Laminate flooring is great, but it’s certainly not perfect. You’d be hard-pressed to find a flooring material that would. If you’re looking to make an informed decision about your next flooring material, you need to consider all aspects of laminate, information that can be difficult to come by during an intense sales pitch.
Doesn’t look like real wood
Laminate is not real wood, but is designed to replicate the grain and texture of hardwood. Because it is a synthetic product, laminate will not have the individuality of a natural hardwood, and the boards may be different in size and shape thanks to the hardwood boards making the pattern distinctive.
Laminate flooring is installed using interlocking pieces that are wider than individual hardwood boards. This means that the stitching is different in most cases. The grain of laminate flooring is artificially created, so it also lacks individuality. The grains tend to repeat over and over again as there are only a limited number of patterns printed on various laminate flooring boards.
If the artificial nature of laminate flooring bothers you, you should investigate the high-end market for the material. At the top of the laminate spectrum, much more care is taken to create a look that matches not only the colors and grain of the hardwood, but also the feel and visual appeal. You may be surprised at what manufacturers can do.
it splinters
Laminate is made up of many layers sealed together with the top layers that create the wood pattern and protective layer. Hardwood is a solid plank with essentially the same material throughout, but the laminate only has color on part of the plank. When something hits the laminate floor at the wrong angle or with some force, the damaged part of the floor can splinter.
When laminate chips, the top layers peel off leaving a small, often white, hole behind. The lighter portion, often white, are the exposed layers below the color potion. If you have a darker laminate, this light portion is very visible. With hardwood, you’ll at least be able to finish the area, but you can’t restore the laminate.
Of course, in order to chip laminate, you have to be pretty hard on the ground, as it is a nearly indestructible material. But when it happens, there aren’t many options available. You may be able to color in the chip with a dark marker and let it go. However, if the chip is in the right area, a rug could completely hide it. Your last option would be to pull out the affected board and replace it. If done carefully, this will completely remove the chip and leave no one else in the loop.
My back hurts
When you’re used to the carpet cushion, any hard material such as laminate, stone, tile, or hardwood will give your back and legs a little more exercise. By installing one of these materials, you have effectively removed the half inch of padding that used to be under your feet and put the product directly onto the hard surface below.
Your floor will be beautiful, but it can be hard on your back, especially if your posture is poor. To help with back pain caused by hard floors, try adding a cushion in a different way.
Wear house shoes: Instead of going barefoot, put on a pair of house shoes with rubber or thicker soles.
Stand up straight – Slouching over any surface is sure to hurt your back, but hard surfaces make the pain more noticeable faster. Stand up straight to help your back withstand the pressure.
Sit down: Instead of standing or walking around your house, set up comfortable chairs and stools so you can sit while you sort through the mail, jot down a shopping list, and complete the myriad small tasks you normally do standing up.
