The Laminate flooring has the several thin layers of material pressed all together strongly, it has a printed paper layer on the top or face that is covered by a protective clear coat. The best quality laminate flooring can last for more than 2 decades, however it will not outlive a hardwood floor. The laminate flooring has many layers as mentioned above and each layer has its own work to do such as:
- Back Layer: This layer is responsible for protecting the plank against all kinds of moisture, and balances the floor as well.
- Core Layer: This layer is above the back layer which is durable and has the high-density board that is required to protect it from indentations and moisture.
- Design Layer: The design layer is kept above the core layer, it has a high-resolution photograph meant for the floor’s surface appearance or it has the face of the flooring.
- Wear Layer: This is the top layer of the floring that is a clear layer and is made of aluminum oxide, who's work is to protect the flooring against fading, stains, and all kinds of surface burns.
Expected Life Span & Benefits Of Laminate Flooring
The expected life span as well as the benefits of laminate flooring are mntioned below:
Life Span
The expected average lifespan of the laminate flooring is between 15 and 25 years depending on the area where its used, but it can have minimum life span of 10 years and maximum of about 30 years. This difference in life expectancy totally depends on the quality of the Laminate flooring, whether it was properly installed according to the instructions and the amount of daily traffic it receives. However, improper maintenance like using harsh cleaners or failing to wipe up spills, will also reduce the floor's life or longevity. The hardwood flooring has much more life span than the Laminate flooring , which can be around 75 years if properly maintained as well as installed. The laminate flooring can also cannot be sanded and refinished like wooden flooring. Once the top layer wears away, it need to be replaced as soon as possible.
Benefits
Besides the layers of laminate flooring it also has some useful benefits like:
- Installation Cost: The average installation cost of the laminate flooring is 50 percent less than hardwood flooring.
- Easy To Clean: It is very easy to clean the flooring, it can simply wipe with a damp cloth.
- Durable And Resists Scratches: The laminate flooring is made from the pressed wood which makes it durable and resists scratches.