What are the pros and cons of laying laminate flooring over existing wood floors and does anyone have experience with this?
Asked by Anna Wright 
6 months ago
Last Updated: May 18, 2024
Has anyone here ever tried putting laminate flooring on top of existing wood floors? What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so?
Let’s not consider laminate for now.
I managed to do it on my own and I’m happy with the result.
The way your hardwood is installed will determine the best course of action. From the pictures, it appears to be a solid wood product, so it was probably nailed down. Laminate is a floating floor and thicker than LVP. You’ll need to cut all of your door casings, possibly even more than they are currently. It’s usually best to remove old floors before installing new ones. You might want to explore other laminate options as well. Do you know the AC rating of this particular one?
I’ve heard that one before, it’s a 3.
I wouldn’t recommend putting laminate over the wood. If I were to choose laminate for a new floor, I would definitely check out Mohawk’s RevWood line. It’s more realistic, has a higher rating, and is not much more expensive – a top-notch product.
When I moved into my house, there was already laminate laid on top of the wood. I’m okay with it for now. It’s holding up well despite having 3 dogs. Personally, I would have liked the floors to be refinished instead. Hardwood has a unique beauty to it!
Pros: designed to be placed on top of current flooring
Cons: installing laminate over genuine wood floors