Exploring the pros and cons of laminate flooring in your kitchen reveals why this flooring option is a favorite for many homeowners. Its versatile design, affordability, and durability make it a strong contender for high-traffic areas like kitchens. However, knowing its limitations will help you make the best decision for your kitchen. So let’s learn about the pros and cons of laminate kitchen flooring.
What is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring is a synthetic flooring made up of wear, design, core, and underlayment layers bound together by high heat and pressure. The wear layer protects your floor against scratches, and the design layer recreates the look of more expensive flooring types, like wood or tile. Highly compressed wood fibers make up the core layer, and the underlayment is a soft layer to help with uneven subfloors.
Combining these four synthetic layers to create laminate flooring results in flooring that is both durable and affordable. While durability and affordability are just some of the general laminate flooring pros and cons you should take into consideration, let’s learn more about some of the top pros and cons of laminate flooring in the kitchen.
7 Kitchen Laminate Flooring Pros and Cons
Laminate Kitchen Flooring Pros
1. Appearance
Because of its design layer, laminate kitchen flooring is very versatile. It can be made to look like other types of flooring, like hardwood or tile, or made in a range of styles, colors, and patterns.
2. Affordable
Laminate flooring is one of the best kitchen flooring options as it’s more affordable than many other options. You can also save on installation, as many types of laminate do not need nailing or gluing and existing floors may not need prep work depending on the underlayment layer of the laminate flooring and the existing floor.
3. Durable
The clear wear layer that makes up the top layer of laminate flooring protects your floor from scratches, stains, and fading, making laminate flooring one of the most durable types of flooring for your kitchen.
4. Easy to Maintain
Another benefit of the wear layer is that it makes it easy to clean laminate flooring. Regular cleaning includes sweeping or dry mopping, and mild cleaning products can be used for a more intense cleaning when needed.
5. Easy to Install
Laminate flooring is DIY friendly, though we recommend professional floor installation to not only extend the life of your floor, but to ensure that your product warranties remain valid.
Laminate Kitchen Flooring Cons
1. Can’t Be Refinished or Repaired
Laminate floors cannot be refinished or repaired. They must be replaced. We often recommend customers purchase extra pieces so that damaged pieces can be replaced as needed.
2. Not as Eco-Friendly as Some Other Flooring Types
If you want to choose an eco-friendly flooring option, laminate is probably not going to be your top choice. Its wear layer contains plastic, making it harder to decompose in landfills. Additionally, some laminate flooring is made with chemicals that can release VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. While materials made with VOCs are considered safe to be used in your home, it may not be great for the environment in the long run.
Is Laminate Flooring Waterproof?
Most laminate flooring, unfortunately, is not waterproof. Yet some brands falsely claim that they are. Fortunately, though, most laminate kitchen flooring is water-resistant. What’s the difference?
Water will never penetrate to the core of the flooring if the laminate kitchen flooring is waterproof. If it’s water-resistant, the top layer is highly resistant to moisture. So you have time to clean up a spill, but eventually, that moisture will soak through into the flooring.
If you want your laminate flooring to be waterproof, ask a trusted retailer about brands that sell waterproof laminate kitchen flooring or inquire about using polyurethane as a top coat or sealing the locking systems of the flooring.
How Long Does Laminate Kitchen Flooring Last?
The best laminate flooring for kitchens can last up to 30 years, though less expensive laminate and flooring that is not properly cared for may need to be replaced in as little as 10 years. High-quality laminate is made with a thicker core layer and a stronger wear layer, lending it to better durability.
Many people love laminate kitchen flooring for its ease as a DIY project, but when the right tools and techniques are used to lay laminate flooring, its lifetime can be extended. When laminate flooring is improperly installed, you may notice gaps, uneven surfaces, poor moisture resistance, or warping floors.
Knowing the best way to clean your floors can also extend the life of your floors. Regular cleaning and deep cleaning with appropriate cleaning products and tools ensure that your floor looks its best for years to come.
You know it’s time to replace your laminate kitchen flooring when there is visible damage, like scratches, peeling, warping, or buckling. Water damage and structural issues, like gaps and creaking, are also signs it’s time to refresh your flooring.
With the right laminate flooring and a commitment to regular upkeep, your kitchen floors can stay beautiful and functional for many years. Prioritize quality materials and installation techniques to maximize the lifespan of your laminate flooring, ensuring a smart investment for your home.
Is Laminate Flooring Better Than Vinyl for Kitchens?
Both laminate and vinyl are popular kitchen flooring options, as they are more affordable and durable than other common flooring options. In fact, many of the laminate flooring in the kitchen pros and cons we’ve discussed also apply to luxury vinyl tile (LVT) in the kitchen.
LVT is one of the best kitchen flooring options because it comes in a variety of sizes, can be designed to fit many aesthetics, and comes in a variety of colors, making its hardwood and tile designs look more realistic and natural. LVT is easy to maintain, a need for any kitchen, and is resilient to both sun exposure and high traffic areas.
When choosing between laminate and vinyl flooring for your kitchen, both options offer durability, affordability, and style versatility. Your decision should come down to the specific needs of your space and your aesthetic preferences. Whichever you choose, you’ll be investing in a quality flooring solution that’s built to last.
What is the Best Flooring for Kitchens?
There is not one “best” flooring for kitchens, but laminate is a popular option for many reasons. Its multiple layers, including its top wear layer, make it scratch- and stain-resistant, a good choice for rooms like your kitchen. It’s also easy to clean. So if a spill happens, you don’t have to worry about blotting or rubbing it in. If you have a towel and a mild cleaner, the clean up is easy.
Laminate kitchen flooring is not only durable, it’s affordable. Though it is less expensive than solid hardwood and engineered hardwood, laminate flooring can provide the look of more expensive flooring options because of its design layer.
While no single flooring is perfect for every kitchen, laminate stands out for its practicality and style. Its scratch-resistant surface and easy-clean design make it ideal for a kitchen.
Considering the laminate flooring in the kitchen pros and cons, it’s clear that this type of flooring offers a great balance of style, durability, and cost-effectiveness for busy households. While it has a few limitations, like being less eco-friendly and lacking refinishing options, its benefits often outweigh the drawbacks.
Stop by our Wexford, PA showroom to discuss laminate flooring in your kitchen pros and cons with our flooring experts, or contact us to learn more. Plus, don’t forget to take advantage of our free in-home measurements to make your flooring project as smooth as possible. Floor Concepts provides local flooring solutions to greater Pittsburgh, PA and the North Hills area. Get in touch with us today!
