When homeowners begin to search for new floors for their home, there are usually three — sometimes more — factors that they consider: strength, durability, and aesthetics. Choosing the right flooring can really change the way your home looks and feels, which is why it is not only important to choose a floor surface that meets these criteria, but also blends into the vibe of your house. One of the best types of flooring that attracts homeowners is laminate flooring. Keep reading to learn more about laminate flooring, like how long it lasts, and the benefits of the material! For any questions on flooring installing in Winnipeg, or our flooring options like hardwood, cork, laminate, carpet, tile, and vinyl, contact the team at Floor Country.

The Basics of Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring emerged into the flooring scene as an easy-to-install, attractive, and durable flooring option. It became popular because of its ability to resemble more expensive flooring options like hardwood and tile for only a fraction of the price. Laminate flooring technology has certainly advanced in recent years that makes it extremely attractive in homes, optimizing the look of residential spaces without emptying homeowners’ pockets. Characteristics like micro bevels, deeper texturing, and better graphics reproduction have made laminate flooring a touch competitor. It remains a great budget flooring material for its performance, appearance, and reputation.

Average Laminate Floor Lifespan

Laminate flooring is expected to last between 15-25 years. The difference of the timeframe depends on the quality of the flooring, how well it is taken care of, if it was properly installed (if you call our flooring experts, trust us, it will be), and the amount of foot traffic it experiences. Once the top layer is damaged, the flooring will need to be replaced. 

Inexpensive grades of laminate flooring will likely only last around 10 years or less, and may chip, peel, or separate, leaving you with a shabby, unappealing floor. Lower-grade laminate floors usually have a fuzzy or less realistic appearance on their surface. 

Laminate Flooring Maintenance

Laminate floors are relatively easy to clean and pretty low-maintenance. All you need is a vacuum, broom, and mop. You only need a damp mop when cleaning a laminate floor, as excessive water can seep into the seams between the boards and cause swelling. Laminate floors do not tolerate standing pools of water, so it is better to avoid putting laminate flooring in bathrooms or kitchens.  Any water spilled on the surface should be wiped up as soon as possible, and if you do have laminate floors in rooms that experience more moisture, a greater level of care should be taken.  

It is highly recommended that you avoid using harsh cleaners that can strip the top layer of the laminate and reduce its lifespan. Maintaining your laminate flooring will ensure that you get the biggest bang for your buck, or at least prolong its lifespan.

Extending the Life of Your Laminate Floors

Frequent cleaning and stain remediation can go a long way in the aesthetics and functionality of your floor. Like we talked about above, a sweep and a light mop will do the trick. You can periodically clean the floor with cleaning products, but make sure they are mild, and that no moisture leaks between the laminate seams. For a deeper clean, you can use a steam mop, but be wary of doing this too often because repeated use of steam can cause the laminate to buckle. Always avoid using steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong ammoniated or chlorinated cleaners because these will damage your laminate floors. 

How Laminate Floors Are Installed

Laminate floors are a popular choice to some because they are a low-risk, impermanent option. They are always installed as floating floors, in other words, they do not have to be nailed down like hardwood floors or engineered flooring do. Laminate floors have a modified tongue-and-groove style that allows them to be joined easily and seamlessly. Laminate floors are quite easy to install — they can be snapped together or glued together — making them popular for DIY projects, although getting a flooring professional in Winnipeg will always get you exactly the results you are looking for. 

The Cost of Laminate

As stated above briefly, laminate floors are among the cheaper options of flooring options, ranging from $1 to $3 per square foot, but you can spend as much as $10 to $12 per square foot for designer products. If you are wondering what the extra money can get you, prices are influenced by the thickness of the wear layer and the quality of the print layer. Depending on where you are placing the laminate flooring, it is probably worth investing in higher quality laminate flooring. 

Because laminate flooring is so cheap and easy to install, the labor fees are usually not very expensive. The average price for flooring installation, including materials and labor, is somewhere around $5 per square foot, making it one of the most inexpensive flooring materials to enjoy in your home. 

Call Floor Country For Laminate Flooring Installation

If you are considering installing laminate floors in your home, then you need to be in touch with the flooring professionals at Floor Country. We complete every project with care, transparency, and integrity, operating at the highest level of customer care. We are passionate about providing high-quality flooring for the Winnipeg community. Contact us today for an estimate.