This blog post is a guide for homeowners who are interested in purchasing laminate flooring. Whether you’re looking to purchase new floor or replace your existing floor, this article will provide you with all of the information that you need before making a decision on what type of laminate floor to buy. 

The first thing that we’ll cover is the different types of laminate flooring and which materials they are made from. Next, we’ll talk about how much it costs, some installation tips and tricks, and finally some pros and cons of installing laminate flooring in a home. We hope that this article helps!

Types of Laminate Floor

One of the biggest questions that homeowners ask is “What are the different types of laminate flooring?” As with any product out there, manufacturers compete with each other by finding new ways to improve their own products and find unique ways to differentiate from competitors.  In recent years, most products have differentiated themselves with offering products that mimic more expensive materials like stone and wood.

Stone Effect Laminate Floor

A popular choice among homeowners looking to replicate a natural stone look without spending thousands on marble or granite flooring.  They use patterns to create the look of rocks and stones, along with realistic texture effects.  There are dozens of types of stone effect laminates on the market today that mimic different types of natural stone like marble, slate or granite.

Wood Effect Laminate Floor

Manufacturers have started using technology called DPL (Directional Pattern Layering) which is best described as printing an image onto each individual plank in order to replicate the appearance of real wood flooring .  The downside is that not all boards come in every finish/color, you may find yourself having to mix and match boards to get a uniform color.  However, you can expect this type of laminate flooring to be cheaper than real wood flooring if you’re just looking to upgrade your home without breaking the bank.

Engineered Wood Floor

This is a very versatile type of laminate flooring that’s made up of different layers of materials which are bonded together under heat and pressure.  The top layer will always be a veneer, but the layers underneath can vary depending on what it will be used for.  It can have an MDF base with an oak veneer, or the other way around where there’s high-density fiberboard at the core with a thin surface layer of better quality material like maple veneers laid overtop of it.

This technology is great for homeowners who need more durability than simple laminates offer.  If you have kids and pets, the high-density fiberboard adds a bit of stability to it so it’s not as easy to scratch and damage.

Wood & Stone Mix Laminate Floor

This is an interesting mix between engineered wood flooring and stone effect laminates that allows for manufacturers to develop a unique style that gives the best properties from both materials without having to pay top dollar.  The end result is a very good looking laminate floor that’s more durable than simple stone effect or engineered wood floors, but has an aesthetic that can go well with either material.

Choosing the Best Type of Laminate Floor for Your Home

There are dozens of different types of laminates on the market today.  The trick is knowing which type of laminate flooring works best for your home and what you plan on using it for.  

If you’re looking to upgrade the look of your home, but don’t want to overspend or make any permanent changes to your property, then a simple laminate is a great choice. Most are water resistant so they can be used in kitchens and bathrooms without having to worry about bubbling or warping when exposed to steam from showers. They’re also very easy to clean with just soap and water, making them perfect for homes with kids or pets that love playing around in the kitchen while their parents cook dinner.

Laminate Floor Cost — Per Square Foot and More

Now it’s time to get down to the specifics: how much does laminate flooring cost? It’s not easy to answer this question without specific details such as the amount of material needed for your room, wood look or style you select, brand name, and the average cost in your geographic area. We’ve covered all of this information in our other articles on laminates, but here are some examples to give you an idea about what it might cost to install laminate flooring.

An 8′ x 10′ living room that’s 350 square feet would require about three boxes of laminate planks which is approximately $150 dollars , based on $45 per box . * Disclosure: Some links on this site lead to our affiliate partners. You can read more about out affiliate linking policy here .

According to information published by Floor Coverings International (as well as many other sources), most people spend between $3.50 and $5 per square foot on their flooring projects . That means that same 350 square feet project would cost about $1,750 to complete. However, some retailers may discount product prices based on quantity purchased or offer more expensive brands for the same price as lower-quality products so you could pay more or less than average depending on your location and storefront.

Laminate Floor Brands & Reviews

Now it’s time to learn about what makes quality laminate products different from cheaper options available online. Laminates are made up of three layers—a top layer that’s designed to look like natural hardwood, a middle core layer that provides stability, durability, and impact, and then a bottom backing layer that locks everything together.

The top coating is what gives your laminate flooring that authentic wood look, which means that quality laminates will have fewer seams along with more realistic edge details. However, even though these products are designed to look like natural hardwood, they’re actually made from plastic rather than 100% solid hardwood since solid hardwood floors tend not to be durable enough for high traffic areas. The top coats are fairly easy to scratch so try not to drag objects across the floor too often.

Today the laminate flooring market is filled with many different brands and product types so you have a lot of choices even when it comes to price ranges. Some of our favorite manufacturers include Armstrong, Mohawk, Lifeproof, Duralux, Mirage Hardwood Flooring, Quick Step Laminate Flooring, Shaw, and Bruce. These companies offer a variety of colors and textures in their products ranging from rustic looks to modern styles. They also produce superior quality laminates that are attractive yet durable enough for high traffic areas without too much worry about scratches or warping over time. In our research we’ve found that customers tend to be very satisfied with these brands based upon reviews online which highlights why they’re some of the best known in the industry today!

Online Suppliers and Physical Showrooms

Be sure to check out the laminate floors available online before you make your final decision. Many of our readers like to read customer reviews and compare prices on products at The Home Depot , Lowes, Amazon, Wayfair , Overstock, BuildDirect , Flooring Inc., Lumber Liquidators , Parquet Floors Direct, Floor & Decor, even Costco . If you’d rather shop in person visit a local flooring retailer for more information about their selection.

The Home Depot

www.homedepot.com offers a wide selection of flooring, including laminate flooring, at competitive prices . They offer a range of products from low-priced options to high-end brands and offer free shipping on most orders as well. You can also purchase the Home Depot furniture pads for an additional layer of protection for your flooring purchase .

Lumber Liquidator

www.lumberliquidators.com is another great place to start your search for new flooring products including laminates . They provide free shipping on most orders, along with an impressive selection of laminate brands and styles at discounted prices. The site uses a very easy-to-use layout that allows you to compare features, colors, and pricing without too much effort.

Lowes

www.lowes.com carries a large selection of flooring options for even the pickiest consumers so you should be able to find what you’re looking for right here on their website. Again, they offer free shipping on most orders.

Wayfair

www.wayfair.com is another online retailer offering competitive prices on all sorts of home furnishings, including laminate flooring . They offer free shipping on most orders with no membership fees required although there are some restrictions depending upon brand and product type. Be sure to take advantage of Wayfair’s “Home Try-On” feature if you’re unsure about certain styles or brands since this service allows you to try out different samples in your own home before making a large investment for an entire room!

Overstock Outlet

www.overstockoutlet.com offers a wide selection of high-quality brands at discount prices, including laminate flooring . Their low priced items often ship quickly and free so you can save some money on your next project!

BuildDirect

www.builddirect.com carries many different types of flooring at reasonable prices with fast shipping options available for an additional fee. This is another “online only” retailer so expect to purchase your flooring online and schedule the delivery rather than picking up directly from store location if that’s important to you.

Floor & Decor Outlets

www.flooranddecor.com is not actually a supplier but rather has become popular as an alternative to big box stores like Lowes and Home Depot. They offer many of the same styles you’d find at the box stores but at slightly better prices, which could mean an additional savings if you want to comparison shop before making your final purchase . You can find this store listed in our directory by clicking here .

Costco

www.costco.com carries a large selection of laminate flooring options with free shipping on most orders over $100 and no membership fees required! Be sure to check out their warehouse location nearest you for more information about their product availability near you (some brands are only available at certain locations).

The brand of the laminate flooring, some are more expensive than others. It is often worth investing in a higher quality laminate that will withstand your lifestyle, but that doesn’t always mean having to pay more.

If you purchase your product online (especially in bulk) there’s a good chance that the price will be lower than if you visit a home improvement store or lumber yard.  However, it’s worth noting that most laminates aren’t produced by just one manufacturer so even though they might look identical, the compositions are often quite different which means that they have distinct feels, tones and sounds when walked on. There are some manufacturers who produce high quality products while others have their products made in China for cheap labor costs before being rebranded to sell at higher prices elsewhere. Always be sure to do your research.

In terms of material costs, laminates made from engineered wood products like MDF and HDF are cheaper due to how these materials are manufactured.

Laminate Floor Pros & Cons

Now let’s talk about some of the pros and cons of installing laminate flooring in your home. It’s important to consider both the positives and negatives when making this type of purchase so that you can determine if it is right for you.

Pros of Laminate Floor

– Laminated floors are very durable, which means they will stand up well against heavy foot traffic or things being dropped on them.

– A huge advantage of laminates is that there are a wide range of styles, colors, and patterns available. Many people choose laminates because they want a unique look without having to install tile or hardwood flooring which requires more upkeep.

– Another reason homeowners love their laminates is because they won’t get scratched or dented like other types do – especially solid wood.

– Since they’re made from synthetic materials, water resistant laminates are also great for homes that see a lot of moisture and humidity since they won’t warp or swell like wood can when exposed to water.

Now let’s take a look at the disadvantages:

– Laminates have several different patterns stamped on the surface so it can be difficult to install pieces side by side without gaps between them. This is important to consider if you want a seamless look throughout your flooring project!

– Laminate flooring doesn’t actually contain any real wood so although it is durable, solid wood will last longer.

– When compared to other flooring products, laminates are the most expensive and they also need regular cleaning and maintenance in order to keep their appearance looking new and shiny over time.

This means you’ll have to use a cleaner to scrub away dirt on a semi-regular basis, not to mention dry mopping…which isn’t too much work but some people might not want the extra hassle.

It’s also worth noting that some floor stains may pose problems when trying to clean your laminate if your home uses well water or if there are minerals present in your water supply Laminates will fade over time if they’re exposed to sunlight, so again, it’s worth considering where your home is located when making this purchase.

Last but not least are the environmental concerns – although laminates are made from recyclable material, over time they will need to be chipped up and disposed of safely in order to protect our environment.

Installation: Very Easy! Introducing the Click-and-Lock System

Installation is easy with this free floating system that holds the boards together tightly. No glue or nails are required because the boards lock into place when they’re pressed down firmly—that’s all there is to it. It’s an installation technique called “click-and-lock,” which means there’s no need to use heavy construction equipment or adhesive for installation. For homeowners who are working on a budget and want the hire an experienced professional to do their installation, they can rest assured it will be a quick and smooth process.

Don’t forget to measure your rooms before installation! It’s very important that you have the correct measurements of the room in order to get a proper fit for your laminates. The click-and-lock system makes it easy for beginners, but if you’re not sure how much material you’ll need, our guide walks through each step of measuring and what to look out for when buying flooring online.

Laminate Floor Installation Tips For Beginners

The final thing that we will cover in this blog post is some installation tips for people who are planning on installing the flooring themselves. We’ll list some general tips below, but the best advice is to watch some installation videos before you begin so that you know what to expect and how to complete each step in order to minimize mistakes.

As laminates are designed to look just like real hardwood or stone without actually being solid materials it tends to be much more cost effective when comparing square footage price per foot costs with other types of flooring such as tile or natural wood planks. However if the top coat is scratched or damaged it can mar the overall look of your laminate flooring, therefore depending on the situation some homeowners prefer to have their laminate planks refinished with a new coat of protective top coating. This ensures that the floor will always look its best without sacrificing too much in terms of cost.

Laminate floors can be installed in just a few hours depending on the size of your home and how many rooms you plan to cover so they’re perfect for weekend DIYers or smaller projects. They come with an easy installation process since most manufacturers pre-cut products into interlocking pieces that simply lock together with a tongue and groove design, but using a rubber mallet may help you get the fit you need without damaging any of the boards which could lead to water damage or squeaks down the line. Be sure to check out our laminate flooring cost comparisons online before making your final decision!

Laminate Floor Care Tips

Laminate flooring is easy to install and just as easy to care for once it’s installed. The interlocking planks fit together like puzzle pieces for quick installation . Then, all you need is a regular household mop or wet vacuum cleaner to clean your new floor—we recommend using cleaners designed specifically for your floors ! * Disclosure: Some links on this site lead to our affiliate.

Laminate flooring is incredibly durable and water resistant which means it’s perfect for just about any room in your home—from kitchen to bathroom, laundry room to basement, they’re even effective as porches or patio areas . However these products are easily affected by excess moisture so if you live near an area where there tends to be high humidity levels, your manufacturer recommends using additional underlayment beneath the laminate boards to protect them from damage.

Wrap Up

We hope that you now have a better understanding of the differences between solid and hollow core laminates as well as what type you should choose based on your home’s humidity levels. Laminate flooring is a great way to upgrade your living space without having to break the bank since they’re long lasting and relatively easy to install yourself.

When you’re ready to purchase laminate flooring, we hope that this article has provided you with some helpful information. We’ll be happy to answer any questions and provide more specific advice if needed so feel free to contact us! Have you decided on the type of laminate flooring? If so, please give our team a call today at (913) 808-5383 or fill out the form below for installation pricing.