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If you’re thinking about installing laminate floors in your kitchen, there are some key factors to consider before making the decision. Keep reading to learn all about the pros and cons of this type of flooring as well as other tips on how to make your kitchen more functional!
Pros of Laminate Flooring in the Kitchen
Appearance
With so many colors, textures, and patterns available from various laminate wood companies, one of the most appealing benefits to this type of flooring is that no two pieces look alike. You no longer need to worry about staining your floors a specific color; you can simply browse through hundreds of different styles and match them with your home décor.
You can select from sleek, modern-looking flooring as well as rustic or antique-looking options. In addition to traditional fake wood looks, some manufacturers offer faux stone and metal designs for private homes with specific tastes.
Less Expensive
When it comes to affordability, laminate seems the perfect choice for the kitchen. One of the reasons is the range of prices available. When you compare the prices of various options, it quickly becomes clear how much more expensive hardwood can be. For this reason alone, many buyers hesitate when considering what option to go with for their kitchen.
Laminate flooring offers savings on installation, too. Many types have no nailing, gluing, or stapling required. Instead, the laminate tiles or planks snap together to form a floating floor. In many cases, you don’t have to do anything to the existing kitchen floor; you can simply install your laminate on top.
Durability
The top layer on laminate flooring is a clear wear layer that helps protect the floors against various staining and scratches. It also provides increased durability compared to other types of wood or vinyl floors, even in areas with heavy foot traffic like kitchens.
The wear layer of laminate flooring serves two purposes. Homeowners can easily sweep the floors using a broom and dustpan, which makes it easy to maintain. It also adds an element of sleekness in addition to providing a smooth surface for wiping up everyday kitchen spills with paper towels.
Less Defects
If you’re installing real flooring, variations in the pattern or color of individual pieces can create a less uniform look. Laminate is duplicated over and over on each piece, making it an attractive option for those who want to avoid imperfections.
You can find these pieces on the floor, but they will not always look like it. Homeowners have to try and compromise with their aesthetic expectations or pay more for replacement pieces that better suit them. This is not the case if you use laminate as there are many other options that mimic wood, marble, etc.
Laminate flooring offers realistic looks without the defects that can be found with natural materials. The consistency of looks and products means you won’t have to worry as much about where to place your furniture or worry about inconsistencies in pattern.
Easy Maintenance
The top wear layer of laminate flooring is smooth and provides an easy maintenance. You can easily sweep it regularly and use a damp mop for occasional deep cleans.
Ease of Installation
Laminate flooring is an easy-to-install indoor flooring material that doesn’t require much installation. It’s DIY friendly, and this means your kitchen won’t be out of commission for very long while the work is being done.
Cons of Laminate Flooring in the Kitchen
Possible Moisture Damage
One disadvantage of laminate in the kitchen is its susceptibility to damage based on exposure to moisture. If you spill liquid on your floor, be sure to wipe it off promptly. If liquid sits on the floor for a long time, it could warp or stain the surface.
You’ll find laminate flooring for any room of the house, with waterproof and water-resistant options available.
Can’t Be Refinished or Repaired
Once your laminate floors get old, you’ll have to replace them rather than refinish them. And since pop-together tiles or planks are assembled with a snap-together system, we recommend purchasing extra tiles or planks that will match the ones already on the floor.
Eco-Friendliness
If you’re committed to using environmentally friendly materials for your kitchen renovation, laminate may not be the best choice for you. Laminate flooring cannot easily degrade in landfills because of its wear layer which contains plastic.
Some laminate floor options are also made with formaldehyde, which may release toxic gases that can have adverse effects.
There have been recent updates to guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on reduced VOC content for laminate flooring. While this material is safe for use in your home, it isn’t great for the environment as a whole.
Some types of laminate flooring are more eco-friendly than other options, and you should carefully review the following items when deciding which to get:
- Avoid flooring made from non-renewable materials. Some types of wood receive sustainability certification qualification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), allowing you to be certain that you are making a sustainable choice in your home.
- When shopping for laminate flooring design, find out if the ink used to print the design is low-VOC.
- Opt for a laminate flooring product that does not require the use of glues or adhesives to install.
When you’re considering what type of flooring to put in a kitchen, this list may make you rule out laminate as an option. However, it could also give you the confidence to know that laminate will work for your needs and budget. We hope that we were able to help you out!
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