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. If you are looking for cheap laminate wood flooring, you want the high-end look of wood without the high-end price tag. But is it the right choice for your specific project?
Laminate Flooring: Fast Facts
- Best For: Living rooms, bedrooms, and dry areas on a budget.
- Water Resistance: Low. Laminate is not waterproof and can swell if slightly wet for a sustained period of time.
- Durability: High scratch resistance, but cannot be refinished.
- Alternative: Consider Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) for 100% waterproof protection.
Whether you are shopping online for nationwide shipping or visiting one of our three locations, we make it easy to find high-quality floors that keep you under budget. Here are the top 5 things you need to know before you buy.
1. What is laminate wood flooring?
Simply put, laminate wood flooring is a synthetic product made to mimic the appearance of real wood. It consists of several layers: a wear layer (the tough finish), a photographic image layer, an HDF core, and a balancing backing layer. While it looks like wood, it’s actually a "picture" of wood protected by a durable coating.
The HDF core is made from softwood fibers combined with wax and resin. While this makes it sturdy, those fibers act like a sponge when exposed to moisture. If you want the beauty of real timber with more moisture resistance, you might prefer engineered hardwood floors which use a layered wood construction. For a more in-depth answer visit our blog: what is laminate flooring.
Laminate was the king of rental homes before LVP became affordable. It offered an inexpensive option that withstood high traffic. Even in lower-quality laminates, the durability far exceeded carpet. If you are looking for that expansive, modern look, check out our guide on affordable wide plank flooring solutions for all budgets. Just remember: because it's made of recycled hardwood fibers, water is its arch-enemy.
2. Should I buy cheap laminate wood flooring for my home?
If you’re asking for our opinion, we’d say: it depends on the room! Cheap laminate wood flooring is an excellent choice for a living room, dining space, or home office. It provides a beautiful, seamless look at a fraction of the cost of solid wood.
However, if you have a busy household with spills and "accidents," you might want to look at our luxury vinyl plank floors. We carry cheap vinyl plank deals from COREtec, Shaw floors, and Mohawk that offer the same wood look with total waterproof security.
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!
