Bathroom Laminate Flooring: Advantages and Disadvantages

Bathroom laminate flooring may be a good option for your home. Read on to learn about the pros and cons.

Price

Laminate flooring is a much more affordable choice for a bathroom than other materials like wood or even tile. You can usually purchase laminate flooring for as low as $1.50 per square foot. Traditional hardwood flooring can cost 3 to 4 times as much.

Installation

Laminate flooring can be placed on any type of surface, making installation quick and easy. Most of the time, you can use a simple adhesive or glue to secure the flooring.

Lifetime

Laminate flooring is ideal for areas that see a lot of traffic. It doesn’t show wear as quickly as hardwood does, and cleaning is much easier. While hardwood requires oil and frequent cleaning by hand, laminate just needs a broom and a mop. It’s hard to damage laminate flooring, which makes it good for households with small children or pets. A laminate floor won’t show scuffs and scratches. You won’t need to worry about buffing it out every few years.

Designs

While laminate flooring is available in a wide variety of design options, many brands manufacture styles that simulate other materials, like wood and stone. Ultimately, however, you are limited by what stores carry. Hardwood flooring, on the other hand, can be customized. You can choose the wood type, color, stain and grain. You can also change its look after installation through sanding and staining. With laminate, you are stuck with what you have, and new home décor may mean the entire floor needs to be replaced.

Moisture

Laminate flooring is naturally moisture-proof, but it offers little protection for the flooring underneath. The adhesive used can also be affected by moisture causing the flooring to warp or pop. Experts may suggest using a different type of flooring in a bathroom.

Sound

To some people, the sound created from walking on a laminate floor can be a nuisance. It makes a hollow sound, or can sound sticky if installed with air bubbles underneath. If this is a problem for you, consider adding an acoustic underlay. This will help to cut back on that awkward hollowness that laminate puts off. Hardwood floors won’t have this hollow sound.

Resale Value

You will see a greater resale value in a home with laminate flooring, but remember that people will know it’s not real hardwood. Having traditional hardwood will increase the value of the home even more.