Pros/ Cons of laminate flooring?

Answer 1

There are many types of laminates to choose from. The type I really suggest avoiding is the floating laminate (aka Pergo and the likes). As it is floating it is a loud surface if you wear hard shoes. The sound is not absorbed into the floor below it so it disperses through the room. Some folks don't mind that, but it can be an issue.

Also is the Pergo look. I have a hard time with a floor surface that looks like it came off a decent laser printer.

On the positive side, being a floating floor, Pergo is really easy to take up after you grow tired of it.

Other types of laminates can be glued or nailed. I prefer to use these. They are some times called engineered floors. Essentially this is actually plywood planks made to look like hardwood. It is real wood and looks just fine. There are two thing to be careful here.

One is the top layer thickness. This is often mentioned in the description. It will have an impact on how many times you can sand it to refinish it.

The second is the density and hardness. Some of the brands use layers of pine or other soft woods. The issue there is that they may dent easier from furniture, or mar from the nails from large dog(s).

There are some very good engineered options to choose from.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

All are susceptible to moisture cupping so make sure you place durable vapor barrier over the concrete before the sleepers and or the flooring goes on. Laminate and hardwood veneer can go directly over the vapor barrier. Hardwood will have to go on sleepers/strapping. Laminate flooring has a particle board substrate which is affected by moisture. The laminate boards could curl up. It also scratches easy and is slippery for a dog. After awhile it sort of looks like laminate. It is the same thing as a laminate countertop. Hardwood veneer flooring also has the particle board as a substrate. It is a little harder and more natural then laminate. Real hardwood full thickness flooring is of course the best and most durable. The most expensive too. Probably the basement might be a little too much. If I were your dog, I would prefer the real hardwood floor, with plush thick oriental rugs over it, and also radiant heat under that. A good alternative to above would be VCT tiles. It is the easiest to install, durable, looks gooding. The dogs still need the Oriental rugs though. woof, woof

Answer 3

Not too many cons. You have to clean them more frequently than carpet but ONLY because the carpet hides the dirt and dust and the laminate floors don't. PROS, they cut down on allergies(no dust mites like in carpet) The house smells better. The house stays cleaner. Nothing stains. Everything can be swept and mopped up. I love my flooring. I prefer them over real hardwood floors. Buy the cleaner at the store you but the florring from. Windex and swiffer leave it a little cloudy/streaky.

Answer 4

Okay, so far you've mostly gotten the pros of laminate flooring, so I'll clue you in on some cons.
It doesn't last as long as tile or wood flooring. If it gets a tear or cut or crack in it then it's harder to replace or fix (especially with spot-fixing).
It looks cheaper, and food tends to stick to it really well if not noticed and left to dry there.
It's easy to cut, scratch, tear, wear holes in, stain and crack and some types tend to yellow over time.
They eventually look very dull, and you can't use some waxes on them sometimes.

I hate laminate flooring for those reasons.

But the good ones are that it doesn't take much to clean them up (just keep up with them so they don't stain).
They are also softer and warmer on your feet than wood or tile flooring.
Kid-safe and kid-friendly.
Cheap and more inexpensive to replace than resanding wood floors or replacing tile floors altogether. (still the spot thing is a porblem).

Hope this helps with your decision:)

Answer 5

The more expensive laminates tend to look a little less like laminates.

Answer 6

Pros - easier to take care of.
Cons - it will always look like laminate.

Answer 7

The only Cons I can think about laminate is it is "unnatural", other than that, all advantages, maintenance, ease of installation, cost, beauty, etc. I am very practical, are you?