Without question, laminate flooring has gained massive popularity in the last decade, since it strikes a great balance of being economical, durable, attractive and easy to install. Part of that ease of installation that makes laminate flooring so desirable is that it can be quickly installed directly over many kinds of surfaces with little or no work. Remodelers that install laminate flooring are often asked, “Can I put laminate flooring over hardwood?” Fortunately, we can answer a confident Yes this question!
Considerations for Installing Laminate Flooring Over Hardwood
Laminate flooring can be installed directly over hardwood, often with no preparation necessary. If your laminate has a built-in underlayer, you may install it right on top of the hardwood. If the new flooring does not have the built-in underlayer, simply roll out and tape your underlayment to the wood floor and begin installing the laminate.
If your hardwood floor is in very rough shape, you will need to do some preparatory work before installing the laminate. Any protruding nails or fasteners must be pulled (or sunk securely into the wood), and any floorboards that are bowed or angled up must be sanded down. If the hardwood floor is wavy, you will need to do some work to level it out before installing your laminate floor.
Installing a laminate floor over hardwood is a great option in many cases. For one thing, if you ever want to revert back to the original hardwood, you can simply pull out the laminate and the old floor has suffered no damage. Additionally, laminate flooring can mimic the look and style of the original flooring, without all the work of restoring the old hardwood. Finally, depending on the laminate you choose and the condition of your current floor, installing a laminate floor can be cheaper than restoring your old hardwood floor.
Just to be fair, we should mention that many homeowners find a real hardwood floor much more attractive and valuable than laminate flooring. It does have more charm and character, and you may do better to restore it, as long as it isn’t in too bad of shape. Also, real hardwood is much more enduring than laminates, though these can be repaired if there is minor damage, or damage to just one plank.
Installing laminate flooring is often a part of a kitchen remodel or a bathroom remodel. If you have any questions about remodeling or about laminate floors, New Life Kitchen & Bath would be very happy to help. We provide free estimates for all our services, and we enjoy speaking with you, even if you are not ready to begin a project.
