It may seem that laminate flooring is the latest trend and is successfully replacing hardwood in the scene of residential flooring, probably because it is easy to install, attractive, and durable.
Currently, it is the best alternative to solid hardwood flooring. It has advanced so much in technology with high-definition imaging, deeper embossing, better seaming mechanisms, and a host of other innovations.
Laminate floors are now used for various purposes, such as in the living area, kitchen, and even staircase. This brings us to the main gist of this post, the pros and cons of laminate flooring on stairs.
Some of the pros of laminate flooring on the stairs include its durability, high life expectancy rate, affordability, and ease of installation.
On the downside, laminate floors give in to wear and tear, which inherently reduces its life expectancy level when installed in heavy traffic areas.
Related: Is laminate flooring toxic?
What is Laminate Flooring?
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Laminate flooring is a type of wood material imitation that is stuck to a fiberboard center. This center is then attached to a layer underneath that secures the deck against dampness. It also has an upper layer that protects it from scratches.
With the advance in technology, manufacturers make various designs and patterns of laminate wood, such as the famous oak and hickory designs.
There is a wide range of designs and patterns from stone to metal and tile. Laminate floors manufactured today are of such high quality that it is impossible to tell the difference between hardwood and laminate, making it a top choice among homeowners.
Related: How to repair swollen laminate floor
Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring on Stairs
Below, we will highlight some of the disadvantages and advantages that come with having a laminated floor on your staircase.
Pros of Laminate Flooring on Stairs
Easy to Clean and Maintain
This should be the first and foremost advantage of making use of laminate flooring on the stairs. With either a vacuum cleaner or broom, you can easily have your laminate staircase clean and free of dirt.
For more in-depth cleaning, using a slightly damp mop, or better yet, using a laminate floor cleaner, will do the work perfectly! A laminate floor is most recommended because it lets you effectively range and mop dispose of the residue.
In terms of maintenance, laminate flooring has a protective layer that makes it somewhat resistant to scratches, dents, and stains. This means you don’t have to spend money renewing laminate in a few years due to wear and tear.
Has a Variety of Design
With the advance in technology, manufacturers can recreate a wide range of designs such as the look of wood, stone, and other natural materials. This is unlike natural hardwood, which comes in almost the same designs.
Easy Installation
When it comes to installing floors, laminate flooring is probably one of the easiest to install! And the good news is that you can easily install laminate flooring yourself with few tips from the internet. You can easily lay down hundreds of square feet in one weekend.
Affordability
The average cost for laminate flooring ranges from $1 to $3 per square foot, while designers’ laminate flooring can cost about $10 or $12 per square foot.
Since laminate flooring is quite affordable, it’s a good idea to invest in the best laminate flooring you can afford.
More so, since the installation of laminate flooring is easy, you can do it yourself or pay a meager price for professional installation.
Cons of Laminate Flooring on Stairs
Below are some of the disadvantages associated with the use of laminate floorings on the stairs:
Affects Sellability of your House
Irrespective of the various advantages associated with laminate flooring, in the long run, many house buyers will still pick a house with durable hardwoods floors to laminate flooring. This might lower the value of your home if you’re looking to sell it.
Laminate flooring should be used when you have no interest in selling unless to renovate a shabby floor inexpensively. If you want to get top value for your home, you should consider using hardwood and engineered wood.
It can’t be Replaced
While laminate is obviously a more financially smarter decision, it might not exactly look like that in the long run.
This is because laminate flooring cannot be restored later on. What this implies is that when the laminate wears out, you’ll need to replace it.
It is not Water Resistant
The use of laminate flooring should be dependent on where it is being used. For instance, laminate flooring will not survive in areas of standing pools of water such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
The particleboard core of laminate floorings is easily damaged by water seeping through the seams.
When it comes to flooring tiles that are water-resistant and waterproof, vinyl flooring tiles seem to be your surest bet! In conclusion, if you live in a blustery or frigid region, you may not want to install laminate flooring.
Top Brands of Laminate Flooring and Prices
There are dozens of laminate floor brands. However, the best product of laminate floorings for your stairs come from a relatively small number of manufacturers such as:
- Pergo: this company is regarded as the originator of plastic laminate flooring. It continues to be one of the biggest manufacturers. Most Pergo floorings cost between $2 and $3 per square foot.
Related: How to clean pergo floors
- Bruce: this company is owned by Armstrong, and it’s a big name in the residential flooring scene. Laminate floors are sold for around $3 per square foot.
- Shaw Industries is a subsidiary of Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway and sells laminate flooring for $2 per square foot. The company also has some high-end laminate flooring costing $10 per square foot or more.
- Quick-Step: this company only sells solid laminate flooring at the affordable rate of $3 per square foot.
Related: Best mops for laminate floors
Conclusion
We hope that this post has done justice to the prompt, pros and cons of laminate flooring on stairs. With the information garnered in this post, you should be able to make an informed decision on the best flooring tiles for your stairs.
In our opinion, all facts emphasize that the pros of laminate flooring easily outweigh the cons. Laminate flooring not only accommodates your budget but is a perfectly functional and attractive floor.