Back to school in Murfreesboro can mean household traffic picking up significantly after a summer of more relaxed routines. For families looking for flooring that can keep up without a high price tag, laminate is worth a serious look.
At City Tile and Floor Covering Company, we work with homeowners across Murfreesboro and the surrounding area to find flooring that fits their household and their budget. Laminate is one option we bring up often for busy families, and in this post we walk through what it offers, where it works best, and what to look for when choosing a product.
What Laminate Flooring Actually Is
Laminate flooring is a multi-layer synthetic product with a high-density fiberboard core, a photographic design layer that mimics the look of wood, and a hard protective wear layer on top. It is not real wood, but modern laminate does a convincing job of replicating it.
The key thing to understand about laminate is that its core is wood-based. The surface can handle light moisture and the occasional spill when wiped up promptly, but laminate is not waterproof. If water sits on it or gets into the seams and reaches the core, it can swell and warp. That means it is not the right choice for rooms where moisture is a regular factor.
Where Laminate Works Best in a Busy Murfreesboro Home
Living rooms and family rooms.
High foot traffic, kids on the floor, and the general wear of daily family life make living rooms one of the best applications for laminate. Its hard-wearing layer handles the activity well, and the wide range of wood-look styles available means it does not look like a budget choice.
Bedrooms.
Bedrooms are a natural fit for laminate. Lower moisture exposure, moderate traffic, and the desire for a warm, wood-look aesthetic make it a practical and cost-effective option, particularly when updating multiple bedrooms at once.
Hallways and high-traffic corridors.
The scratch resistance that laminate offers makes it a strong choice for hallways where shoes, backpacks, and pets pass through repeatedly throughout the day. A matte or low-sheen finish holds up better in these spaces than a glossy one.
What to Look for When Choosing Laminate
Thickness.
Thicker laminate feels more solid underfoot and tends to perform better over time. An 8mm to 12mm plank is a practical range for most residential applications. Thicker options also tend to include better-attached underlayment, which improves sound absorption.
Finish and texture.
Matte and textured finishes hide everyday scuffs and scratches better than high-gloss options. For a busy household, a wire-brushed or embossed texture is more forgiving day-to-day and tends to look more current in today's interior design landscape.
Attached underlayment.
Many laminate products now come with underlayment pre-attached, which simplifies installation and improves the feel of the floor underfoot. If the product you are considering does not include it, underlayment will need to be added separately.
Keeping Laminate Looking Good in a Busy Household
Laminate is low maintenance, but a few habits keep it looking its best through a busy school year:
Sweep or dry-mop regularly to remove grit and debris that can scratch the surface over time.
Clean spills promptly. Laminate can handle occasional surface moisture but should not sit in standing water.
Use a laminate-safe cleaner for deeper cleaning. Avoid steam mops, which force moisture into the seams.
Place mats at exterior doors to reduce the amount of dirt and moisture reaching the floor.
Use felt pads under furniture legs to prevent scratching when pieces are moved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is laminate flooring good for homes with kids?
Yes, in the right rooms. Laminate's hard wear layer handles the scratches and surface wear that comes with kids well. It works best in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where moisture is not a regular factor. For kitchens and bathrooms, a waterproof flooring option is the more appropriate choice.
How long does laminate flooring last in a busy family home?
Quality laminate installed correctly in appropriate rooms can last 15 to 25 years in a busy household. The thickness of the product and keeping moisture away from the floor are the biggest factors in long-term durability. Cleaning with the right products extends the life significantly.
Can laminate be installed over existing flooring?
In many cases, yes. Laminate can be installed over existing hard flooring surfaces as long as the subfloor is flat and any height differences at doorways and transitions can be managed. Our installation team assesses the existing floor during the planning process.
Does City Tile carry laminate flooring options for Murfreesboro homes?
Yes. We carry a range of laminate options suited for busy family homes, including products with higher AC ratings and a variety of wood-look finishes. Stop by our showroom, and our team can help you find the right fit for your rooms, your household, and your budget.
Ready to Find the Right Flooring for Your Murfreesboro Home?
Whether laminate is the right fit or another product better suits your household, our team at City Tile and Floor Covering Company can help you work through the options. We serve homeowners across Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, Christiana, and the surrounding area and handle everything from product selection through professional installation.
Stop by our showroom to see laminate samples in person and talk through your project with our team.
