Laminate Flooring Warranties

Many times when buying laminate flooring it is easy to become distracted and confused by the warranty information. Typical warranties for laminate flooring range from 10 years up until lifetime warranties. But what does it all mean? It is important to keep in mind that when purchasing laminate flooring we should not base our decision solely on warranty information alone.

Buying the floor that suits your needs will save you money in the long run. This is not to say that every home will require a high-end floor with an extensive warranty. Consider the amount of traffic as well as the amount of time you intend to stay in your current home. There is no point in purchasing an expensive floor with an extended warranty if you plan on moving in the near future. Remember, the floor is usually the first thing replaced by people when moving to a new home.

I's important to remember that warranties in general only cover manufacture's defects; it is very unlikely that if the defect has not presented itself in the first year or so after instillation that it would appear in 5 to 10 years thereafter.

Laminate flooring is highly resistant to staining, fading, denting, and is built to be scratch and water resistant to varying degrees based upon the AC (abrasion class) rating on the particular floor. Laminate flooring cores typically range from 6mm to 12mm. A thicker floor core is more stable, less vulnerable to buckling, and will sound more like real hardwood when walked upon. Also a high quality core is treated with water repellent chemicals which will resist swelling due to excessive moisture. These are some of the most important factors which should affect your decision to buy laminate flooring.

So next time you do decide to buy laminate flooring, don't base your decision solely on warranties. Buy laminate flooring according to the style you like and the one which makes the most functional sense based on AC rating, thickness, and core construction.