Should I Use Cheap Laminate Flooring?

Let’s be clear right away. By ‘cheap’ laminate flooring we are of course referring to the cost, and not the result. Low on price and high on impact, it is little wonder that laminate is one of the hottest trends in flooring right now.  Let's take a look in more detail about this flooring type.

What is laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring (which we have a top range of right here) is one of interior design’s great chameleons. It is a man-made product that is designed to look and feel like timber or stone. It comprises an MDF or HDF core on-top of which is layered a high definition printed décor (say a wooden panel or smooth stone design) and then coated with resin for maximum protection. A click system makes it effortless to join each laminate board together, therefore avoiding the use of glue.

Cheap Pricing?

Everyone wants a cheap price, but not so much a cheap floor. Laminate flooring prices vary dramatically but even some of the entry-level laminate floors are excellent quality with great warranties. It is important to make sure that your floor is from a recognized brand, to ensure that you have a quality product. It's also a good idea to purchase from a retailer who buys directly from the factory. This way you can ensure that you cutting out the middlemen. At Wood Floor Warehouse, all of our laminate floors come straight from the factory to our stores. While we may have some very cheap laminate floors,  we certainly don't compromise on quality.

There are so many features in laminate flooring, that we will discuss below. Some of these may impact the cost, but for many customers it’s worth that bit extra (and besides, the starting point price is low to begin with).

What do laminate floors look like?

Modern, sophisticated, natural, clean, contemporary; the beauty of laminate flooring is that is can deliver so many varied wooden or stone looks, none of which appears cheap!

Let’s say you’re after an oak floor – what colour oak? Silver, chalk, a limestone wash, light brown, dark brown, pale grey…? Do you want something so realistic that even individual timber grains are visible? What about patterns? Do you want straight panels, or herringbone or perhaps parquet effect? Or would you prefer stone and if so, a patterned stone tile, a river rock look, or something more industrial? Laminate won’t limit your décor options.

What are the benefits of using laminated flooring?

Where to start! There are so many pros to using laminate that it is hard to consider other flooring options. Here are just some of the reasons that makes laminate such a household favourite

Budget-friendly

The first big bonus in using laminate flooring is that it is so cheap, especially compared to the natural resources it imitates so convincingly.  So if your home build or renovation is working to a fairly tight budget, opting for laminate floors is a way to keep costs reasonable.

Highly durable

Laminate floors are also highly durable and in fact you can rely on the objective universal AC Rating system to determine a product’s resistance to abrasions, stains, burns etc. The AC Rating runs from AC1 for products that should be used only in light footfall areas (like a guestroom), to AC3, the highest residential rating level and appropriate for any surface in the house. AC4 and 5 are commercial ratings.

Minimal shrinking or warping

We all know someone who has laid their floors with a product that has then warped or shrunk.  It can lead to costly, dysfunctional and/or unattractive results. This occurs usually when the choice of flooring is impacted by the elements – e.g. the heat, dampness or cold of the air in the home. It is an avoidable issue when using laminate flooring; just be sure to firstly let the product “sit and settle” in your home for 48-hours or so before actually laying it.

Wide range of décor

As we’ve already seen, the décor options for laminate floors is so varied that no matter what look you want to achieve in your home, there will be a laminate that can deliver.

Easy installation

The technological and design advances made by laminate over the years means this is now one incredibly low-maintenance, time-friendly floor to install. In fact, laminate is such a user-friendly product that it can be laid by a competent DIYer as opposed to having to spend more money on a professional installation. You and your bank account will be freed up before you know it to move onto the next home design project. Find out just how straight-forward and easy it is to install laminate flooring here.

Underfloor heating

If you’re looking for options that will work with underfloor heating you can still consider laminate floors. Just be sure to touch base with us and let us know so we can steer you in the right direction.

Wet room

Again, you will not have trouble finding a laminate solution for your bathroom or laundry. Laminate floors with waterproof cores are available, but of course, be sure to apply with waterproof seals to prevent mould or rot.

How to care for laminate floors.

As it is with any feature of your home, the better it is looked after and cared for, the longer it will serve you. Although laminate floors are designed to be incredibly hard-wearing, they’re not made of Teflon! Find out in our guide - How to care for your laminate floor.

If you’re designing or renovating your home, you know only too well how quickly the costs escalate. Finding a product that is going to deliver a truly premium impact without a truly premium price tag is a welcome relief, and laminate is most certainly that. This is a design choice your home and bank balance will both appreciate!