Laminate flooring divides opinion — some people swear by it, others remember the cheap, hollow boards of decades ago. Modern laminate is a very different product, but it's still not the right floor for every room. Here's an honest run-down of the pros and cons so you can decide if it's right for you.

The pros

  • The toughest surface of the timber-look floors. Laminate has the hardest, most scratch-resistant wear layer going. With an AC4 rating, it's brilliant for high-traffic areas, kids and pets.
  • Genuinely affordable. It's one of the best-value ways to get a real timber look — usually less than hybrid or engineered timber.
  • 72-hour waterproof surface. Modern laminate handles spills far better than the laminate of old, with up to 72 hours of surface protection.
  • Easy DIY. The click-lock floating system goes down without glue or nails, so many people lay it themselves.
  • Realistic looks. A solid 12mm board with deep embossing reads convincingly as timber.

The cons (the honest bit)

  • Firmer and a little noisier underfoot than hybrid. Laminate has a harder feel, and it can sound a touch louder when you walk on it — a good underlay and a 12mm board help a lot here.
  • Not for genuine wet areas. The surface is waterproof for 72 hours, but the board has a pressed-wood core, so bathrooms and wet rooms are out. See where laminate can and can't go.
  • It can't be sanded back. Unlike real timber, you can't refinish laminate — though its tough surface is built to resist damage in the first place.
  • Underlay is extra. Laminate needs a separate underlay, which some hybrid boards include built in.

So who is laminate good for?

Laminate is an excellent choice if you want a tough, realistic timber-look floor on a sensible budget, especially in living areas, bedrooms, hallways and busy family spaces. It's the floor to beat for scratch resistance and high traffic. If your priority is a softer, quieter floor or you need genuine water resistance for a laundry, it's worth comparing it against hybrid first. For most homes, though, modern laminate is very good indeed — as long as you put it in the right rooms.

Keep reading

See the colours in your own home before you buy — order free samples — or browse the full laminate flooring range.