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 photo credit: Hendricks Photos

For many people, the cost of getting a solid wood floor installed in their home is out of their reach.  The answer to this problem is laminate flooring.  As the popularity of laminate flooring has increased over the years, more styles of laminate have started to appear.  Laminate is no longer restricted to a wooden effect and there are now even options for stone and tile-like appearance which can be a much cheaper but still durable addition to any kitchen.

Laminate flooring is made to look like wood or stone but is made from synthetic materials which are compressed between the decorative laminate overlay.  For this reason, it is much less expensive than solid wood and can be affordable for everyone, especially as it is easy to install and eliminates the need for professional installation.  Tongue and groove options can be clicked together rather like a jigsaw and there is no need for glue or nails.

Laminate flooring is great for people who want a light fresh feel to their homes.  For children they are perfect as they are so easy to maintain.  Any spillages can be cleaned instantly and for homes with pets there is no need to be spending endless hours vacuuming pet hairs from carpets as a simple sweep with a broom will pick up hairs easily.  Laminate floors are also made with a scratch resistant finish unlike solid wood floors which makes them much more durable.  A lot of manufacturers of laminate flooring will for this reason, offer five or ten year guarantees.

Another benefit of laminate flooring is the value that they can add to your home if you were to sell.  They look clean and modern to the prospective buyer and offer a definite advantage over homes with carpets.

Laminate flooring also has its disadvantages. Due to the nature of how it is made, and the fact that it is so hardwearing it is very noisy, especially if used in upper floors of a house.  There is underlay available which is meant to reduce the sound but it can still be a problem.  People have also complained that it can be quite cold and not as cosy as carpets but this can be rectified by placing a nice rug in the middle of the room.

So although it does have some disadvantages, the advantages are many.  For a stylish, affordable floor which will give your home that instant modern appeal, you cannot go wrong with a laminate floor.