How To Choose Between Matte And Glossy Laminate Flooring
Both options have their unique advantages and can dramatically influence the look and feel of your space. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision that suits your style and needs. Ready? Let’s get started!
Understanding Laminate Flooring Finishes
What is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring is a versatile and popular choice for many reasons:
- Durability: It can withstand heavy foot traffic and resist scratches and stains.
- Affordability: It offers a cost-effective alternative to more expensive flooring materials.
- Aesthetic Variety: Available in numerous styles, colours, and patterns, laminate can mimic the look of wood, stone, and other high-end materials.
Types of Finishes
Laminate flooring typically comes in two main finishes:
- Matte Finish
- Glossy Finish
Matte Laminate Flooring
Characteristics
- Subtle Shine: Matte laminate flooring has a low-sheen finish, offering a subtle and understated look.
- Natural Appearance: It often mimics the look of natural wood or stone more closely than glossy finishes.
- Texture: Matte finishes usually have a slightly textured surface, which can add to the natural appearance and feel.
Advantages
1. Hides Imperfections
- Camouflages Scratches and Dents: The low sheen of matte flooring makes scratches, dents, and other imperfections less noticeable.
- Ideal for High-Traffic Areas: Perfect for busy households with children or pets, as it hides wear and tear better.
2. Low Maintenance
- Easier to Clean: Matte flooring doesn’t show dust, dirt, or smudges as easily as glossy flooring.
- Less Frequent Cleaning: Requires less frequent cleaning to maintain its appearance.
3. Non-Slip Surface
- Better Traction: The textured surface of matte flooring provides better traction, making it a safer option in areas prone to moisture, like kitchens and bathrooms.
Disadvantages
1. Less Reflective
- Doesn’t Brighten Space: Matte flooring doesn’t reflect light as much, which might not be ideal for small or dark rooms that need more brightness.
2. Subtle Look
- Less Dramatic Impact: If you’re looking for a bold, dramatic floor, matte might not provide the striking visual impact you desire.
Glossy Laminate Flooring
Characteristics
- High Shine: Glossy laminate flooring has a high-sheen finish, offering a shiny and reflective appearance.
- Polished Look: It gives a sleek, polished look that can make a space feel more luxurious and modern.
- Smooth Surface: Glossy finishes are usually smoother, which can enhance the sleek appearance.
Advantages
1. Reflects Light
- Brightens Rooms: The reflective surface of glossy flooring can brighten up a room, making it feel more spacious and airy.
- Enhances Light: Ideal for small or dark rooms, as it helps enhance natural and artificial light.
2. Dramatic Appearance
- High-Impact Look: The shiny surface provides a bold, striking appearance that can create a dramatic impact in any space.
- Modern Appeal: Perfect for contemporary and modern designs that require a sleek and sophisticated look.
Disadvantages
1. Shows Imperfections
- Highlights Scratches and Dents: The high shine makes scratches, dents, and other imperfections more noticeable.
- Prone to Smudges: Glossy surfaces show dust, dirt, and smudges more easily, requiring more frequent cleaning.
2. Slippery Surface
- Less Traction: The smooth, glossy surface can be more slippery, especially when wet, which may not be ideal for areas prone to spills.
How to Choose Between Matte and Glossy Laminate Flooring
Consider Your Lifestyle
Busy Households
- Matte Finish: If you have a busy household with kids and pets, a matte finish might be better due to its ability to hide imperfections and provide better traction.
Low-Traffic Areas
- Glossy Finish: For areas with less foot traffic or where you want to make a bold statement, a glossy finish can add elegance and brightness.
Think About Maintenance
Easy Maintenance
- Matte Finish: Requires less frequent cleaning and hides dirt and smudges better, making it a lower maintenance option.
Willing to Clean Frequently
- Glossy Finish: If you don’t mind the extra cleaning, the high shine of glossy flooring can enhance the beauty and brightness of your space.
Assess the Room’s Lighting
Dark Rooms
- Glossy Finish: The reflective surface can help brighten up dark rooms, making them feel more open and airy.
Well-Lit Rooms
- Matte Finish: In rooms that already receive plenty of natural light, a matte finish can provide a warm, cosy feel without overwhelming brightness.
Design Style
Modern and Contemporary
- Glossy Finish: Complements modern and contemporary designs with its sleek and polished look.
Traditional and Rustic
- Matte Finish: Works well with traditional and rustic designs, offering a natural and understated appearance.
Safety Considerations
Areas Prone to Moisture
- Matte Finish: Provides better traction and is safer for areas prone to moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
General Use
- Glossy Finish: Can be used in general areas where slipping is less of a concern and where you want a striking visual impact.
Further Reading
For those of you who love diving deep into home improvement and flooring tips, here are some fantastic resources:
We hope this guide helps you choose between matte and glossy laminate flooring, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your home.
Easipay Carpets can help you get brand new flooring without the high up-front cost – by simply letting you spread the cost of the flooring over time instead. There’s no interest on our plans so you aren’t spending a penny more than you would buying it outright and we include underlay, door trims, carpet grippers and laminate beading for free. Prices start from just £10 per week!
It starts with a free home appointment and quote, to get booked in at a time that suits you, tap the “Get Started” button below and fill out the contact form!
Still Got Questions? Here's 10 FAQs!
Matte laminate flooring has a low-sheen, textured finish that hides imperfections and offers better traction. Glossy laminate flooring has a high-shine, smooth surface that reflects light and provides a dramatic, polished look.
Matte laminate flooring is easier to maintain as it hides dust, dirt, and smudges better, requiring less frequent cleaning. Glossy laminate flooring shows imperfections more readily and needs more frequent cleaning to maintain its appearance.
Yes, matte laminate flooring provides better traction and is less slippery, making it a safer choice for areas prone to moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Glossy laminate flooring reflects light, brightening up rooms and making them feel more spacious and airy, which is ideal for small or dark rooms. Matte laminate flooring does not reflect light as much, creating a warmer, cosier atmosphere, suitable for well-lit rooms.
While you can use glossy laminate flooring in high-traffic areas, it may not be ideal as it shows scratches, dents, and wear more easily. Matte laminate flooring is better suited for high-traffic areas due to its ability to hide imperfections.
Glossy laminate flooring complements modern and contemporary designs with its sleek and polished look, adding elegance and brightness to the space.
Yes, matte laminate flooring works well with traditional and rustic designs, offering a natural, understated appearance that enhances the overall aesthetic.
For busy households with children and pets, matte laminate flooring is a better option due to its ability to hide scratches and dents and provide better traction.
Yes, glossy laminate flooring shows dust, dirt, and smudges more easily, requiring more frequent cleaning to keep it looking pristine.
Yes, matte laminate flooring can be used in well-lit rooms, providing a warm and cosy feel without overwhelming brightness.
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About The Author
Matt
Matt is a master at gathering relevant information and rolling it into a ball of digestibility. Fuelled by caffeine and metal bands, you'll usually find him in the office either writing blog posts with verification from our most experienced flooring fitters, creating new ad designs, working on our social media and website or finding ways to improve our customer's whole experience with us. Matt is part of the background force that keeps the Pay Weekly side of Easipay Carpets growing.