What is Durable Laminate Flooring?
No matter the day, you've got kids running in and out, dogs constantly shuffling underfoot, and a long list of to-dos that's vying for your attention. The last thing you want to worry about is your flooring. But here you are, shopping for the most durable laminate flooring for your long-awaited remodel. You want to find the best now so you can forget about it after installation and just enjoy life. That may feel unrealistic, but we're here to tell you it's entirely possible!
Laminate flooring offers natural-looking material that can hold up to the most active spaces and won't break the bank. While it may look like a simple flooring surface, it's actually a collection of several highly engineered layers. A laminate plank begins with a thick base layer constructed of plywood or fiberboard, followed by an image layer, which is essentially a photo of the hardwood species or stone you’ve picked out to match your design theme. A clear melamine wear layer tops it all, sealing and protecting the entire plank.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Durable Laminate Flooring
A floor that looks like genuine hardwood and natural stone but with scratch-resistance sounds too good to be true, so what’s the catch? Even the most durable laminate flooring has pros and cons, so let's narrow them down.
The top advantages you'll find with laminate flooring:
- Affordable way of getting that realistic hardwood look you've always wanted
- Resistant to most scratches that can come from rambunctious children and pets
But you'll also want to consider that:
- Laminate doesn't do well in high-moisture areas, so avoid installing in bathrooms, basements, and other wet areas. That said, you can opt for waterproof laminate for better moisture protection.
Appearance
Today's technology gives you the opportunity to find durable laminate flooring in a range of natural looks, including realistic visual replicas of hardwood, stone, and tile. Add a cool, muted whitewashed oak laminate to open up your space or perhaps a dramatically deep-hued maple laminate for your office remodel. Whatever your ultimate design vision, you'll have no trouble finding the perfect complement in a resilient, strong laminate flooring.
Durability
Are you the type of person who's always hosting get-togethers and cooking big spreads for your family and friends? Are you constantly taking in stray animals and helping them find cozy, new homes? Whether it's you alone in your home or you have a bustling array of others with you, laminate flooring can withstand all lifestyles. Its composition was made for it, from the super dense and compressed base layer to the protective wear layer. Together they form a rigid surface that's built to last, though keep in mind that doesn’t mean that laminate can resist standing water.
Maintaining Strong Laminate Flooring
To keep your laminate floors looking fresh, you'll want to make sure a quick cleaning is on your schedule. Thankfully maintenance is pretty simple for strong laminate flooring —just sweep up the dirt, pet hair, and debris that's collected each week. If there's an unexpected spill at lunchtime or your kitten misses the litter box, clean the area as soon as you can by following the manufacturer's instructions.
Lifespan and Installation
If you're on the hunt for the most durable laminate flooring, it's likely longevity is also high on your priority list. Though we'd love to be able to say that a new laminate floor will last you a specific number of years, it's just not possible to accurately predict its lifespan. What we do know is that you'll get many years from durable laminate, especially with the following factors on your side:
- Proper installation with quality laminate and other materials
- Consistent care and maintenance that aligns with the manufacturer's guidance
- Protection from sharp or heavy impacts in the form of area rugs, furniture pads, and the like
It's so important, we'll say it again: we recommend maximizing your floor's future with a professional installation. An experienced pro won't take risks that void your warranty protection, plus you'll end up with gorgeous and strong laminate flooring without any unnecessary headaches.
FAQs about Durable Laminate Flooring
- What is more durable: laminate or tile? Are you waffling between floors made of real tiles and tile-look laminate? Both will beautifully complement your home's decor, but ceramic tile is naturally more durable as well as water resistant. That said, laminate flooring durability holds up impressively well, is typically easier to install, and is more affordable if you’re working with a tighter budget.
- What is more durable: laminate or vinyl? You can easily find vinyl that withstands the same amount of wear and tear as strong laminate flooring. They're equally durable when it comes to general foot traffic. Laminate flooring is more budget-friendly, while vinyl flooring is better at handling bathrooms, basements, and other rooms with high moisture levels.
- What is more durable: wood or laminate? Believe it or not, laminate floors have a higher durability than wood floors do. Laminate flooring is more scratch-resistant, but it can't be sanded and refinished like hardwood floors.
- How can you tell good quality durable laminate flooring? The certification seal from the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) makes it easy to identify laminate flooring durability. It lets you know that the laminate product has passed stress and quality assurance tests. Plus, you can also consider its abrasion class (AC) rating, which reflects a product's overall durability and ability to resist impact and abrasion.
- What is the strongest laminate? Products are constantly evolving, so it's nearly impossible to pinpoint one exact laminate option that's definitely the strongest. As you're shopping, you can determine a strong laminate flooring product in part based on its thickness, wear layer, and AC rating.
