Laminate flooring has become one of the most popular types of flooring for the home. In just ten years this product has become the trendsetter among floor coverings. The first laminate flooring product came on the market in Sweden in 1989. Pergo brought laminate to the United States in 1994 and now shares the market with over 40 other brands. This article will introduce you to laminate floors, so that you can decide whether it's right for your home.
Laminate flooring is not only durable, it's easy to maintain. Vacuuming and wiping with a damp mop is all you need to keep it looking good. Laminate flooring is also scratch-resistant, and nearly stain-proof. It is largely unaffected by sunlight and moisture.
As its name implies, laminate flooring is composed of different layers, or laminae. The top, or wear layer, is composed of aluminum oxide, which provides a protective layer against abrasion and stains. Next comes a thin design layer that displays the look of the flooring. It may be a thin strip of actual wood, or more likely a photographic image of wood, stone, or whatever the floor is supposed to mimic. The inner core is high density fiber or wood-chip board impregnated with a plastic resin for strength and moisture resistance. And finally, there is a backing layer made of resin-saturated paper for a moisture barrier to prevent warping.
Laminate flooring is easy enough so that most do-it-yourselfers can install it correctly, with some advance preparation. First of all, plastic sheeting is put down on the sub-floor, and then covered with a layer of foam. This acts not only as a moisture-proof barrier, but adds sound-proofing and smooths out slight irregularities in the sub-floor itself. The planks are fitted together using tongue-and-groove, and sometimes need glue as well.
Laminate floors come in many different colors and styles, so you can find just the right look to complement your interior decor. It can be made to look like stone, hardwood, ceramic flooring, or tile, but at a much lower cost. Laminate flooring is sold as square tiles or as thin 8-inch boards in 3/8 inch or even 1/2 inch thicknesses. The planks can be shown as one, two, or three strips in each panel. There may also be a choice of square or beveled edges, and a choice of surface finishes.
In addition to its different looks, laminate flooring comes in different grades. Choose flooring that is rated for hard residential to medium commercial use. Anything more durable is probably not necessary for home installation. Also try to get at least a 15-year warranty against wear, fading and staining. Even better, some warranties also cover accidental moisture damage, just in case your refrigerator develops a leak. 10-year warranties are usually only given for "low-end" materials, which will usually also be less scratch-resistant -- damage that is not covered.
Since laminate flooring is such a recently-introduced material, you should probably purchase it from one of the larger manufacturers. You can be certain that they will stand behind their product if you have any trouble. Search for a company on the internet. Investigate customer feedback - very useful in giving you insight into what other floor installers have experienced.
Now that you know more about what laminate flooring is and what your options are, you should find it easier to decide. So take that big step, buy it, install it, and your new laminate flooring will become the centerpiece of your home decorating project.
Laminate flooring is not only durable, it's easy to maintain. Vacuuming and wiping with a damp mop is all you need to keep it looking good. Laminate flooring is also scratch-resistant, and nearly stain-proof. It is largely unaffected by sunlight and moisture.
As its name implies, laminate flooring is composed of different layers, or laminae. The top, or wear layer, is composed of aluminum oxide, which provides a protective layer against abrasion and stains. Next comes a thin design layer that displays the look of the flooring. It may be a thin strip of actual wood, or more likely a photographic image of wood, stone, or whatever the floor is supposed to mimic. The inner core is high density fiber or wood-chip board impregnated with a plastic resin for strength and moisture resistance. And finally, there is a backing layer made of resin-saturated paper for a moisture barrier to prevent warping.
Laminate flooring is easy enough so that most do-it-yourselfers can install it correctly, with some advance preparation. First of all, plastic sheeting is put down on the sub-floor, and then covered with a layer of foam. This acts not only as a moisture-proof barrier, but adds sound-proofing and smooths out slight irregularities in the sub-floor itself. The planks are fitted together using tongue-and-groove, and sometimes need glue as well.
Laminate floors come in many different colors and styles, so you can find just the right look to complement your interior decor. It can be made to look like stone, hardwood, ceramic flooring, or tile, but at a much lower cost. Laminate flooring is sold as square tiles or as thin 8-inch boards in 3/8 inch or even 1/2 inch thicknesses. The planks can be shown as one, two, or three strips in each panel. There may also be a choice of square or beveled edges, and a choice of surface finishes.
In addition to its different looks, laminate flooring comes in different grades. Choose flooring that is rated for hard residential to medium commercial use. Anything more durable is probably not necessary for home installation. Also try to get at least a 15-year warranty against wear, fading and staining. Even better, some warranties also cover accidental moisture damage, just in case your refrigerator develops a leak. 10-year warranties are usually only given for "low-end" materials, which will usually also be less scratch-resistant -- damage that is not covered.
Since laminate flooring is such a recently-introduced material, you should probably purchase it from one of the larger manufacturers. You can be certain that they will stand behind their product if you have any trouble. Search for a company on the internet. Investigate customer feedback - very useful in giving you insight into what other floor installers have experienced.
Now that you know more about what laminate flooring is and what your options are, you should find it easier to decide. So take that big step, buy it, install it, and your new laminate flooring will become the centerpiece of your home decorating project.
About the Author:
Would you like to install quality flooring, but don't have an unlimited budget? Ezra's website on cheap flooring will help you to locate good discount flooring for your home decorating project. Find out where to buy top grade laminate flooring at the best price.
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