate balance and helping the planks stay flat after being installed.
Composed of high-density fiberboard (HDF), the core layer contains water-resistant elements while providing stability. It's considered the most critical layer. Resin allows the board to acclimate to humidity and changing temperature levels while preventing the development of cracks and gaps. HDF's density reduces noise from movement.
On top of the core, the "visual" layer carries high-resolution 3-D photography of wood planks. Different images, including those of narrower planks, create non-repetitive patterns like those found in hardwood. Manufacturers glue the photos to fiberboard in a highly sophisticated process that results in a natural wood look.
The final layer complements the visual layer and protects against water and wear—the melamine urethane-based aluminum oxide finish shields against damaging light, dinging heels, spills, and abrasions. The topcoat can mimic wood's imperfections while offering a variety of wood-like finishes.
Recycled materials form more than 70 percent of laminate flooring. Laminate manufacturers process and glue together wood particles from hard and softwoods. Wood scraps, bark, and sawdust get used in laminate processing. Melamine, the resin that keeps the board together, often requires a reaction with formaldehyde. However, the level of formaldehyde needed has dropped over time. To ensure low formaldehyde levels, consumers should look for products designated CARB, P2, E1, or E0.
Laminate flooring can help achieve LEED points under the Materials and Resources category, Credit 2 - Environmentally Preferable Products (MRc2), due to its recycled content. Recyclers also seek laminate flooring because a market exists for it.
Yes, because laminate flooring sits on top of an underlayment composed of filaments and fibers that form a vapor layer. The laminate sits on top of the underlayment, and the planks snap together. As a result, installers need no glues or fasteners to create the floors.
Compared to other materials, laminate doesn't contain any air-damaging chemicals. Whatever chemicals in laminate tend to stay inside the board; by being completely sealed from the outside, no harmful chemicals can escape.
Laminate flooring lasts 15 to 25 years or longer if located in low trafficked areas. However, hardwood floors do last longer, as long as a century, in older homes.
Typically laminate flooring costs from less than $1 to $3 per square foot. Add in labor, and the price jumps to $3 to $8 per square foot. More splashy designer flooring can cost as much as $10 to $12 per square foot.
The average range of professionally installed laminate flooring runs from $1,411 to $3,395, with most homeowners paying around $2,352. Per square foot, costs range from $2 to $8 per square foot, with the high range preserved for hickory, cherry, acacia, and beech finishes.
DIYers should use a table saw, circular saw, miter, hand saw, or utility knife. When cutting flooring with a table saw, do-it-yourselfers should add support on both sides. Experts suggest a diamond blade because laminate can be tough to cut. Adding clamps when using a hand saw to anchor boards will help create cleaner cuts. Chipping can be a problem with any saw when cutting laminate. Be careful. Adding masking tape along cut lines reduces chipping.
Start by wearing safety glasses. Grab a hammer and the following tools:
Laminate flooring expands. Space offers the flooring breathing room and will not get noticed when covered by baseboards.
You can find plenty of great videos on installing laminate flooring online because many people do it themselves. But, here is a quick rundown:
Clean up spills immediately since water and laminate do not mix. Sweep floors with a brush broom. Place maps under baby high chairs and dog or cat water and eating bowls. Floor mats near doors help reduce wear and tear. Use water and a small amount of vinegar for mopping. Wring the mop out of the water before cleaning each section of the floor.
Avoid any cleaning ingredients promising a shine. They build up wax on laminate floors and become hard to remove. Avoid pine-scented cleaners because they leave a residue and off-gas. Murphy's Oil does not work well, either. When cleaning, try homemade cleaners like a little bit of vinegar combined with water.
When using mops, ring them out before starting on the floor. Laminate doesn't like too much water. Do not use abrasive sponges or steel wool on the wood. If you vacuum laminate floors, avoid rotator brushes or beater bars.
Wear protective glasses and gloves because laminate can be sharp. Start by removing trims and baseboards. Organize them for later re-installation. At a spot where the floor enters another room is an excellent place to begin removing boards.
Take out one by unhooking it from the grove by hand or by using a six-inch drywall knife. Then continue unsnapping and removing boards row by row.
If the flooring has glue at the bottom, pull back a row at a corner and add lacquer thinner to the loosened boards' opening.
Many homeowners have long known that laminate flooring offers a durable, attractive, and low-cost option to hardwood. DIYers find installation relatively easy. Consumers who like green products will appreciate the flooring's recycled content and recyclability rather than sending a large volume of construction waste to landfills.
Based in St. Paul, Frank Jossi is a journalist, editor and content strategist. He covers clean energy in Minnesota for Midwest Energy News and writes frequently for Finance & Commerce. His work has appeared in more than 70 local, national and international publications.