
Quality home flooring options
Many of the houses being refurbished or remodeled today are choosing laminate flooring like wood flooring to bring the authentic look back with the conveniences of today’s materials. With so many laminate flooring ideas available today, it is easy to see why laminate flooring has become a popular choice, especially when incorporating the cost.
Even with the growing popularity of laminate flooring, there are still concerns and questions from those who haven’t taken the plunge with this material. A popular question, and somewhat confusing by many why it is a concern is, “Does laminate flooring devalue a home?”. It is difficult to say what type of flooring, is the best values-add to a home. What is clear for sure is that buyers prefer hardwood flooring over carpeting, and there is slight difference in the price and ROI between engineered hardwood and actual hardwood.
Laminate flooring though, is a different breed. It is easy cleaning and scratch-resistant. It can be installed where natural hardwood can’t be installed, and it is fifty percent cheaper, which is why it won’t be a value-add for reselling a home.
However, while laminate flooring mimics hardwood, it isn’t hardwood! If you’re choosing what to install in a high-traffic zone, laminate isn’t the way to go. It will wear and tear like hardwood, but you can’t sand it and refinish is like hardwood flooring. To get the best ROI possible in flooring, go with actual hardwood flooring.
Is laminate waterproof?
Laminate flooring has one layer of moisture-resistant element, making it a water resistant flooring from the top to bottom. Where liquid is spilled, laminate flooring is treated so that it can’s seep through to the bottom where it interlocks. This stops the potential for mildew or mold from growing under the flooring.
However, if your home develops a leak under the laminate flooring, to make laminate flooring waterproof from the bottom, it needs a vapor barrier installed before the laminate flooring is installed.
Can you mop laminate flooring?
No, water and wood are not meant to be together. Here are the recommended steps for cleaning your laminate flooring:
- Keep steam cleaners and wet mops away from laminate flooring. They can cause irreversible damage to the flooring.
- Blot pills with a damp cloth as soon as they occur.
- For tough spots, like ink, lipstick, oil, paint, or tar, use a clean white cloth with acetone nail polish remover to remove the mark. Then wipe it dry with another clean white cloth, making sure no residue of acetone nail polish remover is left.
- Dust, sweep, or vacuum using a hard floor attachment without the rug beater on a regular basis. This will keep dirt and grit from accumulating that dulls and scratches laminate flooring.
- Using products specified for laminate flooring for periodic cleaning.
- Do not use oil-soap detergent, soap, or water to wash or wet mop laminate flooring. This will cause the floor to delaminate, swell, and warm as well as separate the joints. It will also void the warranty.
- Avoid using abrasive cleaners, chlorinated cleaners, strong ammoniated, or steel wool to clean laminate flooring.
- Do not use buff or polish by machine.
- To remove candle wax or gum, place ice over the area to harden it, then scrape with a plastic scraper gently. Then wipe clean with a clean damp cloth.
How do you clean laminate flooring naturally?
When you have the right mop and products, cleaning laminate flooring is easy! Get a microfiber mop and purchase a ready-made laminate flooring cleaner or make your own with this recipe by pouring the following three ingredients into a spray bottle:
- 3 parts water
- 1 part vinegar
- 1 squirt of basic liquid dish detergent
Now follow these easy steps:
- With microfiber mop, dry mop, or vacuum. This will get the dust bunnies, hair tumbleweeds, and other large items.
- Using water and the cleaner, dampen the microfiber pad and mop the laminate flooring.
- When done, rinse the microfiber pad thoroughly and let dry.

What are the pros and cons of laminate flooring?
Any flooring material you choose will have pros and cons, and laminate flooring isn’t any different. With laminate flooring and installation, you’ll find the following pros:
- Installation is easy
- Minimal maintenance required
- Low cost
- Moisture-resistant from the top
- Available in a hardwood or tile look-a-like
With these benefits, what could con could laminate flooring have? A few, read on to find out:
- Cannot be sanded or refinished
- Slippery.
- The wrong color and style can look fake
- No value-add to the real estate
Laminate flooring can be a beautiful addition to any room in your home, if you’re planning on living there for a while. If you’re fixing a house up to resell, laminate flooring may not be the way to go if you’re hoping to get your money back. It won’t necessarily lower the value, but it isn’t a value-add either. Homes with young children and a lot of foot traffic should avoid laminate flooring as well. Need laminate flooring for your home in Branford, CT? Call 203-390-7399 today.