But do they increase your home's value? Yes, they can. If your current floors are old and falling apart, then almost any flooring is going to increase its value. However, in general, laminate floorings are not going to give you as high an ROI as hardwoods.
When it comes down to finding the best flooring to increase home value, it all boils down to your market. Hardwood will likely give you the highest return, but laminate and luxury vinyl plank flooring also offer plenty of perks to buyers.
In high-traffic areas it can show wear and tear, and laminate can't be sanded or refinished for an updated appearance. Because of its lower price point, laminate also won't do much for your home's resale value.
As you see, inexpensive laminate flooring is indeed a good investment to make. If you are searching for the perfect floor that you want to last for years while perfectly matching your décor, consider laminate flooring.
The inability to sand and refinish is a major disadvantage of laminate flooring. If laminate flooring is heavily worn, deep scratched, or grooved, it cannot be sanded or refinished like solid hardwood—it must be replaced.
Laminate flooring can run about half the price of wood flooring but, as with wood, you'll find a range of varying quality. Some look more realistic than others, and some are less substantial in the thickness of the different layers, making them more likely to wear out sooner than a higher-quality product.
To keep your laminate floors fresh, mop them every two months. Damp mops (a.k.a. microfiber mops) are gentle enough to use on laminate floors. If you're going to use a regular mop, just wring it out until it's almost completely dry.
Laminate Flooring Cost Per Square Foot
Installing a laminate floor costs $8 to $15 per square foot for labor and material. For the flooring alone, expect to pay between $2 and $6 per square foot. Laminate floors can mimic the look of stone or tile, but most have a wood appearance.
Not only are the materials themselves cheaper, but laminate wood installation cost is, on average, 50 percent less than hardwood installation.
It's no surprise— hardwood flooring has long been the top choice for buyers and agents alike, and remains so in today's market.
1. Hardwood Continues to Dominate. Hardwood has remained at the top of the podium for decades now and continues to dominate the home flooring industry.
Vinyl in demand
Choices for resilient vinyl flooring include a spectrum of styles, colors, textures and patterns. Add in vinyl's easy-to-clean characteristics, comfort under foot and family-friendly stain-resistance, and the result is increasing popularity with value-hungry shoppers.
New flooring can add a ton of perceived value, encourage higher offers, and even make a home sell faster, but it may not add dollars to your appraisal. Buyers may like the updated flooring and offer more as a result, but don't expect a higher appraised value.
Vinyl stands up the best against excess moisture and spills, and it can be less expensive than laminate. However, laminate gives a more realistic wood look to enhance the design aesthetic in your home.
You should also keep in mind that vinyl plank and tile flooring might not increase the value of your home as much as laminate flooring. However, vinyl flooring can still make all the difference in how long your floors will last, which could be vital as we head into a more competitive real estate market.
Cost to Install Laminate Floors: Labor Cost
The average labor cost to install laminate flooring is $1,500. Installing laminate flooring for a 1,000 sq. ft. floor costs $800 to $2,800 per square foot on average.
Bedrooms are perhaps the best room in your home to use laminate flooring because they are the least prone to moisture. Unlike kitchens and bathrooms, where water is used often, it is rare that you need to bring water into your bedroom.
Depending on the quality of the flooring, laminate flooring can last between 15 to 25 years on average, or longer. Choosing the right flooring for your home is about more than just aesthetics, it's also about durability and strength.
On average, you can expect it to cost somewhere between $600 to $8,300 to rip up your carpet and install laminate flooring. Prices will vary depending on several factors, such as square footage, materials, labor costs, and preparing the space.
On average, it costs between $1,000 and $12,000 to install vinyl flooring in a 1,000-square-foot space. This price is for materials only, and it does not include labor.
Can you use a wet Swiffer on laminate floors? Yes, you can use a wet Swiffer or Swiffer WetJet on laminate floors.
Wet Mopping Pads
While Swiffer does not have a laminate-only cleaning fluid, its Swiffer WetJet Multi-Surface Cleaner Solution does include laminate floors.
You can put laminate floors in bathrooms, especially in half baths and small toilets, as it is water-resistant and durable. However, it is crucial to install an underlay to protect it from moisture in the subfloor. You'll also need to use a sealant to avoid water damage.
The laminate flooring business is booming in a big way. Real estate experts call laminate flooring one of the top options for increasing home value, preceded by natural hardwood, stone, and tile. Laminate flooring offers homeowners an affordable way to achieve their dream wood look.