Laminate flooring quality and price vary greatly. There are so many products on the market today, each claiming to be the best due to some specialized manufacturing method or surface finish, that it becomes difficult to ascertain which floor is best suited to your specific needs. The information contained in these pages is intended to give you the background information you need to find the right floor at the right price. For sure, there are many aspects that affect suitability that you have not considered and we discuss them here.
Laminate flooring is a great alternative to hardwood floors. Laminate floors are cheaper than hardwood, more durable and easier to maintain. Due to their increased popularity over the past few years, there has been an explosion of new styles and many more manufacturers have now entered the market. Prices range from $0.89c to $4 an s/f and quality vary according to price.
Ultimately your decision on which laminate to purchase will come down to price vs quality and this decision is affected by the amount of foot traffic in your home, in which rooms the flooring will be installed and how long you intend on staying in your current home.
Active households, where a floor is subject to a high level of wear and tear require a better quality floor, while a cheaper floor could surface for households with less foot traffic. Additionally, certain areas of your home receive more traffic than others. Laminate flooring manufacturers grade their floors according to 3 levels of foot traffic: moderate traffic, general traffic and heavy traffic. Bedrooms are considered moderate traffic areas, while dining rooms, living rooms and entrance ways are classified as general or heavy traffic areas. This means that you do not need the same quality floor for all areas of your home.