How Long Does Laminate Flooring Last

Purchasing new flooring comes with a lot of questions. Many homeowners want a cheap affordable option that also looks nice. Homeowners do not want something cheap that also breaks down. Finding the right balance of laminate flooring, pricing, and longevity can be very frustrating. Depending on where you live, some have better options for flooring than others. How long does laminate flooring last? When installed properly, a quality laminate floor can last 15 to 30 years but the average is 10 years.

Let’s take a look below at how we can get the most out of our laminate floors.

Extend The Life Of Your Floor

There are many obvious ways to keep your floor looking nice. Each floor type has a different requirement based on the foot traffic it receives. Let’s explore the best ways to increase your floors longevity.

• Clean the floors properly-make sure stains, dirt, and debris are removed daily.
• Products that are specific to laminate floors must be used-laminate floors have cleaning products made to keep them glossy and protected. Use them above any other products.
• Use a damp mop or cloth to clean up spills once they happen -You do not want a bunch of water seeping into the flooring crevices. Do not let spilled liquids sit too long on the floor.
• Immediately replace warped or damaged wood planks -This keeps you from having bigger issues down the road.
• Use padding under your furniture legs to protect the floor from scrapes and damage.
• Never polish or buff your laminate floors. This will cause substantial damage.
• Once in a while, use a steam mop for a very deep clean.
• Avoid using steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong ammoniated or chlorinated cleaners.

Following these cleaning pieces of advice allows you to extend the life of your laminate floors.

How Much Does It Cost

Laminate flooring is a rather inexpensive way to boost the look of the interior of your home. The average cost to install laminate flooring is clearly cheaper than installing hardwood floors. Installing a laminate floor can cost an average of $8 to $15 per square foot for labor and materials. Depending on the thickness of the floor that you choose, you can pay $2 to $6 per square foot.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Maybe you have a tile floor and don’t want to dig up the tile. It is difficult and a mess! However, you can lay vinyl flooring over the tile or any other type of flooring. Keep in mind that there are a few things you want to look out for to make sure it is done correctly.

While checking out the flooring in other rooms of your house, make sure that there is no mold on the carpet. If you see mold, find out where it is coming from and then use vinegar and baking soda, anti-fungal cleaner, or bleach.  Use bleach as a last resort as it can bleach the carpet.

Lastly, you may hear the rain outside and notice water leaking down from the ceiling. If your roof leaks in heavy rain, locate and identify the leak, assemble the materials needed, and install the replacement pieces.

When Do I Call A Professional

For a project like a floor installation, it is a great idea to contact a local professional contractor. Tearing up the old floor and purchasing the tools to install the new floor can be a bigger task than expected. Professional contractors have all of the tools and the experience to install the floor properly. You will save time and money by hiring someone who knows what they are doing.

Before taking on this project, reach out to your local home inspection team. They might find some other projects in the home that need repair prior to putting down a nice new floor. In addition, a home inspection team can recommend a reputable local professional contractor, so that you don’t hire the wrong person.

Conclusion

Call your local home inspection team to inspect your flooring and other potential projects. Installing new floors or upgrading current floors is a huge investment that will give you increased value to your home. If the project is not done correctly, your home value could be affected. A professional contractor can spot the imperfections in the floors and knows how to repair or replace the laminate flooring properly. You wouldn’t want to live in a home that could be a safety issue.  Colorado Inspection Team can take a look at your flooring during a home inspection in Castlerock, CO, and the Front Range areas.