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Choosing the right type of flooring can be tough, especially on a budget. How can you achieve that classic hardwood or tile look without the actual material? Luckily, another option exists: laminate flooring. Laminate flooring can match the look of any design or style you have in mind, at a fraction of the cost. Usually, though it has other benefits, laminate won’t come close to feeling like the actual thing.

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Laminate flooring is a type of synthetic, composite flooring. A plywood or fiberboard core layer makes up the base of the flooring. In some cases, a backing layer or underlayment is added to the bottom of this core layer for extra protection and insulation. The core layer is glued on top of the image layer—a printed, high-resolution image of real wood, stone or another material.

Finally, a thin and transparent wear layer, made of plastic, is added to protect the lower layers from damage.

Laminate flooring is a popular way to achieve the look of wood or stone floors without paying the price point of said floors. Although in the past it has been known to look cheap and artificial, these days it is seen as durable, low-maintenance, and—thanks to increasing options for an excellent, photorealistic image layer—high-quality.

Durable: For the low amount of maintenance they require, laminate floors are extremely durable. Laminate can weather high traffic with minimal damage, can offer UV resistance and can be waterproofed. It also does not scratch or discolor as easily as hardwood floors.

Affordable and easy installation: Laminate floors are affordable compared to other flooring options and can easily be installed as a DIY project.

Decently eco-friendly: It is becoming increasingly common to find laminate floors made out of recycled materials (particularly the core layer). Reputable brands will also offer some form of environmental certification, such as GreenGuard.

Susceptible to liquid damage: Laminate floors are sensitive to moisture. Oversaturation of any liquid, not just water, can cause the planks to buckle, stain and break down if left untreated. Though waterproofed laminate floors are becoming the norm, it is still important to exercise caution, especially if water gets underneath the floor. Water-damaged planks or tiles must be removed and replaced entirely.

Cannot be refinished: Due to its composite construction and wear layer, a laminate floor can never be refinished. Once it has been damaged or worn out, laminate flooring must be replaced.

Artificial appearance: Unfortunately, no matter the quality, laminate flooring will not pass for its real counterpart when closely examined. Everything from pattern repetition to how the floor sounds and feels underfoot (a laminate wood floor will be noisier, for example, than a hardwood floor) are indicators that a laminate floor is, well, laminate.

The price of laminate flooring will depend on the quality, but you can estimate spending between $0.70 (for woods like maple or red and white oak) and $2.00 (for something like hickory) per square foot. Non-wood laminate floors will be within the same range. For any additional features or qualities, such as waterproofing or customized designs, expect to pay more. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Using your home's equity is an easy way to fund your new floors! Get prequalified in minutes by clicking on your state. Learn More

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Laminate floors are easy to maintain. Most floors will come with instructions from the manufacturers since the best method of care can vary depending on the materials used in construction. Otherwise, take the same precautions you would for any other floor: clean up spills and messes as soon as possible, put down rugs or mats in areas of high traffic, add pads to the bottom legs of furniture and try to avoid any activity or object that might scratch your floor.

Laminate floors are sensitive to water, so unless your floor has been waterproofed, try to avoid mopping regularly and stick to a once-a-month or every-other-month schedule. A damp mop is typically sufficient. In order to preserve and protect the wear layer, make sure any cleaning product you buy or DIY is safe for laminate flooring. Products that are oil-based, acidic or abrasive can damage the surface. Similarly, never polish or wax your floor.

Remember, laminate flooring cannot be refinished if it is damaged. Though minor scratches might be “fixed” by using a wax pencil or repair putty to fill in the scratch, anything more serious will typically require replacing the affected board entirely.

Since laminate floors use printed designs for their image layer, it is possible to highly customize your flooring (though you are guaranteed to pay more). Most traditional flooring types, colors, patterns and styles can be mimicked by laminate floors. While wood floors are the most common, stone and tile laminate floors are growing increasingly popular. Beveling, embossing and gloss effects are also possible.

Because laminate flooring is so versatile and affordable, it is possible to use a different type of laminate flooring in every room in your house. A kitchen could have ceramic tiles, for example, while the dining room next door could have a classic oak appearance.

Laminate floors are typically installed as a floating floor, meaning it consists of interlocking planks that are laid across the existing sub-floor. No adhesive, nails or staples are necessary. This makes laminate floor installation a very easy project to DIY.

Expect the actual plank-laying process to take around a day, depending on the size of your room, though more time may be necessary if you have to prepare the subfloor or encounter any damage in your purchased planks. Be sure to follow any instructions provided by the manufacturer and to respect any safety guidelines when using power tools.

If you would prefer to have your laminate floor professionally installed, expect to pay between $8 to $15 per square foot for labor and material (or around $2 to $8 per square foot for labor). Installation prices will vary depending on the difficulty of the project and the type of flooring. The quoted labor price will typically include any required underlay and trim, but check with the installation company for exact details.

Laminate flooring lasts between 15 to 25 years on average. The exact lifespan will vary depending on the product quality of your floor, how well you maintain and care for it and the overall wear-and-tear it receives. In some cases, laminate floors can last over 25 years. In many cases, it won’t last ten.

Laminate flooring manufacturers tend to specialize in certain types of laminate, so research brands according to your needs. In general, brands that offer longer warranties and “mid-grade” or “premium” floors (or a similar equivalent) are a good sign of high quality. Also, look for an AC (abrasion class) rating; the higher the number, out of five, the more durable the floor.

Pergo and Mohawk are the best-known brands and are both considered to be reputable and quality manufacturers. Floors they produce are water-resistant, varied in style and GreenGuard certified. Shaw Laminate, Armstrong Laminate and AquaGuard Laminate also provide great flooring options. If you are on a tight budget and want something especially widely available, look at floors produced by Dream Home and TrafficMaster (sold by Home Depot).

If you’re looking for an affordable, durable floor with plenty of design options and an easy installation process, laminate flooring may be the right choice for you. Weigh carefully the artificiality of laminate against the much higher cost (both financially and in terms of maintenance and longevity) of other materials.

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Chauncey grew up on a farm in rural northern California. At 18 he ran away and saw the world with a backpack and a credit card, discovering that the true value of any point or mile is the experience it facilitates. He remains most at home on a tractor, but has learned that opportunity is where he finds it and discomfort is more interesting than complacency.

Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.