Laminate Flooring frequently asked questions

What is laminate flooring?

A great alternative to genuine wood with added water resistance, laminate flooring is composed of pressed composite wood or high-density fiberboard with a photographic image layer underneath a rigid resin layer. Emulating the look and feel of real hardwood, stone, or ceramic tile, laminate is even created in the longest, widest plank varieties and stone formats for realistic finished floors. The dense construction offers strength and durability, while reinforced aluminum oxide finishes provide scratch and stain resistance.

What is the difference between laminate and luxury vinyl?

Both laminate and luxury vinyl flooring will help you capture striking wood and stone visuals for less, and with enhanced moisture resistance. Laminate planks are rigid, dense, and offer tremendous durability thanks to the multi-layered construction with an aluminum-oxide top wear layer. Luxury vinyl provides rigid texture while also offering a softer give, greater flexibility, and dimensional stability. Luxury vinyl offers more completely waterproof products, whereas laminate can bring supreme durability more readily.

Is laminate flooring waterproof?

Most laminate products offer water resistance but are not entirely waterproof. Make sure to purchase warranted waterproof laminate for areas like kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or mudrooms. Although laminate offers greater moisture resistance than hardwood, you still need to clean up spills as soon as possible to prevent damage, dry any standing water as promptly as you can, and avoid using wet mops to clean.

Does laminate flooring require underlayment?

Not all laminate flooring products come with attached underlayment, and padding is recommended for installation. If you want to use laminate flooring in rooms that experience moisture, padding will prevent moisture that comes through the subfloor from causing the floor to warp or the growth of mildew. If your laminate flooring does not feature attached padding, we recommend purchasing quality underlayment to enhance performance and the life of the floor.

Is laminate flooring DIY-friendly?

Many of today's laminate planks click together with locking systems and can often be installed over existing flooring, while other products are glue-down varieties. Although laminate offers greater DIY capability than hardwood, laminate planks will be harder to cut to size for tricker floorplans. Floating installation options will prove easier to install than glue-down installation. Always reference the manufacturer’s installation instructions to maintain your product warranties.

Can laminate flooring go everywhere in the home?

Yes! Homeowners love laminate flooring since these heavy, sturdy planks can handle foot traffic and moisture while resisting dents and scratches that come with an active household. Thanks to premium durability, laminate is a solid choice for high-traffic rooms like hallways, playrooms, and family rooms. With the right laminate flooring products suitable for moisture conditions, you can have wood or stone beauty in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and even basements.

What are the best laminate care and maintenance steps?

Laminate flooring is incredibly low maintenance. Daily or frequent sweeping will remove tracked-in dust and debris. Use a cloth and water to remove any spots, and a pH-neutral cleaner if needed. You need to verify that your laminate floors have the appropriate level of moisture resistance before you wet mop them. We also highly recommend using rugs to minimize the impact of household activity.

How do I clean spills on laminate flooring?

Perfect for homes with kids and pets where frequent spills and accidents can occur, you can simply wipe up most spills on laminates when they happen and use a pH-neutral cleaner to remove dried spills. You do not need steam cleanings, a vacuum, brushes, steel wool, or ammonia cleaners. Use a soft nylon brush, a manufacturer-approved cleaner, and water to treat spots and stains.

What’s the average cost of laminate flooring?

The average cost to purchase laminate flooring typically ranges between $3 to $5 per square foot for material only. Unless you have prior DIY flooring experience and the tools necessary to complete installation, it is recommended that you hire professionals for your laminate installation.

How long does laminate flooring last?

Under normal household conditions, your laminate flooring should last from 15 years up to 25 years with proper maintenance. The residential warranties of laminate flooring can vary widely among products, and longer warranties will cost more to purchase. As you explore different laminate products, use your household activity level to determine the thickness, water resistance, and AC rating of the best-suited options for your rooms and ensure longer-lasting performance.

At Kelly's Carpet Omaha in Omaha, NE, we’ve got all of the answers to your laminate flooring questions! For more information on our laminate offerings, we invite you to browse our selection today.