If you're considering replacing your existing flooring, laminate flooring is an attractive and budget-friendly option. But is it durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of everyday life? Let’s find out.
Different Types of Laminate Flooring
The first thing to consider when determining the durability of laminate flooring is the type of laminate flooring you choose. There are two primary types of laminate flooring—wood-look and tile-look. Both look great in any home, but wood-look laminates are generally considered more durable than tile-look laminates.
Wood-look laminates are made from layers of hardwood pressed together with resin binders, making them incredibly strong and resistant to wear and tear. Tile-look laminates are not as strong as their wood counterparts because they are made from a thin layer of plastic film printed with a realistic tile design that's then bonded onto a core layer of fiberboard or particle board. This makes tile-look laminates less durable than wood-look laminates, but still quite resilient if properly installed and maintained.
Maintenance Matters
No matter what type of laminate flooring you opt for, proper maintenance will go a long way toward ensuring its longevity. To keep your laminate floors looking good, it’s important to sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt and dust particles that can scratch the surface over time. You should also clean up spills immediately to prevent staining or warping. Lastly, protect your floors with high-quality felt furniture pads under all furniture legs; this will help reduce scratching and gouging caused by heavy furniture being dragged across the surface.
In conclusion, when it comes to durability, wood-look laminates are superior to tile-look laminates due to their multi-layer construction that provides added strength and protection against wear and tear. Proper maintenance is essential for extending the life of any type of laminate flooring, so make sure you take care of yours! With proper care and maintenance, laminate floors can look great for years!