So much has changed in laminate flooring over the last few years. Some changes are very positive, and some not so.
First, let me state categorically that I can buy cheap product and sell it like everyone else ($.39, $.79, $.99, etc. per square foot) but I choose not to because my clients are too important to me. I’m not in business to do a disservice to my customers.
Let’s get the “not so” out of the way: Cheap laminate flooring. Products advertised under $1.50 per square foot (material only sale prices – not retail) are likely to have at least some of the following faults:
Don’t be afraid to spend $7 - $8 on a good laminate floor (On Sale installed price). You will reap years of enjoyment and service out of a good floor, as opposed to years of kicking yourself for buying the cheap stuff.
As always, if you have a question ~ just write to me.
First, let me state categorically that I can buy cheap product and sell it like everyone else ($.39, $.79, $.99, etc. per square foot) but I choose not to because my clients are too important to me. I’m not in business to do a disservice to my customers.
Let’s get the “not so” out of the way: Cheap laminate flooring. Products advertised under $1.50 per square foot (material only sale prices – not retail) are likely to have at least some of the following faults:
- Obscure imports (China, etc.) generally can’t be re-ordered, should you need some additional material for a repair. Companies bring in whatever they can buy cheap and when it’s gone, it’s gone – and you could be stuck.
- Obscure imports (China, etc.) generally don’t have matching accessories available – so you’ll end up hunting down a transition strip that may or may not match to finish your job.
- Obscure imports (China, etc.). Who is going to help if there’s a problem with the actual product? Who is actually going to support the warranty? Just because a salesperson says the product is trouble free, doesn’t mean it’s true.
- Cheap products don’t have the structural strength in the core and locking system, so typically after a period of time (6-months to a couple of years) you start to get gapping in the boards – or worse, the boards can come apart.
- Cheap products are more likely to chip and ding because the core is not as dense and the laminate is not processed on to the core properly.
- Individual boards (planks) that show each board as a separate piece (just like real wood flooring).
- Beveling of these planks: from small micro bevels to the more rustic styles of deeper bevels.
- French bleed type of bevels where it looks like the stain collects at the board edge and highlights it.
- Hand scraped textures (very popular in wood flooring) or undulations in the plank.
- Heavy textures not previously available.
- Glossy furniture finishes for a more formal look.
Don’t be afraid to spend $7 - $8 on a good laminate floor (On Sale installed price). You will reap years of enjoyment and service out of a good floor, as opposed to years of kicking yourself for buying the cheap stuff.
As always, if you have a question ~ just write to me.