In today’s world it is hard to trust the word “cheap,” it has become synonymous with shoddy, low quality products. Cheap laminate flooring is one product that continues to have a low price tag, but an excellent value for a lasting, durable product. Laminate has become more popular since 1996, some companies even boasts that it is the ‘most popular’ flooring sold today.
A variety of companies including Mohawk Laminates, Armstrong Laminates, Alloc Laminates, Berry Laminates, and Wilsonart Laminates make a wide range of patterns and styles of laminate flooring to meet customers needs. These companies are not the only companies, there are many companies worldwide that specialize in different types of laminates.
Laminate flooring is resilient, low maintenance, and inexpensive. I was amazed to see prices start at $2.49 per square foot. The variety of wood and earth simulating patterns and the variety of colors available are amazing, there is even flooring that has been enhanced with texture to give it more of a real wood or stone appearance and feel.
Cheap laminate flooring is easy to install, which attracts many people who prefer to do their own home improvement projects rather than paying for professionals to install their flooring. It can be water repellant and can be used in wet areas, and is popular for indoor and outdoor flooring. It is an attractive option for outdoor projects, less expensive than wood or stone, and easier to install and care for. Few other inexpensive flooring options are made for outdoor settings.
There are other types of flooring which are also low maintenance and inexpensive such as sheet vinyl flooring or vinyl tiles and planks; each has its advantages. Laminate flooring can be easier to install as it does not come in a large roll like sheet vinyl does. Laminate comes in planks that are either fitted together like puzzle pieces or are glued together as they are fitted. Laminate flooring provides the beauty of a hardwood floor without the high maintenance that normally goes with hardwood floors, and its price tag is more attractive as well.
It is important when purchasing your laminate flooring to consider what your needs are for the area you plan to use it in, does it need to be water resistant or repellent; does it have a high quality coating to minimize potential damage from high traffic or scratches? Price should not be the only consideration in your choice.
When laminate flooring was first developed, the coating protecting the tiles wore through easily and the tiles were easy to damage or discolor. Over the years, laminate companies have changed what materials they use to increase the durability and beauty of their flooring to make it competitive with other flooring types, without its old disadvantages. Adding a sublayer of flooring below the laminate can add to comfort and decrease sound, as well as enhancing the floor’s longevity.
