Brushed laminate flooring has a soft textured finish that has the appearance of having been brushed by metal wire. The texture is rougher and more pronounced than the embossed textures. This can give the floor a more rustic appearance and helps hide wear and scratches much better than embossing. The method helps bring more character to the flooring, particularly when used on a type with lots of grain. The cost of embossed laminate flooring ranges from $1.79 to $2.99 a square foot.
Laminate flooring and luxury vinyl flooring are roughly comparable in price, although sheet vinyl does hold a slight edge. Both laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are usually less expensive than natural hardwood, engineered wood, and many types of ceramic or porcelain tile. Vinyl flooring can cost as little as $1.00 per square foot for thin, glue-down vinyl flooring. Vinyl costs rise to around $5.00 per square foot for luxury vinyl planks, and premium brands will cost more. Laminate flooring is similar to luxury vinyl planks in its look and method of installation.
Laying carpet yourself often leads to a substandard job – and subsequently costly recovery work, as well as wasted materials. An experienced floor fitter will be able to lay your new carpet quickly and neatly, making light work of rooms with tricky or unusual dimensions. One of the fastest ways to make an impact in your home is by replacing your flooring. This trade covers everything from laying hardwood floors in a main living area to carpeting a bedroom.
Periodic resealing is recommended, and when the damage becomes severe, the floor can be sanded down and refinished. This should be done by professionals since there are a limited number of times a hardwood floor can be resanded. Most floors wear down after three or four sandings, so use discretion when choosing this method. Laminate surfaces are highly water- and stain-resistant, but water getting into the joints between planks can cause the edges and the fiberboard core to swell and chip. Laminate flooring has enough heat resistance that it can be installed over radiant heating systems.
Quality laminate flooring and vinyl flooring lend a comparable amount of value to a home. Neither brings the high-value prestige of solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, or designer ceramic tile or natural stone floors. At the same time, quality laminate or vinyl flooring usually will not put off prospective home buyers. Like laminate, there are many types of carpeting and carpet underlayments to choose from. This affects the project’s overall cost and helps determine your final costs. Choosing a natural material like wood and using a thicker carpet pad means a much more expensive installation.
What really counts is what the core is made up of and what the durable top layer consists of. Look for the term HDF—high-density fiber—to ensure a floor of quality. Baseboards will cost about $5.50 to install professionally per piece, while quarter round installation costs about $11 per piece. Laminate flooring starts at $0.68 per square foot for Acacia, Cheery, Beech, and Maple woods. For Elm and Hickory, you can expect to pay around $1.60 per square foot. This is necessary to protect your laminate and preserve its beauty.