Advantages and Disadvantages of Laminates
Laminates are one of the most durable surfacing elements you can come across in the market. Be it digital, textures, or decorative laminates, laminate sheets are widely used in the interior designing industry. Because of their unique manufacturing process, these laminate sheets are so sturdy and provide an array of benefits.
So, now, let’s discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of laminates.
Advantages of Laminates:
- Affordability:
The best advantage of installing digital or decorative laminates is their affordability. Compared to other surface covering materials like real wood and marble, beautiful and aesthetically designed laminate sheets can provide the look of costly materials within your budget. Plus, because of their great affordability, laminate sheets can be used in multiple areas to bring out a beautiful and visually-striking appearance.
- Easy Installation:
Laminate sheets are also easy to install. So, you can even think of installing them on your own, following a DIY guide and saving the installation costs. It just requires a few tools, and some of them are the normal ones that are available in every household.
- Easy to Clean and Maintain:
One of the most popular reasons for using laminates is that they are easy to clean and maintain. As the laminate sheets are stain-repellent material, they do not get stained too often. Plus, you can easily clean off the dust and dirt by wiping the surfaces once in a while without worrying about scratches, or stains, and engaging in tough dirt removal methods. In addition to that, it also saves your time as you do not have to invest in various cleaning solutions to maintain the new-like look of the laminates.
- Family Friendly:
As digital or decorative laminates are quite durable, it is a perfect material for houses with young kids and pets. On top of that, laminates are resistant to scratches, fade, moisture, and even burn. So, you can have your kids and pets move around freely within your household. Besides that, these properties also make these sheets perfect for commercial buildings as well. Moreover, laminates have another great property like hypoallergenic factors that make them resistant to the accumulation of dust and dirt, unlike carpets.
- Durable:
Laminates are so popular because of their great durability. In comparison to other types of surface covering elements, laminate sheets are way more resistant to scratches, moisture, fingerprint, and even wear and tear. After all, the Kraft papers that are used to manufacture the laminates help to make sure the laminates are durable surfacing materials. That’s why high-quality laminates are used at multiple places as they can maintain their beauty appeal and feel for a long period.
Disadvantages of Laminates:
- Not Always 100% Moisture Proof:
Although laminates come with moisture-resistant properties, they are not 100% moisture-proof. However, if there is any major spill or excessive water spill on the laminate surfaces, it can cause damage to the laminates. After all, it can lead to warping and can also lead to an even worse condition where you will need to change the laminates.
- Not a Real Thing:
One of the biggest drawbacks of digital or decorative laminates is that they are not the real thing, i.e., they are not authentic wood or marble material. They are cost-effective alternative materials for real wood and marble. However, they do manage to provide the look and feel of real hardwood and marble. Also, since they are not authentic materials, they will not help increase the resale value of the space. On the contrary, laminates have a low-maintenance appeal that makes them perfect for a modern-day household.
- Improper Installation Problems:
Even though installation of laminates is pretty easy and you can follow a DIY guide to install them, there can always be a risk of improper installation. To install the laminates properly, you will have to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturers. However, it is always better to hire a professional carpenter because there are some common mistakes that people have to face while dealing with laminates.
The Final Thoughts
All in all, laminates have both good and poor properties that can provide you with an overall nice and cost-effective solution. So, you should definitely think about investing in digital or decorative laminates if you want to make your space look modern and classy.