Laminate flooring is built from a dense wood-fiber core topped with a high-resolution printed image layer and a clear protective wear layer. That wood-fiber core gives laminate a slightly harder, more solid feel underfoot than vinyl, closer to the feel of real hardwood, while keeping the cost well below solid or engineered wood in most cases.

The tradeoff is moisture tolerance: standard laminate is not waterproof, and prolonged exposure to standing water can cause the core to swell or warp. That makes it a better fit for living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, and other dry areas of the home rather than kitchens, bathrooms, or basements — for those rooms, waterproof LVP is generally the safer material.

Laminate is also one of the more DIY-friendly flooring materials for a motivated homeowner, since click-lock laminate installs as a floating floor without glue or nails in most straightforward, rectangular rooms. That said, professional installation still pays off for larger rooms, irregular layouts, or any subfloor prep.

Frequently Asked Questions