We do not have enough good things to say about laminate as an option for your floor. Laminate floors are durable, stylish, and easy to clean, but that doesn't mean they don't have a few things you ought to look out for. Here is a list of the three biggest downsides to consider when deciding if laminate is the right floor for you!
1) Too Close for Comfort
Laminate floors are a bit different from other kinds of flooring. They are considered a floating floor, which means they are not to be fastened down to the subfloor beneath them. They need to have the freedom to expand over time. The problem that many people have when they install these floors is something known as peaking. Basically, if the floorboards are installed too close to the wall and don't have room to expand, they will push up against each other, developing a bump or a peak in the floor.
Tip: When installing your laminate floor, be sure to use spacers along the walls to provide your floor with space to increase in size.
2) An Unsightly Transformation
Sadly, laminate floors are easy to mark up. If you try to move furniture around your floor will look like your cat mistook it for a scratching post. It won't be pretty.
Tip: If you find a small scratch defacing your floor, go ahead and pick up a laminate touch-up kit from the hardware store. It's not difficult equipment to use. From there be sure to stick felt pads onto the bottom of any furniture in the room.
3) Inaccurately Acclimatized
Anyone who has read our blogs before probably notices a theme with inconsistent temperatures being an issue for flooring professionals. If the room you wish to install a laminate floor in is not acclimatized a few days prior to installation, you're going to have some obstacles to overcome. The floor planks may move away from each other, creating gaps. It's a quick way to make your laminate floors look cheap and unsightly. The same thing will happen if the temperature in the room drops suddenly.
Tip: If you don't want your flooring to shrink up, make sure to acclimatize your floor prior to installation and turn on a heater in cooler months. Keep that temperature consistent!