Disadvantages of Laminate Flooring
- Not real wood. Some people are bothered by this, some aren't.
- Hard under foot. Foam underlayment helps dampen this feeling, but it's still there.
- Slippery. Traditionally, laminate flooring has been very slippery, but manufacturers are working on curing this.
- Lower resale value. Good hardwood or engineered wood gives better value when selling your house.
- Moisture still a problem. While laminate flooring can resist limited moisture, it cannot tolerate more than that--so it's not good for laundry rooms or kids' bathrooms.
- Not sandable or refinishable. This advantage can also work to your disadvantage if you feel like freshening up or re-staining your floor: can't be done.
