How Long Does Laminate Flooring Last [Expected Lifespan Revealed]
The correct flooring may provide many years of beauty and delight for a reasonable price. \
Choosing which type of flooring to purchase can be a difficult decision.
Over the past few years, laminate flooring has been increasingly popular as an alternative flooring option.
However, while deciding whether laminate flooring is the best flooring option for you and how long laminate flooring will last, there is one major consideration:
how long will laminate flooring endure?
Laminate flooring has a lifespan of 15 to 25 years, depending on the quality.
The quality of the flooring and the level of maintenance provided throughout the years have a significant impact on the flooring’s lifespan.
If laminate flooring is properly maintained, it may survive for much longer periods of time, even up to 25 years.
High-traffic laminate flooring can survive for up to ten years in high-traffic areas.
If you are considering installing laminate flooring in your home, there are a number of important considerations that you should keep in mind before making your decision.
The information contained in this article will provide you with all of the information you require about laminate flooring.
See Also:
How to Clean Laminate Flooring
12 Easy Steps to Install Laminate Flooring
Understanding the Fundamentals of Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a beautiful and durable option for busy families that want a floor that can be changed easily.
This material has an attractive appearance similar to wood, yet it is available to consumers at a fraction of the cost of real wood.
Waterproof laminate flooring is an excellent alternative for flooring, especially if you plan to use it in wet areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms.
This one-of-a-kind form of flooring is made up of several layers of material, each of which contains bonding chemicals to keep it robust.
Choosing a finish or design for laminate means that you are choosing to have the design printed and embossed throughout the entire material.
In contrast to vinyl, laminate has a longer lifespan since it is designed to display colors and patterns throughout the entire floor rather than simply on the surface of the floor.
An optically clear protective coating is applied to the laminate after it has been made.
When applied to the flooring, this coating helps to prevent it from fading and sustaining substantial water damage.
Laminate flooring is available in a variety of thicknesses, which can have an impact on both the overall cost and the longevity of the flooring.
However, while thicker laminate is more durable, it is also slightly more expensive than thinner laminate options.
Warping, dents, and dings caused by impact are very impossible to achieve with most laminate flooring, making it a close competitor to hardwood in terms of overall durability.
Installation is simple, and the majority of laminating can be completed in one day or less.
Laminating Flooring Lifespan
The usual lifespan of laminate flooring is between 15 and 25 years, however, it can be as low as 10 years or as long as 30 years depending on the type of laminate flooring.
The variation in life expectancy is determined by the quality of the flooring, whether or not it was correctly laid, and the amount of traffic it is subjected to during its lifetime.
Improper maintenance, such as the use of aggressive cleansers or the failure to clean up spills, can shorten the life of the floor.
As a rule, laminate flooring does not outlast hardwood flooring, which can have a lifespan of up to 75 years if it is properly cared for and maintained.
It also cannot be sanded and refinished in the same way that wood can.
It is necessary to replace the top layer once it has worn away.
When it comes to laminate flooring, there are at least four layers to consider, including a wear layer that protects the floor and increases its durability.
Because of this wear layer, laminate flooring is extremely resilient and can last for up to 25 years if properly maintained and cleaned.
The usual lifespan of laminate flooring is between 15 and 25 years, however, it can be as low as 10 years or as long as 30 years depending on the type of laminate flooring.
The quality of the flooring, whether or not it was correctly placed, the amount of traffic it receives, and how well it is maintained all contribute to the variation in life expectancy between floors.
Improper maintenance, such as the use of aggressive cleansers or the failure to clean up spills, can shorten the life of the floor.
The lifespan of laminate flooring is less than that of hardwood flooring, but hardwood floors require more upkeep and must be sanded and refinished more frequently.
When the top layer of laminate flooring begins to wear away, it must be replaced.
How to Increase the Life Expectancy of Your Laminate Floors
- Cleaning and stain removal on a regular basis
- Clean the floor on a regular basis with cleaning products designed exclusively for laminate floor maintenance.
- If you must mop, use a moist mop to ensure that less water seeps into the seams of your laminate flooring material.
- Spills should be blotted up as soon as they occur with a moist cloth. Always make sure that liquids do not accumulate on your floor.
- Use a steam mop once in a while to get a really thorough clean. However, you should not use steam on a daily basis because the repeated use of steam might cause the laminate to buckle.
- Use of any form of buffing or polishing machine on your laminate floors is strictly prohibited.
- Keep steel wool, abrasive cleansers, and strong ammoniated or chlorinated cleaners to a minimum while cleaning.
- Planks that are twisted or damaged should be replaced.
- Place furniture pads under the legs of all of your tables and chairs.
Laminating Flooring Lifespan Facts
Laminate Flooring has a Number of Advantages
Laminate flooring is constructed of composite wood that has been compacted together and is then coated with a hardwood image and a protective coat to create a durable surface.
The components that go into making laminate flooring are less expensive, and the installation process itself is less expensive than other flooring alternatives.
Because of the way laminate flooring is constructed, it is more durable than hardwood flooring and is more resistant to scratches, dents, and general wear and tear.
Furthermore, laminate floors are less difficult to maintain than hardwood floors.
Repair
Using a vacuum or broom, laminate flooring is simple to keep clean.
Use a slightly moist mop, or better yet, laminate floor cleaner, to clean your floors.
With laminate floors, there is never any need to wax the floor.
When mopping, avoid using too much water because it might soak into the cracks between the boards and cause edema.
Standing pools of water, such as those found in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms, will damage laminate flooring and should be avoided at all costs.
It is necessary to use an impervious surface, such as vinyl or porcelain tile, in regions where there is a lot of moisture.
There is a wear layer on the surface of laminate flooring, which protects the photographic layer underneath.
This makes laminate flooring moderately resistant to scratches and dents, but not extremely resistant to stains.
Some manufacturers even provide warranties on the wear layer itself that are in the range of 10 years or more.
If you do end up with a stain, it is usually rather simple to remove.
The inability to sand and refinish laminate flooring is a significant disadvantage of this type of flooring.
A very worn, deeply damaged, or deeply grooved laminate floor cannot be sanded or refinished, as can be done with solid hardwood flooring; rather, it must be replaced.
The Quality of Laminate Flooring
Floors made of lower-cost, lower-quality laminate are more likely to endure less than ten years and are more prone to chipping, peeling, and separation, leaving you with a shabby, unsightly floor.
Lower-quality laminates generally have fuzzy or less realistic patterns on their surfaces, which detract from their overall appearance.
Take the time to learn about the more reputable, high-quality manufacturers, and keep an eye out for how long they are willing to stand behind their products under warranty.
The Installation of Laminate Floors
While laminate flooring is the most DIY-friendly and easiest to install of all the flooring options available, this does not negate the need to take safety precautions when installing laminate flooring.
To guarantee a good laminate flooring installation, it is important to thoroughly study and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Improper installation can void manufacturer warranties and shorten the overall life of your laminate flooring by several years.
If you’re not totally confident in your ability to complete the installation process, you might consider hiring a professional flooring contractor to assist you.
Hiring a professional to install your laminate floors will be less expensive than installing other types of flooring, and it will be worth it to know that the job is being done correctly.
Maintenance Suggestions
Take proper care of your laminate flooring, just like you would any other item in your home, to ensure that it lasts as long as possible.
Because flooring represents a significant financial commitment, it is critical that you exercise caution when cleaning and maintaining your floors.
While there is no definitive answer to the question “how long does laminate flooring endure,” there are a few things to consider.
It does play a part in terms of upkeep alone, so yes, it does.
It is critical to utilize cleaning chemicals that will not eat away at the laminate’s protective transparent covering because laminate has a thin, clear layer.
Things like ammonia and vinegar should be avoided while cleaning laminate floors.
These compounds are acidic, which means that they have the potential to eat away at that critical protective layer.
In order to properly clean laminate flooring, make sure the mop you’re using is damp rather than soaking wet.
If water is allowed to lie on top of laminate flooring for an extended period of time, it can cause the floors to buckle or warp.
Keeping your pet’s nails properly cut will help to prevent them from scratching the coating on your laminate floors.
If sharp nails or other foreign objects penetrate the top layer, moisture may seep through and cause damage below the surface.
Remove trash and filth from your floors by sweeping them up with a dustpan and broom.
A soft-brush attachment for your vacuum will allow you to get to those hard-to-reach areas without having to worry about scratching your floors or damaging them.
The beater brush should not be used when vacuuming laminate floors since it could harm the surface or cause other damage.
As an alternative, just use your vacuum cleaner while it is set to the hard floor setting so that it does not leave any marks behind.
What Are the Different Types of Laminate Floors That Are Available for Purchase
In terms of laminate flooring options, you are in luck if you are searching for something that has a variety of colors and patterns.
The many surface types of laminate flooring are what distinguish the numerous varieties of laminate flooring accessible since the variety in laminate flooring is determined by the appearance of the surface.
When it comes to laminate floors, there are a plethora of various styles and colors to pick from these days.
The smooth finish is the most traditional and straightforward of all the finishes.
This glossy, lustrous surface has a look that is extremely close to that of hardwood, which is one of the reasons why it is a popular choice among homeowners.
The advantage of this sort of laminate flooring is that you may customize the degree of glossiness that the flooring has, as there are high, medium, and low gloss finishes available for this flooring.
If you want your flooring to stand out from the crowd and have a more vintage appearance, distressed or hand scraped laminate flooring may be an option for you to consider.
The hand scraping procedure was originally solely used on hardwood floors, but it is increasingly being used on laminate flooring as well, to give it a more distinctive appearance.
Because of its ancient, vintage appearance, this type of flooring has been increasingly popular in recent years.
Laminate flooring with a textured or embossed surface is yet another popular type of laminate flooring available on the market.
As the name implies, this sort of laminate flooring has a textured appearance, and at first glance, it appears as if the pattern has been embossed into the panel.
When compared to ordinary embossed floors, this is merely a print of the grain and does not look exactly like regular embossing.
However, this print is a near match and requires less maintenance than regular embossed flooring.
Because of the numerous new and current breakthroughs in this field that occur practically every year, a wide variety of laminate flooring options are now accessible.
So keep an eye out for any new flooring types that could come along, and you might just come across something that suits your home and your style perfectly.
OUR FINAL THOUGHTS
There is no definitive answer to the question “how long does laminate flooring last,” but it is reasonable to expect this long-lasting flooring to last at the very least for a decade.
If you take proper care of your laminate flooring, it will provide you with many years of fun and satisfaction.
Always go for a laminate floor that is backed by a warranty and manufactured by a reputable manufacturer to avoid disappointment.
You’ll be able to enjoy your new flooring for many years to come if you use the proper installation technique and take good care of them.
Visit our website or give us a call now to learn more about our products and how we can help you find the ideal flooring for your home or business.
Frequently Ask Questions
In what ways does laminate flooring have its pros and disadvantages?
Flooring will not be able to be refinished. It is not recommended that laminate flooring be used by customers who plan to refinish their floors.
This is not natural.
Hard.
This is not a long-term solution.
Contain a number of potentially hazardous chemical substances.
Make some unwelcome noise with your microphone.
It is possible to be slippery.
When should laminate flooring be updated and how often should it be replaced?
Laminate Flooring Lifespan: 10-15 years for low-quality tile and installation; 20-30 years for high-quality tile and installation; and 30 years for improperly installed laminate flooring.
Which is more durable, laminate flooring or vinyl flooring?
Vinyl offers a longer lifespan and overall durability than laminate, and it is more cost-effective.
Don’t forget to take your financial situation into consideration.
Vinyl flooring can be more expensive than laminate flooring, especially if you go for premium vinyl flooring, which is more expensive than standard vinyl.