Skip to content
Footsteps Flooring logo
(346) 396-6398
Laminate Flooring

Laminate Flooring

Laminate gets overlooked now that vinyl plank is everywhere, but for the right rooms it is still one of the smartest buys in flooring. Our laminate flooring installation is built around a fair comparison: where laminate beats LVP, where it does not, and how to install it so it handles a moving Fort Bend slab.

Get a Free Estimate Call (346) 396-6398
Bedroom bed dresser white carpet room pillow sleep
An honest comparison

Laminate or vinyl plank? Here is how we actually decide

Where laminate wins

Laminate has a very hard top layer, and that surface tends to shrug off scratches from dog claws, kids' toys and dining chairs better than many vinyl products. The image under that layer can be strikingly realistic, with deep texture that follows the grain. It also feels solid and substantial underfoot, closer to a wood floor than some thinner vinyl. For living rooms, bedrooms, home offices and upstairs spaces, laminate can give you a high-end look for a lower cost per square foot.

Where vinyl plank wins

Water. Laminate's core is made from compressed wood fiber, and while modern water-resistant laminates handle spills much better than older products, they are not the same as a waterproof vinyl core. For full bathrooms, laundry rooms and any space where water can sit for hours, we usually recommend luxury vinyl plank or tile instead.

Laminate is also a bit louder than vinyl when you walk on it in hard shoes. A good underlayment makes a real difference, and that is one of the first things we talk about.

So which one?

In plenty of homes the answer is both: laminate through the living areas and bedrooms where you want that wood look and scratch resistance, and vinyl or tile in the wet rooms. We bring samples of each to your home so you can compare them side by side in your own light, without anyone pushing you toward the more expensive box.

What's included

  • Wood-look and stone-look laminate
  • Water-resistant laminate options
  • Moisture barrier underlayment on slabs
  • Old floor removal and haul-off
  • Baseboard, quarter round and transitions
  • Lifetime Installation Guarantee
Good fits

Rooms where laminate makes sense

Busy living areas

Family rooms and game rooms that see constant foot traffic, pets and moving furniture are where laminate's hard surface pays off. It keeps looking newer for longer under that kind of wear.

Bedrooms and upstairs

Upstairs rooms are drier and see lighter traffic, and they are often the rooms still covered in builder carpet. Laminate is a cost-effective way to move those rooms to a hard surface while keeping the look consistent with a wood or vinyl floor downstairs.

Home offices and rentals

Rolling office chairs are tough on soft floors. Laminate handles them well, especially with a chair mat. For landlords, laminate can be a durable, good-looking floor at a sensible price for bedrooms and living areas, paired with vinyl in the kitchen and baths.

Upstairs rooms are drier and see lighter traffic, and they are often the rooms still covered in builder carpet.
Elegant laminate flooring in a bedroom
Recent installs

Laminate Flooring we've installed

  • Laminate flooring in a bedroom
Installation

A floating floor for a foundation that moves

  1. Why floating suits this area

    Laminate is installed as a floating floor. The planks lock to each other rather than to the slab, and the whole floor rests on an underlayment. That matters in Fort Bend, where expansive clay soils can make slabs shift slightly through wet and dry seasons. A floating floor can move a little with the house instead of cracking along with the concrete the way a rigid surface can.

  2. Moisture barrier and underlayment

    On a concrete slab, laminate needs a moisture barrier between the slab and the core. Some products have it built into an attached pad, others need a separate layer. We use what the manufacturer specifies for that product, because the right underlayment controls moisture, reduces that hollow sound and protects the warranty.

  3. Flat slab, proper gaps

    Locking joints are strong but they need a flat base. We check the slab, take down high spots and fill low ones before installing. We leave expansion space at every wall, doorway and cabinet run, then cover it with baseboard or quarter round. On large open plans we follow the product's maximum run lengths and add transitions where they are needed, rather than letting the floor push against itself in August.

  4. Cleanup and the walkthrough

    We remove and haul off the old flooring, install the trim and transitions, clean up and walk the finished floor with you. Our Lifetime Installation Guarantee covers the installation workmanship, and we will show you how to care for the surface so it keeps looking right.

On a concrete slab, laminate needs a moisture barrier between the slab and the core.
Bright laminate flooring in a bedroom
Reviews

What homeowners say

  • "If you need flooring work done, hire Next Floors immediately! Working with the owner, Jose Garcia, was an incredible experience. Jose removed the entire upstairs flooring and replaced it with wood that matches our downstairs perfectly, along with installing brand new carpet on the stairs. The result is pure perfection! Jose is beyond trustworthy and honest, and he truly takes pride in his work. He offered a fantastic, high-quality product and executed our agreed-upon plan to absolute perfection. The craftsmanship, precision, and care were top-tier. We couldn't be happier with our transformed home!"
    The Severin Family · via google
  • "We had a great experience with Next Floors installing a carpet runner on our stairs. Jose, our sales representative, was fantastic—very prompt, professional, and clear throughout the entire process. He provided straightforward estimates for both cost and timing, and they were even able to work us into their schedule on very short notice. Joe, our installer, was equally impressive. He came well prepared, worked efficiently, and did an excellent job with the installation. The finished runner looks fantastic and really transformed the stairs. Great service from start to finish. I would highly recommend Next Floors for anyone looking for quality carpet installation and excellent customer service!"
    Craig Albritton · via google
Laminate Flooring

Laminate Flooring questions

What is the difference between laminate and luxury vinyl plank?

Laminate has a dense fiberboard core with a printed image and a hard protective top layer. LVP is built from vinyl, often with a rigid core. Laminate generally has a harder surface that resists scratches very well and can look more like real wood. LVP handles water better. We help you decide room by room.

Can laminate go in a kitchen?

Some newer laminates are made to be water-resistant and are rated for kitchens, as long as spills are wiped up. Traditional laminate is not a good choice anywhere water sits. We look at the specific product's ratings and your household before recommending it for a kitchen.

Is laminate good with dogs?

Often, yes. A hard wear layer stands up to claws better than many other floors. It can be a little louder and more slippery than vinyl, so we usually suggest a quality underlayment and rugs in the spots where dogs run and turn.

Why do some laminate floors sound hollow?

Usually because the subfloor was not flat, the underlayment was wrong, or there was not enough expansion space at the walls. Those are installation issues, which is why we check the slab, use the right underlayment and leave proper gaps before we start.

Flexible financing available

Flexible payment plans for qualified customers, subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required.

See financing options
Where we work

Laminate Flooring by city

Other services

Other services

Ready for your free in-home estimate?

Free in-home estimate, clear pricing, and a crew that shows up when we say we will.

Get a Free EstimateCall (346) 396-6398
Call Now Free Estimate