Laminate flooring imitates the aspect of traditional wood. Their
biggest advantage is that they are very easy to install and very
durable. Laminate floorings are suitable for many of your rooms:
hallways, family spaces, bathrooms, kitchens. Also, they are perfect for
an active home.
At first look, laminate flooring seems to be a natural wood floor,
but in fact is a layer of paper under a tough protective film that is
glued and pressed to a high-density backing board. There are also types
of laminate planks that are installed over a moisture barrier which
levels any uneven areas of the floor. You don't need any glue or nails
for them because the planks snap together.
Before choosing a laminate flooring material you should think about
the type of traffic in your house. One other advantage for laminate
flooring is the durability. So this type of floor is one of the best
choices for households with heavy foot traffic, kids, or pets. But, best
of all, laminates will look like new for years.
Laminates are also highly resistant to stains, fading and moisture
and many laminate flooring manufacturers offer warranty protection for a
long period of time (usually from 10 to 25 years).
If you already have a floor, this doesn't represents a problem.
Laminate flooring can be installed over floors like wood, tile, vinyl or
linoleum. Most of them are floating, which means they do not fasten
directly to the sub floor. Also, currently, many manufacturers offer
snap-together laminate flooring systems.
A typical laminate flooring is and extremely economical solution, if
you take into consideration the costs of alternate flooring solutions.
Solid hardwood floors will require 4-5 refinishing and carpets and
vinyl's will need to be replaced at least twice (depending on traffic
loads), while laminates don't require anything.
Laminates come in different styles and types. You can find transition
strips, end caps, stair nosing, moldings and baseboards.
Laminate flooring provides a much cleaner and healthier living
environment when compared to other floorings such as carpets, with
regular cleaning cycles. It accumulates less dust, pet dander, allergens
and it doesn't hold residual stain contaminants on the surface. Allergic
people will often be recommended to remove the carpets from the living
space.
In conclusion laminate floors are a very good choice for your home
because there are durable, resistant, economical and easy to install.
