If you like the look of a wood floor but have an issue with the cost or maintenance requirements, laminate flooring may be the perfect alternative. Laminate flooring does a good job of mimicking the look of a hardwood floor, but it's easier to maintain--you'll find that it's simple to clean and will never need to be sanded or stained in order to keep the original look. Learning about the benefits and issues of laminate floors can help you make an informed decision about whether or not this type of flooring will work well in your home.
The benefits to laminate flooring are numerous. It's easy to install, whether you choose the pre-glued variety or the variety that doesn't require glue at all, and it looks almost exactly like hardwood but the price is far lower. Laminate also doesn't fade in sunlight, which makes it simple to replace small damaged sections that without the new sections looking strange next to the surrounding pattern. Laminate floors are simple and safe to clean with a citrus or ammonia-based cleaning fluid, and they hold up well to the daily activities of an active family.
However, laminate flooring does have some issues. It should never be installed in an area that's likely to flood or that may be prone to water issues, like a bathroom or basement. The same qualities that make laminate easy to clean may lead to trapped moisture under the planks after a flood or severe condensation. Laminate is also impossible to change with sanding or staining.
All laminate flooring that is sold in the United States should come with an AC rating that works on a quality control scale of 1 to 5. Most laminate flooring sold will probably fall in the 2 to 3 rating, which means it should stand up to the normal levels of stress that a family would deliver. AC 5 flooring is the highest quality available, while AC 1 flooring should not be used in a high traffic area. Avoid any flooring sold without an AC, since it probably hasn't passed quality control testing.