Laminate Kitchen Floors

When you think of laminate, images of dated, peeling floors may come to mind. But trust us. Today’s laminate has come a long way and is an inexpensive and stylish alternative to its pricier competitors.

Exotic grains, rich colorations and textured details give this laminate floor the appearance and feel of hardwood. This surface has a glossy finish that glams up this open living space. Shown: Crystalline, Magic Valley Ash. Photo courtesy of Shaw Floors

Exotic grains, rich colorations and textured details give this laminate floor the appearance and feel of hardwood. This surface has a glossy finish that glams up this open living space. Shown: Crystalline, Magic Valley Ash. Photo courtesy of Shaw Floors

Though not as durable as hardwoods, laminate is meant to mimic hardwood and is composed of high-density fiberboard, covered in a photographic image and a clear protective layer.

Laminate floors that mimic natural oak imbue an airy kitchen with character. Ideal for busy households, laminate withstands wear from kids and pets. Shown: Maison, Natural French Oak. Photo courtesy of Mohawk Flooring

Light laminate flooring helps adds to the expansive feeling in this tiny home, while hiding dirt and dust from the great outdoors. The color doesn’t compete with the other stain and wood grains in the space, ensuring this tiny house flows well from top to bottom.

Laminate is a great option over existing flooring, and can cover a wide variety of materials with minimal damage to the surface below it. When installing laminate over existing flooring in a kitchen, measure to make sure appliances will fit into their original positions after the added thickness of the new layer of flooring. If not, you may have to tear out the old flooring before installing the new.

This home's entryway features the same rustic-looking wood laminate as the kitchen, making the space feel fluid and cohesive.

Snap-together laminate flooring can mimic the look of real wood, but it’s less expensive and easier to install.

Laminate flooring is durable, easy to install and less expensive than hardwood.

Armstrong's laminate floor in Grand Illusions beautifully mimic the look of hardwoods at a far more affordable cost.

It could be hard for your guests to tell that the floors they thought were wood, are actually laminate.

Five-inch-wide hickory-look planks merge the appearance of hardwood with the durability of laminate. The surface resists stains and scratches. Shown: Louisville Hickory. Photo courtesy of Mannington Mills, Inc.

This new laminate kitchen flooring has the color variation and depth of actual hardwood.