Flooring Specialists in San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Laminate Flooring

When it comes time for a remodel in San Francisco, laminate flooring is an option that might be wrongly overlooked. In a place that's as stylish and unique as the Bay Area, the memory of laminate flooring produced decades ago might make the average homeowner cringe. The fact is, though, that modern San Francisco laminate flooring is attractive enough that it can be installed just about anywhere and be a compliment to the setting rather than just a cheap alternative to other materials. In addition to its upgraded looks, there are several areas where new laminate products actually perform better than many other flooring materials (including traditional hardwood). If you are in the market for a remodel, laminate flooring is a versatile and attractive option that is worth closer examination.

Benefits of Laminate Flooring
Though the time tested appeal and performance of traditional hardwood is something that's tough to beat, for remodels in San Francisco, laminate flooring has a few pretty important benefits, as well. Though people love the look of hardwood, it can be difficult to maintain. With laminate flooring, you can have the look of hardwood in an extremely low-maintenance material. Speaking of looks, the options you'll have with traditional hardwood flooring will be vast, but so will the price range; if you want something with a unique look that you won't find in too many places, it'll cost you. With laminate flooring, San Francisco homeowners can have the appearance of whatever species or finish they like without having to worry about price (or cutting down rare or exotic trees, for that matter). Laminate flooring can even have the appearance of stone or tile!

Another very attractive quality of laminate flooring is that it is well suited to environments where hardwood simply can't go. Having the look of wood floors in a kitchen, laundry room, or even bathroom or basement can be striking, but because hardwood is adversely affected by moisture and temperature changes, it is simply not recommended for installation in these areas. Though in some cases laminate flooring can be damaged by pooling water (it is always a good idea to wipe up liquids on any floor rather than let them stand), it is far more able to handle moist situations than hardwood.

Care and Maintenance
One of the things you should consider when installing any flooring in any city is the amount of care and maintenance it will require over its lifetime. Here, again, San Francisco laminate flooring is a winner. Though not the rainiest place in the country, the Bay Area does have its fair share of precipitation; combine a little moisture with the dirt and grime of any city street, and tracked in debris is unavoidable. On carpet, the dirt and grit that sticks to your shoes can be a nightmare; on hardwood, you'll have to worry about scuffing and scratching a pretty formidable investment. However, tracked in dirt will have a tough time ruining the tough finish of laminate flooring; and unlike many varieties of hardwood flooring, there's no reason why you should worry about damp mopping a laminate finish when necessary.

Installation Is Easy
If there weren't already enough reasons to opt for laminate flooring, San Francisco homeowners will be pleased to know that it is also one of the fastest and easiest materials to install. When compared to tile, hardwood, or even cement, laminate's snap-in-place, floating installation cuts down on labor costs, and gets your new floor ready to be enjoyed much faster.

One of the nicest things about living in the Bay Area is how close in proximity you are to a vast number of things to do. However, the trade off for this convenience often manifests itself as close, somewhat cramped quarters. While this might be a drawback in some respects, having a modest amount of floor space means that a flooring upgrade will be a little more affordable in San Francisco. Laminate flooring is not only going to be a less expensive option than hardwood, its hard, shiny surface will also serve to open up a space that used to be covered in carpet.

Flooring Prices
One of the most common reasons why homeowners choose laminate flooring over hardwood is the price. Though far from a low quality material, laminate's price is extremely affordable (especially when compared to that of hardwood). In San Francisco, laminate flooring is likely to cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $2,000 to $5,000. When you compare that with some of the prices we've seen for hardwood flooring in the Bay Area (which can be as low as $3,000 or as much as $12,000), it's easy to see why so many homeowners find that laminate fits their budget better than other flooring options.