- Laminate Looks Cheap and Obvious
Laminate flooring technology has come a long way. Today’s laminate flooring looks just like natural stone or wood to the untrained eye, and it can be difficult to tell the difference without a close inspection. Laminate comes in a huge array of textures, styles, and designs to get the look of hardwood or stone at a fraction of the cost. - Laminate Can’t Be Repaired
Laminate is often confused with linoleum, but the two couldn’t be more different. Laminate flooring is installed as a floating floor with planks that lock together. If a section of laminate flooring is damaged, individual planks can be removed and replaced with ease because they aren’t adhered to the subfloor. Scratches can often be repaired without removing planks, just like hardwood. - Laminate Is Difficult to Clean and Maintain
Laminate is easier to maintain and clean than the hardwood and natural stone it’s designed to mimic. A laminate floor system is installed with tightly locking grooves with no seams that trap dirt. A dust mop, damp mop, and vacuum can all be used to keep laminate looking its best. The most important thing to remember is to avoid wet mopping because water can seep through tiny cracks and cause damage. - Laminate Produces a Clicking or Hollow Sound
In the past, laminate flooring was known for an unpleasant loud, hollow “clicking” sound that made it obvious it wasn’t solid hardwood flooring. This sound was a result of the thickness of the laminate and the installation technique. As a floating floor, laminate left space between the subfloor and laminate planks, which produced the distinctive hollow sound. Today’s laminate is manufactured differently, with a thicker design and an incorporated underlayment that absorbs sound and dramatically reduces the hollow ring. This underlayment can even decrease the noise of someone walking on laminate flooring upstairs, especially when compared to hardwood. - Laminate Is the Same as Linoleum or Vinyl Flooring
It’s a common misconception that laminate flooring is the same as vinyl or linoleum, and this prevents many people from even considering laminate for their home, associating it with lower-quality flooring products. Linoleum is essentially a spongy material made from a mix of materials with a top printed layer, whereas vinyl flooring is a petroleum-based product. Laminate, on the other hand, is made with multiple layers: a thick aggregated wood-particle sheet, followed by a photorealistic image of stone or wood, then a wear layer, and finally, a protective layer.
If you’re looking for great flooring options for your home or business, don’t automatically dismiss versatile, affordable laminate flooring as a viable choice. No matter which type of material you choose, make sure you call on the experts when you’re ready for top-notch professional floor installation. San Diego homeowners and businesses rely on Unique Flooring for everything they need to create a great look with their flooring design. We have a huge variety of laminate flooring styles as well as hardwood and carpet to suit your unique design style. Contact us today at 760-454-1436 for a free flooring estimate.
