Laminate flooring: stylish, durable and easy to lay. But is it really the perfect choice for every room? As with any flooring, there are some things to consider with laminate. You might be wondering, ‘What are the disadvantages of laminate flooring?’. No worries, we’ll take you through the most common challenges as well as share smart tips for tackling those drawbacks. That way, you know exactly where you stand and can make the right choice for your house. Ready to discover everything?
Does Laminate floor make noise?
A common question about laminate floor is whether it is loud. Laminate flooring is solid and hard, which means you can hear the sound of footsteps quite well. This happens because laminate flooring is not glued down, unlike Vinyl flooring, for example. Vinyl floors are often glued directly to the concrete substrate, giving them a solid and muffled walking sound.
Fortunately, there are solutions! The walking noise of laminate can be significantly reduced by using impact sound reducing subfloors. These subfloors lowers the sound and provide a calmer walking experience. By choosing the right subfloor, you can significantly reduce the sound of your laminate flooring.
Water-resistant laminate
When it comes to water resistance, there are some major disadvantages of laminate you need to consider. Laminate is not naturally waterproof, meaning that prolonged exposure to water can lead to swelling, warping or even mould. Fortunately, there are (partially) water-resistant laminate floors, such as the Country House and City Laminate, which can withstand water for up to 4 hours. This makes it an excellent choice for damp rooms. Still, even with these water-resistant floors, it is important to clean up spills quickly and maintain the floor properly for long-term protection.
Laminate flooring design
Laminate floors consist of a core of MDF or HDF, topped with a decor layer that defines the design of the floor. Unfortunately, because the decor layers often contain several designs, it is not the case that each plank is unique, as is the case with wooden floors. This means that you may encounter the same pattern in different parts of the floor.
Did you know?
Country House Laminate floors have a continuous pattern? This is because they have a double-sided V-groove and the design of the end edges are seamless, making them seem endlessly long. This unique feature creates a feeling of more space in the room.
Can every type of laminate floor be installed in herringbone form?
Laminate is always installed floating on a matching subfloor, and thanks to the handy click connection, the planks easily click together. However, this click connection is specifically designed for one type of pattern. Therefore, you can hardly ever lay laminate floors in a different pattern than the one they were designed for.
Do you consider a herringbone laminate floor, for example? Then keep in mind that it can only be laid in herringbone pattern. Unless it is specifically mentioned that the same colour or style is also available as straight planks, switching to a different laying pattern is not possible. With slab Vinyl floors, for example, you are not stuck to a particular laying pattern, as these are glued to the substrate and you are not stuck to a particular laying pattern.
One famous person once said, ‘Every disadvantage has its advantage.’ Will laminate flooring not be an option for you because of its drawbacks? Fortunately, there are alternatives, such as Hybrid Wood and Vinyl flooring. In this blog, we have of course discussed the disadvantages of laminate, but don’t forget that there are also many advantages to Floer laminate floors. They are stylish and easy to lay and maintain, ideal for those looking for a practical yet beautiful floor.
