About Wood Look Laminate Flooring

Wood look laminate flooring had an interesting and well-intended start. In the late 1970s, a Swedish company experimented with wood left over from projects, ultimately creating a usable floor that also looked good. Since then, technology has catapulted laminate flooring into millions of homes, offering a photorealistic faux wood flooring that stands up well to busy households.

What Is Wood Look Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring provides a white oak look throughout your home without putting a dent in your wallet, as laminate is ultimately a wood-look floor that’s cost-effective and durable. Featuring multiple layers, laminate has a core layer designed from strong plywood or fiberboard that serves as its base. 

Laminate flooring looks like wood thanks to an image layer, which features a high-resolution printed image of natural hardwood. A thin layer of plastic covers it all, protecting the planks from the everyday wear and tear of your household. 

Appearance

Now, you might be thinking that even though you’re looking for the appeal of solid hardwood without the price tag, you don't want obviously faux wood flooring. You’re still paying for new flooring and you want those floors to stun! Well, don’t worry, as laminate wood-look floors offer a happy medium as an affordable, durable flooring option that can resemble all varieties of wood species. The colors and undertones found in solid hardwood are available, plus today's high-quality laminate even mimics grain textures with a deeper embossing. 

Durability and Maintenance

Wood look laminate flooring, sometimes incorrectly referred to as “wood laminate,” offers a fair amount of durability thanks to its structure and wood fiber core. Day-to-day foot traffic from those in your home won't hurt it, but dropping a sharp or heavy object might, as can extended periods of water and UV rays. Since laminate faux wood flooring can't be refinished or repaired when damaged, you’ll want to invest in a high-quality product that has strong stain and fade resistant finish for your busy household. 

To keep your laminate flooring in prime condition, sweep or vacuum often to keep dirt and debris at bay. When a spill or accident happens, clean it up right away to avoid warping or damage to the laminate planks.

Lifespan

With laminate flooring, you won’t have to worry about refinishing or replacing your floors anytime soon. The duration of your wood look laminate floors will depend on several factors, including: 

• How it's installed
• The quality of the product
• How much wear and tear it receives
• How well you maintain it over the years
• Whether you follow guidance provided by the manufacturer

Installation

One reason you might be drawn to laminate flooring is its quick and straightforward installation process. Laminate wood look floors are generally installed as a floating floor, with planks locking together on top of the subfloor. Though it’s a fairly simple process, you should always hire a professional installer. Installing laminate yourself can put your product out of warranty and cause further problems down the line.

Pros and Cons of Wood Look Laminate Flooring

Laminate wood-looking flooring offers several advantages that will save you time and money in the long run. 

• Laminate’s wood fiber core makes it extremely durable and able to weather your active household without scratches or scuffs. 
• Wood look laminate flooring has a straightforward installation process
• Routine cleaning is a breeze. 

The disadvantages of faux wood flooring made from laminate are few but important to know. 

• Most laminate can't handle extended periods of water, so you’ll want to clean up spills and accidents as quickly as possible. 
• Extended exposure to moisture can cause the floors to stain and buckle, ultimately leading to replacement. 
• Even with waterproof laminate options, you still have to be cautious to avoid getting water under the planks. 
• Because it's fake wood flooring and not genuine hardwood, wood look laminate flooring can't be refinished. 

Wood Look Laminate Flooring vs. Solid Wood Floors

Solid hardwood floors are the ultimate choice for wood-look flooring for obvious reasons. Wood is supremely strong and durable, lasting 75 years or more with daily wear. Depending on the product warranty, it  can be sanded and refinished a few times over to give it a fresh new look. 

So how can laminate wood-look flooring even compete? Though not all laminate products are waterproof, laminate flooring holds up to water better, giving you the opportunity to have wood-look floors in moisture-prone areas. It’s also better for your budget and has a far simpler process to install, taking up less of your time so you can actually begin living on your floors sooner.  

Wood Laminate Flooring vs. Engineered Wood Floors

Engineered wood floors and wood look laminate flooring both offer more affordable ways of incorporating the natural beauty of wood throughout your home. Unlike laminate flooring, engineered wood features a top layer of genuine wood, which can add to your property value. They also generally last longer than laminate planks. But engineered wood floors are harder to install and usually cost a good amount more than laminate wood-look floors. 

Laminate Wood-Looking Flooring vs. Vinyl Flooring

Though they both do an impressive job of mimicking the look of hardwood, the makeup of laminate wood look flooring and vinyl flooring differs. Laminate includes a core layer made of plywood or fiberboard. Vinyl is fully synthetic and made of durable, rigid material that can resist both heat and water. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the downside to wood look laminate flooring?

The biggest downside to laminate flooring is its sensitivity to moisture. The planks can buckle, warp, and break down if exposed to liquid for extended periods of time. So if you’re looking for a wood-look option in your kitchen, opt for a high-end waterproof laminate product. 

What thickness of wood look laminate flooring is best?

Laminate is available in thicknesses ranging from 6 to 12mm, and picking the right one depends on where you intend to install your floors and your general lifestyle needs. That said, 10mm laminate flooring is a good thickness for average use if you want durability in high-traffic areas, low noise, and a comfortable floor underfoot.

Is wood look laminate flooring easy to maintain?

Wood look laminate flooring is easy to maintain as long as you follow the care instructions from the manufacturer. Regularly sweep or vacuum to remove dust and debris, and quickly clean up any spills since traditional laminate isn't waterproof.