Flooring types
Laminate
Laminate is durable and budget-friendly, but it is unforgiving about moisture and subfloor flatness. The topics below map the decisions that most affect the outcome: selection, underlayment, installation and the problems laminate floors develop.
What this hub covers
Costs, installation, floor prep, tools, problems and maintenance for this material.
Choosing laminate
AC ratings, core type and water-resistance claims.
Underlayment
What is attached, what you add and where a vapor barrier belongs.
Subfloor prep
Flatness expectations for a floating floor.
Installation
Layout, stagger, expansion gaps and locking systems.
Moisture limits
Where laminate is and is not a reasonable choice.
Laminate problems
Peaking, gapping, swollen edges and delamination.
Start with the numbers
Plan the material and cost side of the job, or see how a contractor estimate lines up against practical planning benchmarks.