Are you considering switching to flooring in your home, but aren’t sure about the cost to install laminate flooring? Flooring can cost $9-$12 per square foot, so it’s vital you get it done right by a professional.
In this article, explore all about laminate flooring, and why so many are making the switch. Read on to discover why this could be the perfect flooring for you when you’re looking for an updated look.
Why Get Laminate Flooring?
If you’re looking for the hardwood look without the price tag, opt for laminate flooring. The difference between real wood and laminate flooring is that laminate doesn’t have a top wood layer. Instead, it’s an image of ceramic tile, wood, stone, or stained concrete that has a plastic coating. Technology for laminate flooring is so advanced, that it can be hard to spot the difference between hardwood and laminate.
The price can range from $1-$7 per square foot, and then the installation is about $2-$5. This depends on the range, and how difficult the area is to install the flooring.
Laminate Flooring Designs
Laminate flooring is a multi-layered synthetic flooring. It’s kept together by having a lamination process. It can look like tile, stone, wood, etc. Many choose this option since it’s affordable, lasts for decades, and can withstand water and debris.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Laminate Flooring?
If you’re looking to have laminate flooring professionally installed, it can range from $1,500-$5,000. There are other costs as well such as installation fees, furniture removal, and delivery.
Square Footage
When you’re determining the cost for your home, you’ll need to take a look at the square footage. The larger the area of installation will be, the more it’ll cost since it’s calculated by square footage.
Installation costs plus labor can impact the cost overall. If your room is open, it tends to be less to install laminate flooring since it’s easier.
The Different Types of Laminate
The finish you decide to go with for your laminate flooring will impact the price overall. You can choose from embossed in register, embossed, or hand scrapped. Hand scrapped is where the flooring looks like hand scrapped hardwood flooring. The process is finished in the manufacturing plant. They can range in price from $3-$6.
An embossed finish looks similar to hardwood. They can range from about $1.80-$3. Embossed in register is where the texture and depth are added to your laminate panels. This can range from $1.80-$3.99.
Floor Construction
You can choose from direct-pressure laminate or high-pressure laminate for installation. Which you choose will depend on how often you go into this room. If you decide to go with high-pressure laminate flooring, this is where the top wear layer and backing layer are separated. They’re combined to the core layer which creates the flooring. They tend to be more expensive than direct-pressure laminate flooring.
Direct-pressure laminate flooring has 4 layers of flooring (wear, decorative, core, and backing). It tends to be less expensive than high-pressure laminate flooring.
Understanding the Layers of Laminate
The different layers of laminate flooring are backing, printed, wear, and fiberboard. The backing layer helps to ensure the flooring will stay even and straight. The backing layer helps prevent moisture from entering. Fiberboard layers are made with a high-density. Softwood is combined with wax and resin. Panels click together so that you don’t need to attach each board with the floor. Printed layers are the markings on the flooring. You can choose from a marble, stone, or wood look.
The wear layer is at the top of the flooring. This is where the finished look comes from, and the durability. The wear layer helps prevent the daily wear of children and pets scratching the flooring.
The Different Textures of Laminate Flooring
There are many different textures to choose from for your laminate flooring. If you decide to go with a hand-scraped texture, it’s similar to hardwood flooring. You’ll find varying patterns and colors in this option. For a smooth finish, choose the smooth texture flooring. There’s not a deep grain texture in this option, and instead, it’s soft. If you’re looking for a shiny appearance, this is a great option.
Choose an oiled-wood texture if you’re looking for a hardwood look. It resembles an oiled hardwood flooring.
Cleaning Laminate Flooring
To clean your laminate flooring daily, you’ll want ta duster or damp mop. You can do spot cleaning since waxing or wet mopping isn’t necessary. If any spills occur, clean them up right away. If you notice any scratches or nicks, you can cover them with finishing putty specifically for laminate flooring. Use casters or floor protectors on your furniture legs to decrease the chances of scratching.
Installation Types
There are different installation types for laminate flooring, from glued to glue-less. If you decide to go with the glued option, this is where you’ll glue joints together. This will cost more than the glueless option. Talk to your local flooring company, like Zelta Floor & Design if you’re from Toronto, and get quotes for both options.
For glueless installation, this is where planks or tiles are placed without glue. It’s important to install them properly, but they’re easier to install. You can also choose from underlayment attached or pre-glued laminate flooring.
The Pros and Cons
While laminate flooring is easy to install and scratch-resistant, it’s not hardwood. Also, it’s vital you get proper installation since warping can occur. Warping occurs if it’s installed poorly, experiences a lot of moisture, or isn’t acclimating in the area. Keep in mind that it can’t be refinished or sanded. It is hypoallergenic and pet-friendly. You can also enjoy the lower price compared to other flooring options.
Exploring the Cost to Install Laminate Flooring
Now that you’ve explored the cost to install laminate flooring, you should have a better idea if it’s the right fit for your home. Looking for some interior design inspiration? Check out our other articles today for everything from designing your entire home or apartment, to shopping guides.
Photo by Maksim Goncharenok from Pexels
Great post about installing laminate flooring and the price! I moved into an older home and the hardwood floor was in bad shape! I had a hard time choosing between paying to refinish it or just putting laminate over it to save money. In the end, It wasn’t that much more to refinish it and i’m really happy with how it turned out!
This is really a great post, Denisa! I was planning to switch laminate flooring in my home. I had not much knowledge about it, but I got a thorough idea from your post. It will be extremely helpful to me. I will keep you updated once I install it. Cheers!