How Long Does Laminate Flooring Last?

How Long Does Laminate Flooring Last? It’s the part of your home that is the most used and ignored by everyone. Not only do we overlook our floors even as we walk, stand, or sit on them. We demand that the floor in our home be comfortable, look good, and be easy to maintain.

On top of all of these requirements, we also want one more teeny little thing. The floor must last forever. Okay, maybe not forever. But we want it to last at least, say, 30 years. Wow, we don’t ask a lot of our floors, do we?

There was a time when a floor like that existed in our dreams. Then came laminate flooring.

What Is Laminate Flooring?

In 1977, a Swedish company began pressurizing leftover wood particles, heating them, then using chemicals to bind them. It started out as a cheaper option. Now this type of flooring has become a favorite, and is seen all over.

Laminate flooring looks so real because it is the base of treated wood with an overlayer of clear plastic. This plastic overlayer contributes to the laminate flooring lifespan, which is considerable.

Ease of Laminate Flooring

No matter what type of floor a person chooses, having it installed is no fun. Moving the furniture out makes putting in a new floor tricky. Then there is the “fun” of not allowing anyone to come into the room (or house) during the change.

Most types of floor coverings—well, the ones that last—require being connected to the floor. That means nailing the flooring down or gluing it. Laminate flooring always “floats”. So no nails, and no glue smells filling the air.

What is floating? Well, first, there is no ice cream involved. That’s a different kind of float.

This means the board-shaped panels connect to one another. They interlock.. And they link so tightly that nails or glue are unnecessary.

How Long Will Laminate Flooring Last?

Laminate flooring lifespan is up to 30 years. Just think, you could get married, raise a family and be welcoming your grandchildren into your home all on the same beautiful floor. If you want your laminate flooring to last as long as it possibly can, though, you will need to take care of it.

KEEP YOUR LAMINATE FLOORING BEAUTIFUL WITH THESE EASY TIPS

1. Keep scratchy things away from the floor.

Is there a dog in the house? Clip your best friend’s nails. Don’t use anything that can scrape your floor when you clean. So no powder cleansers, no steel wool pads. If you enjoy wearing stilettos, get used to switching to flats around the house. Consider putting felt pads under the furniture legs.

2. Don’t let liquids sit

Liquids need to come up as soon as possible. Even if you are mopping, it is best to use a well-wrung out mop or pre-wet mop pads. The surface can stain. Also, even though the slats are very tightly fitted together, some liquid might seep in.

3. Wash your laminate flooring with mild soap and a bit of water.

Dish soap or a cleanser that says on the container that it is good for laminate floors are good choices. Another option for use as a cleanser is vinegar. Avoid things like apple cider vinegar or wine vinegar. Just the clear vinegar that you might use at times to clean kitchen counters.

A cup of vinegar to a gallon of hot water, and you are on your way to a cleaner floor.

Laminate Flooring Extends Its Own Life Span

It is amazing how easy it is to have a beautiful floor. Just as astonishing is how easy it is to help your great floor last for decades. And the way laminate flooring installs helps it last as long as possible.

It has a unique click-lock installation system that can have you looking at a new floor in a relatively short time.

Then, when the last few pieces are put in, the boards press against each other, tightening the seams. When it is done, it is looks and feels solid. That means no pieces rub against one another, wearing each other out before their time.