Adding
value...
One of the first questions to ask about laminate flooring is whether it
will add value and convenience to your home. As a modern style and with lower maintenance
levels than carpet, many householders find there is a distinct appeal with laminate
floors. They look smart and functional, and there is an immediate choice if you miss the
soft warm feel of carpet as rugs and mats work exceptionally well laid out over laminate
floor.
The downside is that it is not real wood. It's actually a photograph or
image of wood glued to high-density backing board. Choose the wrong type of laminate
flooring and you could find that it looks a bit 'tacky', almost as if you're trying to
make something look like wood when it blatantly isn't. Vinyl floors with a 'wood effect'
finish can also suffer from the same problem. Choosing cost over quality could be counter
productive when you're trying to add value and appeal to your property, so always go for
the best quality laminate or vinyl flooring you can afford.
But if you're trying to add value and appeal to your home, laminate
floors can be a more affordable home improvement than a real wood floor. Like vinyl, they
are easy to maintain and relatively cheap to install. But if you've already got a quality
carpet then it might be worth ditching the idea, as on balance a good quality carpet could
have just as much appeal as a fake wood floor.
What's under the carpet?
The whole point about improving your floor is adding style,
functionality and visual appeal. An old scruffy carpet is going to look far worse than a
brand new laminate floor, but try taking a look under the carpet. Before you spend money
on a new vinyl or laminate floor it could be worth checking that you don't already have a
great looking wood floor underneath your existing carpet. It might be in need of a bit of
sanding and varnish, but you could already be standing on what would otherwise be a very
expensive and valuable wooden floor.
A mix of carpet and laminate or solid wood flooring can often be a good
option, with wood or laminate flooring on the ground floor, and carpet in the bedrooms.
This way, you can save money and put the wood or laminate flooring in the areas where
they're most likely to be appreciated, and valued. Rugs can be laid over the wood flooring
where necessary.
Essentially, the choice between carpet and laminate is down to individual style. Both
have their advantages and disadvantages, but while a wood floor always looks better than
laminate, it's a question over what is affordable and whether you're really going to get
value for money. |
