Laminate Flooring Installation Cost

If you like the looks of a real hardwood floor, but you either cannot afford it or your floors are not of a material that would accommodate a hardwood floor, then laminate flooring would be something for you to consider. While laminate floors look like hardwood floors they do not dent, scuff, stain or mar as hardwood floors do. Laminate floors are durable and easy to install and somewhat inexpensive. Laminate flooring can be used in any room in the house i.e. hallways, foyers, bathrooms, kitchens and other family spaces. Hardwood floors have to be constantly protected from spills, sand, muddy pets and other things that can harm the floor; laminate flooring is made to handle the rigors and hazards of everyday activity.

At first glance it is hard to distinguish between the hardwood floors from the laminate flooring. What seems to be a natural wood grain pattern is really a photographic image under a protective film that is glued and pressed to a high density backing board. The protective film under which the image is pressed is extremely hard. Laminate flooring, because of its durability and resistance to punctures and gouging, is ideal flooring for high and heavy traffic areas.

The cost of laminate flooring is inexpensive compared to oak strip flooring. The oak strip flooring can cost Ten to thirteen dollars per square foot installed while laminates can cost from seven to eleven dollars a square foot installed. Of course, it stands to reason that the more exotic hardwood flooring is higher in price. Since the wood character comes from a photographic image in laminate flooring, the price is the same for any grain or finish.

With regard to the installation of both the hardwood floors and laminate floors; the hardwood flooring boards should be in the where it will be used at least three weeks prior to its installation, allowing the wood to acclimate to the humidity and dryness of the house. If the hardwood floor is laid to early it will dry, shrink and the joints will open up. Laminates need only to be at the site a few days prior to installation.

Unlike the hardwood floors that need to be sanded every few years and refinished, laminate floors require very little maintenance. If you find damaged laminate floor boards the process for replacing them is the same as for hardwood floors. If such damage occurs than a professional should be called in to do the replacing.

Routine maintenance for laminate floors consists of nothing more than a vacuum or a damp mop to wipe up the floor. If the laminate flooring is in the bathroom or the kitchen where spills are most likely to appear, the floor should be wiped up quickly so that the water will not seep into the cracks of the laminate floor boards.

Hardwood flooring has the distinction of being a “natural” wood floor and is beautiful but, laminate is equally as beautiful and requires less maintenance and is less costly than the hardwood floor.