Laminate as flooring is becoming increasingly popular because of its versatility. But there are certain advantages and disadvantages to laminate floors that a prospective customer should be aware of.

Some significant advantages are:

• Laminate flooring works out to half the cost of hardwood flooring in most cases.
• Laminate floors are easy to install and can be done by a person with little or no construction expertise.
• Some types of laminates are interlocking and snap together. These need no glue, staples, nails or cement.
• Some laminates have a tongue and groove that has to be glued when joined preventing the ingress of dust into the joints.
• A laminate floor "floats" on a sub–floor that rests on a foam/film underlayment intended to absorb sound and moisture.
• Laminate flooring is designed to be fade–resistant and scratch–resistant. Most hardwood floors are vulnerable to both conditions depending on the type and species.
• Laminate floors are suitable for installation in almost any room in the house above or on grade, over concrete or wood.

Some pertinent disadvantages are:

• Laminate flooring is an imitation and not the genuine type of flooring such as hardwood or tile.
• Some laminate designs are susceptible to water damage and spills. If the laminate gets scuffed, the base could show through.
• Water and moisture may result in swelling and warping of the laminate floor planks.
• Dust, dirt and sand particles can scratch the decorative surface of laminate floors in high traffic areas over a period of time.
• Glueless laminate can sometimes become separated resulting in visible gaps between planks.
• Certain laminates use melamine resin, a compound with a formaldehyde base. Formaldehyde is said to release volatile organic compounds raising concerns about air quality indoors.
• Laminate floors are said to sound hollow without proper underlayment.