Deciding to renovate your home is a huge step, and at Really Cheap Floors, the Cook family has been helping folks navigate that process for over 50 years. Our main goal is ensuring you get the look you love at a price that keeps you under budget. Cheap laminate flooring has some specific features that are important to consider. Here are the top 5 things you need to know before you buy laminate wood flooring. Whether you are shopping online for nationwide shipping or visiting one of our three locations, we make it easy to find high-quality floors without the high-end price tag.
1. What is laminate wood flooring?
Simply put, laminate wood flooring is just laminate flooring that is made to look like hardwood. You get a similar look to a hardwood floor, but minus the cost of hardwood. Laminate flooring consists of a few layers: a wear layer or finish layer on top, a core layer, and a bottom layer. The main component to look at is its HDF core.
The HDF core is made from softwood fibers that are broken down, combined with wax and a resin binder, and formed into panels using heat and pressure. For a more in-depth answer visit our blog: what is laminate flooring.
Laminate flooring was very popular in rental homes before LVP flooring became affordable. It offered an inexpensive option that withstood the high traffic and abuse of the property management industry. Even in the lower quality laminates, their durability far exceeded carpet or vinyl tiles, making it a top choice for landlords and the DIY segment. If you are looking for that expansive, modern look, check out our guide on affordable wide plank flooring solutions for all budgets. Having a wide plank laminate floor made of recycled hardwood fibers means water is an arch-enemy. Laminate floors are not waterproof. Treat laminate like traditional solid hardwood—don’t install it in high-humidity areas.
2. Should I buy cheap laminate wood flooring for my home?
If you’re asking for our opinion, we’d say maybe! Cheap laminate wood flooring gives you a similar look to what a solid wood floor has. A living room or dining space can look great when you choose laminate wood flooring. However, if you’re looking for great-looking flooring that is durable, waterproof, and pet-proof, you’ll want to shop our luxury vinyl plank floors for some cheap vinyl plank deals from COREtec, Shaw floors, and Mohawk.
3. Does laminate wood flooring have to be cleaned a certain way?
Not at all. You can still use Pine-Sol or whatever cleaner you usually use on your floors. You will be able to sweep and mop cheap laminate wood flooring the same way you would tile. You can even use a vacuum to pick up any dirt instead of sweeping it. People are able to save money on cleaning supplies because you won’t have to invest in expensive, specialized cleaners.
Just a heads up: stay away from oils, waxes, or furniture sprays. Straight ammonia cleaners or heavy alkaline products are a no-no as well. If a cleaner is advertised as abrasive, it's best to skip it so we don't hurt the finish on your new floors.
4. Are laminate floors pet and kid friendly?
It is definitely better than carpet when it comes to pets. You don’t have to worry about fur settling into the fibers, and it’s much easier to clean up accidents on a hard surface. However, while laminate claims water resistance, it isn't waterproof. If a pet has an accident while you're out, you could find the spot ruined by buckling or bubbling. Unlike solid hardwood, you cannot refinish laminate. If you have a busy house with pets and kids, luxury vinyl plank is often a better, cheaper alternative to hardwood because of its waterproof construction.
5. Where can I get the best deal on laminate wood flooring?
Most online and local flooring stores stock laminate. However, at Really Cheap Floors, we believe laminate is the wood-look flooring of the past. Since LVP is priced similarly and offers a total waterproof guarantee, it’s hard to recommend laminate for most modern homes. Plus, with our 3 physical locations and our monthly warehouse sale in Murphy, NC, we offer deals that big-box stores just can't match. We even offer four free samples so you can see the quality for yourself before you buy.
Learn more about LVP in our blog What is Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring? where we break down the construction and the supply chain origins.
Are there Cheaper and Better Options than Laminate Flooring?
Our favorite cheap laminate wood flooring alternative is Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP). LVP is the perfect fit for almost any space and has effectively taken over the budget flooring market. Because it is waterproof, it works in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements where laminate might fail.
Rigid core materials have taken the lion's share of the market for a reason—they offer the look of real wood with none of the maintenance headaches. Whether you want to buy over the phone, ship to your door, or pick up in-store, we have the best value in America. Hands down. So start browsing our products and plan your next renovation today!
