Looking to buy a home with laminate flooring or even install laminate in your existing home takes some important knowledge about the floors themselves. Take a look at how old the flooring is before buying the home. You may end up with a replacement price tag that you weren’t expecting. In addition, if you are looking to install new laminate floors in your existing home, research the various manufacturers and their product offerings.
Not all products are made equally. How long does laminate flooring last? Laminate flooring lasts an average of 15 to 30 years. Most give you 10 years before looking worn. Various factors such as moisture, spills, water damage, and basic wear and tear, play into how long the laminate flooring lasts.
Let’s take a look below at some more details regarding laminate flooring.
Pros of Laminate Flooring
Asking all of the right questions of the flooring professionals allows you to create an aesthetically pleasing environment in your home. Before you decide which flooring to use consider all of the factors and options.
- Cheaper on the budget
- Typically will not stain
- Easy to install
- Does not promote allergies
Cons of Laminate Flooring
Avoiding all of the negative portions of flooring is key to a successful home experience. These are the main reasons for staying away from laminate flooring.
- Chemicals present depending upon the manufacturer
- Typically look fake
- More likely to get damaged from moisture and water
- Make a lot of noise when walking on them
How Much Does It Cost
Researching the various manufacturers of laminate flooring is your most important task when determining which one to install. The longevity of a laminate floor is typically based on wear and tear and environmental factors. Choosing a high-quality product made by a reputable manufacturer can give you around 10 years of flooring longevity. The national average for laminate flooring ranges from $3 to $8 per square foot. This is based on floor quality and thickness. The total cost for flooring materials and installation ranges from $1,400 to $3,400.
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Other Recommended Maintenance
While you are learning about how long laminate flooring lasts, it is a good idea to also look into the possibility of laying vinyl flooring over tile. Understanding the substrate of your current flooring allows you to determine if you should lay vinyl flooring over the tile flooring.
Since you are on the topic of flooring, another area that can improve the look of your home are your doors. Selecting between a hollow core door and a solid wood door is certainly a challenge. Read up on the pros and cons of hollow core doors before making your investment.
When Do I Call A Professional
Flooring questions can come up often. When buying a home or looking to enhance a current home, flooring is always one of the topics that are highly discussed. It is recommended that you seek out some professional advice before investing a lot of money into flooring. Luckily, there are a few people that you can talk to.
Seek out your local home flooring store and speak to the professionals to see which type of flooring might last the longest and is most suitable for your home. You should also speak to a local general contractor that is an expert in flooring. If you are not sure who to call, reach out to your local home inspection team for a full flooring evaluation and general contractor recommendation.
Conclusion
Dealing with flooring decisions is always tough. As the homeowner, you never want to make the wrong decision as it could cost you a lot of money. Luckily for you, there are a lot of local resources that can help answer your flooring questions. Start with your local home flooring stores to get an idea of the variety of flooring products. Knowing how long laminate flooring lasts vs other flooring options is key before you invest. Call Waypoint Property Inspection to inspect your home in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Lakeland, Orlando, Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, and surrounding areas.
