How Long Does Laminate Flooring Last? What to Know Before Installing or Replacing Your Flooring
Laminate wood flooring is cost-effective, easy to install, and can last decades
Whether your home already has laminate wood flooring or you’re considering installing new laminate floors, the longevity of that flooring is most likely a priority—especially if little ones and pets will be playing on your new floor. Here’s what you need to know about how long laminate flooring lasts, from life span factors to how you can help it last longer, and tips for knowing when to replace your laminate floors.
What Is Laminate Flooring?
While hardwood floors consist of solid, natural hardwoods, laminate flooring is a less expensive and manufactured alternative that looks very similar. You can probably tell a visual difference up close, but newer and top-quality laminate flooring comes in a variety of colors and patterns that make it look very close to natural wood.
Many people choose laminate over hardwood for budget reasons, because it’s easier to install, lasts a long time for the cost, is easy to care for, and may hold up better in homes with pets or radiant heating under the floors.
How Long Does Laminate Flooring Last?
The life span of laminate flooring depends on a few factors, but generally, you can expect it to last between 10 and 30 years. As with most other products, high-quality materials installed by experts will last much longer, and proper care will increase its life.
When comparing laminate and hardwood flooring, laminate is a great choice because of its overall cost, ease of installation, and longevity; however, you cannot repair or refinish it like you can with traditional hardwood flooring. So, to get the best value, it’s important to choose a high-quality product, hire a flooring pro to install it correctly, and take good care of it so it lasts longer.
Factors That Determine How Long Laminate Flooring Lasts
Durable, versatile, beautiful, and affordable—it’s no wonder laminate wood flooring is a popular choice with consumers. But you have to make smart choices and take some maintenance steps to reap all the rewards. The following are more details about what makes laminate wood flooring last longer.
Laminate Flooring Quality
Many manufacturers offer a variety of colors, patterns, and quality. When shopping for laminate, make sure you’re choosing high-quality products from trusted manufacturers. Ask about the thickness of the laminate, the thickness and durability of the protective coating, manufacturer warranties, and other details to ensure you’re buying a product that offers lasting value.
Installation Quality
Remember that the quality of the installation is a high priority, so keep that in mind when budgeting for laminate flooring installation costs. If the installation isn’t to manufacturer specifications, then even the most durable, high-value laminate flooring won’t last.
Hire a skilled, local laminate floor installer who has experience with the brand and type of laminate you’ve purchased and who will do the work the way the manufacturer recommends. They should also offer written labor warranties on top of manufacturer product warranties.
Location
Even though quality laminate is meant to wear well no matter where you put it, you’ll get the longest life span from laminate installed in bedrooms and lower-traffic areas.
Entryways and hallways that get a lot of traffic may be too high-wear for laminate flooring, so consider area rugs and other protective measures. Likewise, traditional laminate flooring for kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, basements, and other damp areas, may not be the best choice, as water can damage the floors. Before you purchase your materials, talk with your flooring expert about which laminate best fits your needs.
Regular Cleaning
Frequent cleaning removes larger dirt and debris along with grains of sand and dust that can leave scratches and etch the protective coating. Regular sweeping, dust mopping with a microfiber mop, and damp mopping remove dirt and dust so it doesn’t get ground into the surface.
Protection
How proactively you protect your flooring can determine how long it lasts. Do you allow shoes in your home? Do you use area rugs and runners in high-traffic areas and protective furniture feet under sofas and chairs? Think about how you use your flooring and where the most wear happens, then take steps to protect those areas.
Water Damage
Water is the enemy of laminate wood floors because water can seep through seams and scratches in the protective coating and get inside and under the boards, causing them to swell, peel, warp, buckle, bubble, and even mold. Think twice before installing traditional laminate wood flooring in entryways, bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and areas that frequently become wet. If you want continuity of flooring or laminate in these areas, consider waterproof laminate options.
Surface Damage
Scratches do more than dull the floor finish—they also leave the surface vulnerable to water, which can seep in and cause damage inside the layers. Unlike natural wood flooring, laminate cannot be refinished, sealed, or repaired once scratched or damaged.
Household Activities
Kids and pets may make our lives fuller, but they also can make a mess (think: scratches, spills, and wear from feet and toys). If your home is busy and active, your laminate probably won’t last as long as it would in a low-traffic, adult-only home. That doesn’t make it a poor choice; it just means you’ll need to double down on quality, prevention, and maintenance.
How to Extend Your Laminate Flooring’s Life Span
There are several steps you can take to help laminate wood flooring last longer and look better during its lifetime.
Invest in Quality Products
High-quality laminate flooring made by a quality manufacturer will almost surely last longer than lower-quality products. Most will come with warranties, too, which can help protect your investment. Along with quality brands, choose thicker laminate flooring with thicker seal coating on top since thickness can indicate quality and length of wear.
Insist on Quality Installation
DIY laminate flooring installation can save money on labor, but an incorrect installation can end up costing you more if you have to replace your flooring sooner. The same goes for hiring an inexperienced installer instead of a licensed flooring pro who follows manufacturer installation recommendations to the letter. If you're investing in quality products and expecting to keep your laminate flooring for a long time, consider spending more and hiring a great installer who offers experience and warranties.
Clean It Correctly
Soft brooms, soft-bristled vacuum attachments instead of beater brushes, and dust mops will be your best friends when you have laminate flooring. You must regularly clean laminate floors to remove dirt and debris. This protects the surface from becoming scratched and losing its water resistance and shine.
You can’t buff out scratches, so be sure the method you use to remove scratchy dust and debris won’t scuff the flooring. When damp mopping, use a manufacturer-recommended cleanser that doesn’t require added water. Avoid spray mops, steam cleaners, and acidic cleansers like ammonia and vinegar, which can destroy the protective coating.
Clean up any messes right away. Never let water or liquids sit on the flooring, use ice and a plastic scraper to remove wax or gum, and only use damp cleaning cloths.
Keep It Dry
Avoid soaking the flooring, since sitting water can cause buckling and warping. This goes for daily use as well as mopping. Mop up water and other liquid right away so the floor is dry to the touch. Use floor mats near sinks or other wet places, and replace them with dry mats when they get wet.
If your home floods, a large amount of water spills, or water is potentially getting underneath the flooring, have a flooring pro check it immediately and dry it thoroughly. Water can cause visible and irreparable damage that will require replacement.
If you want laminate in your kitchen, bathrooms, or other potentially wet areas, consider buying waterproof laminate, which can stand up to water.
Prevent Scratches
All laminate flooring has a printed and embossed design covered in a clear, protective coating. This coating protects against water damage, fading, and wear. However, scratches in the coating are susceptible to water damage. You'll have to replace the damaged areas since there’s no way to recoat or refinish the laminate.
Along with using soft-bristled brooms and brushes, consider instituting a no-shoes policy, keeping pets’ nails trimmed short, and cleaning the floor regularly.
Use Area Rugs
High-traffic areas will become scratched and worn over time, even if you insist on removing shoes and keeping the floors clean. Prolong flooring life by using area rugs, carpeted runners, and floor mats to protect against foot traffic.
Use Furniture Sliders or Pads
Couches, chairs, coffee tables, and other furniture can leave scratches and dents where the legs rest and slide against laminate flooring. Use soft furniture sliders or foot pads to protect against damage.
Replace Damaged Boards
While damage can’t be buffed out, sanded, or repaired, you can replace damaged boards. It’s always smart to buy more flooring than you need during installation so you can replace boards and sections that become damaged. That way, you can stretch out the lifetime of your entire floor, even if a small area sustains water damage, a big scratch or dent, gapping between boards, or other issues. Laminate flooring repair costs vary, so speak with a laminate flooring installer about replacement details.
Do You Need New Laminate Flooring?
Sometimes, it’s obvious that you need new flooring. Other times, it can be a guessing game. Watch for these signs that it’s time to replace your laminate flooring:
Since you can’t refinish laminate flooring, any surface damage, including water damage, splitting, cracking, peeling, buckling, bubbling, or discoloration, is a major sign that it’s time to replace. Whether you replace the whole floor or the affected boards is up to you.
Moldy or mildew smells can indicate water damage in or under the planks; replacing the damaged boards or the entire floor is the only way to eliminate this.
Gaps between laminate wood boards happen due to large temperature swings, poor installation, the presence of water, and other damage. If the damage is only in a few areas, you may be able to replace those boards with tight-fitting ones.
Creaking, cracking, and groaning noises when you walk on your floors can indicate aging or structural breakdown of the flooring. You may have some time, but noisy floors are a warning sign you should start planning a replacement.