Laminate flooring was originally introduced in the United States in 1994 by Pergo. They made a deal with Home Depot, and a combined advertising effort then made it highly successful. Other manufacturers began producing their own versions of laminate flooring, so that nowadays the choice is quite confusing. This report will help you to make a decision.
Laminate flooring is highly stain resistant and requires very little maintenance, allowing you time for more productive activities. Just sweep the floor daily with a soft brush, and damp mop when needed. Waxing is not necessary. Laminate flooring will never fade, even in direct sunlight.
As its name indicates, laminate flooring is composed of different layers, or laminae. The top, or wear layer, consists of aluminum oxide, which provides a protective layer against scratches and stains. Next comes a thin design layer which 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 designed to mimic. The inner core is a dense fiber or wood-chip board saturated with a plastic resin for strength and moisture resistance. And finally, there is a backing layer made of resin-saturated paper for a barrier to moisture 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 provides 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 a variety of different colors and styles, so you can choose just the right look to go with your interior decor. It can be made to simulate stone, hardwood, ceramic flooring, or tile, but at a much cheaper cost. Laminate flooring is available as square tiles or as thin 8-inch boards in 3/8 inch or even 1/2 inch thicknesses. The boards can be shown as one, two, or three strips per panel. You may also have 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, stains, and fading. Even better, some warranties also cover accidental moisture damage, just in case your refrigerator develops a leak. 10-year warranties are usually given only for "low-end" materials, which will usually also be less scratch-resistant -- one thing that is not covered.
When choosing a manufacturer, it is wise to pick one of the well-known brand names or distributors. They will be more likely to stand behind their product, as they have a reputation to maintain. Visit their website, and pay close attention to customer feedback, which is becoming an important tool in making a decision on the quality of laminated flooring being offered.
When you have finally decided what type of laminate flooring to get and where to buy it, then go ahead. Buy your materials, install the floor, and finish your decorating project. Now when your friends and neighbors compliment you on your new room, you'll know that you made the right choice. - 16035
Laminate flooring is highly stain resistant and requires very little maintenance, allowing you time for more productive activities. Just sweep the floor daily with a soft brush, and damp mop when needed. Waxing is not necessary. Laminate flooring will never fade, even in direct sunlight.
As its name indicates, laminate flooring is composed of different layers, or laminae. The top, or wear layer, consists of aluminum oxide, which provides a protective layer against scratches and stains. Next comes a thin design layer which 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 designed to mimic. The inner core is a dense fiber or wood-chip board saturated with a plastic resin for strength and moisture resistance. And finally, there is a backing layer made of resin-saturated paper for a barrier to moisture 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 provides 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 a variety of different colors and styles, so you can choose just the right look to go with your interior decor. It can be made to simulate stone, hardwood, ceramic flooring, or tile, but at a much cheaper cost. Laminate flooring is available as square tiles or as thin 8-inch boards in 3/8 inch or even 1/2 inch thicknesses. The boards can be shown as one, two, or three strips per panel. You may also have 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, stains, and fading. Even better, some warranties also cover accidental moisture damage, just in case your refrigerator develops a leak. 10-year warranties are usually given only for "low-end" materials, which will usually also be less scratch-resistant -- one thing that is not covered.
When choosing a manufacturer, it is wise to pick one of the well-known brand names or distributors. They will be more likely to stand behind their product, as they have a reputation to maintain. Visit their website, and pay close attention to customer feedback, which is becoming an important tool in making a decision on the quality of laminated flooring being offered.
When you have finally decided what type of laminate flooring to get and where to buy it, then go ahead. Buy your materials, install the floor, and finish your decorating project. Now when your friends and neighbors compliment you on your new room, you'll know that you made the right choice. - 16035
About the Author:
Are you interested in installing 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 lowest price.
