Flooring Specialists in Kansas City, MO

Kansas City Laminate Flooring

Hardwood flooring is considered a top-of-the-line, timeless residential floor, perfect for the bedroom, living room, dining room, and kitchen. Of course, the big drawback for many homeowners is the cost, and even if you have the financial resources for wood flooring, for every dollar you save by choosing laminate flooring is another dollar you can invest somewhere else in your home. Plus, laminate flooring, as a synthetic material, can be fashioned in any number of exotic looking colors or grains without the corresponding jump in price. No matter where you live in Kansas City, laminate flooring installation and repair is only a click away with our nifty online referral service.

Performance and Maintenance
Although laminate flooring is often viewed as a low cost alternative to hardwood flooring, it frequently outperforms its older brother. Laminate is more durable in facing water, moisture, and some forms of staining. Previously, it lacked the strength of wood, but newer forms of reinforced laminate are giving wood a run for its money. Meanwhile, although wood flooring can be refinished to its original condition as long as it's well-maintained, laminate flooring repairs are a relatively simple matter, if you have the foresight to buy extra panels when the floor is first installed.

And, while thick, durable laminate flooring isn't cheap and should probably be installed by a pro to ensure a quality floor from the get-go, chances are it still won't be as expensive as wood flooring. You might wonder, at this point, why anyone would choose a hardwood floor, but the real thing still holds sway as the most coveted flooring, a factor in resale value and you can point to certain intangibles as smell and a slightly different feel.

The Cost of Laminate Flooring
So, how much do you stand to save by choosing laminate? According to the data collected by HomeAdvisor everyday, the average cost of a laminate flooring installation is about $4,000, while the average hardwood floor costs just more than $5,000, or more broadly stated about a 20 to 25 percent jump. You won't notice this when you look at the price tag of manufacturers because much of the savings occurs during the installation and cost of labor. You should also keep in mind that this $4,000 figure may not reflect the project you have in mind. Large, complicated flooring projects can cost balloon toward the $10,000 mark, while smaller floors can be had for just a grand or two, sometimes less if you install the floor yourself.

Installation and Contractors
Many homeowners choose to install their own laminate floors, and if you have basic carpentry skills and choose a product designed for easy, snap-together construction, you shouldn't have too much trouble. But laminate flooring installation still isn't for everyone. Edging and especially corners can still be a little tricky. Plus, professional installation all but guarantees a seamless, durable floor for your home.

If you are going to hire a professional, don't assume chain stores will automatically have the best deal. The prices of their laminate flooring may seem enticing, but these stores have also been known to overcharge on installation. At the very least, get estimates from one of these huge chains and an independent contractor. Homeowners, time and time again, tell us they get better estimates from our prescreened contractors than a Home Depot or Lowe's. Don't believe it? Check out our online ratings and reviews, which can give you valuable information about laminate flooring installation and the quality of independent contractors.