Benefits Of Plank Laminate Floor

Many people wrestle with the idea of real hard wood floor versus the benefits of plank laminate floor.  There really is no argument.  It all boils down to your need and purpose.  Both types of floors have their independent benefits.  Ultimately, you as a home owner must decide what fits your unique needs.

Wide plank flooring provides flexibility opportunities for both home and business owners.  While plank laminate flooring cannot be refinished like a solid or hardwood engineered floor, the surface may in fact last  longer than a comparable wood floor.  I can see eye balls rolling now and saying in their minds “is this guy living in a dream world or what?”.  Laminate floors now come with a standard wear of at least 15 years.  It will never stain, rot, or mold.  Mmmm.

Let’s discuss what makes up a laminate floor.  It consists of high-density fiber board, backed with plywood sandwiched with a slim layer of melamine underneath the fiberboard providing a necessary moisture barrier. Photographs of real hardwood planks are produced on sheets of paper then bonded to the HDF and coated with an invisible layer of aluminum oxide hence shielding and protecting the images and backing. This is also called the wear layer protecting against impact and dampness.

What really impresses me about laminate flooring is that it’s made for the DIY. I could give a box of flooring to my 8 & 10 year old boys and they could have a floor installed in an afternoon minus any cuts that require a chop saw.  A high quality laminate floor usually costs about half as much as a traditional hardwood floor.  Installation is also a fraction of the cost since laminate floors are floated.