Laminate Floor Advantages and Disadvantages

Although laminate floors are very popular these days, there are both pros and cons to this type of flooring. Laminate floors have advantages and disadvantages that should be weighed carefully before a decision is reached as to whether or not these floors are best for your residential space. For many homeowners, the convenience of laminate floors cannot be beat. When it comes to installation, laminate has wood and stone beat by a long shot. This is because of the innovative installation procedures used for laminate floors.The vast majority of laminate floors click together easily without glue. While some do require a separate underlayment, most come with everything required for installation. If you can click two interlocking parts together, you can probably install your own laminate floors. This will save you money because you won't be paying for the services of a contractor. Not only that, but because you won't be using glue there is no drying time. Your floors can be walked on as soon as you finish installing them. This cannot be said for hardwood that is glued down because you have to wait quite awhile for drying of the glue.Another advantage of laminate floors are their gorgeous colors and patterns. You will find choices that look like the finest hardwood and the most expensive marble. No matter what look you're going for there is laminate flooring to match. Not only are these floors beautiful, they are durable as well because of the high tech coating applied to each piece in the factory. They will stand up to years of foot traffic and of course come with warranty protection. Warranties differ from manufacturer to manufacturer but many are quite extensive.Now that we've examined some of the advantages of laminate floors, let's consider the disadvantages. Some people may have their heart set on authentic wood or stone and accept nothing less. Laminate flooring may not last as long as traditional hardwood but then again it does not require buffing, refinishing or waxing. If you like the idea of laminate but are afraid to make a hasty decision, do lots of comparison shopping to find the best laminate floors for you before making a purchase.