Facts About Laminate Flooring

When remodelling your home, one of the main parts to consider is the floor. This decision is not always easy, especially as we always search for a balance between price and practicality.  We want something of good quality but with a budget in mind. In our mind, the solution to this is  laminate flooring. A perfect alternative to traditional floors, laminate flooring is a great compromise as it is considerably cheaper than solid or engineered wood, but is just as visually appealing, durable and if not easier to install.

Construction:

One of the main reasons that laminate is so durable is due to the way that it is constructed. It is basically made up of four layers: backing, core, image and wear layer. The backing is the barrier between the sub floor and the rest of the layers, the core enables the floor to support the weight of the people walking on it, the image is as the word itself says, the layer that gives the wood look to the floor. The fourth one is the wear layer, it is a protective layer that avoids the flooring to fade.

Qualities:

Another appealing feature of laminate flooring is that is waterproof, meaning not only that it is resistant to any liquid spill but also that it is very easy to clean. This makes laminate one of the  few family friendly floors. And it is affordable, which makes it great for renovations on a budget. 

If you’ve already spent a lot of money on the floor itself, the last thing you want is to be worrying about it getting damaged during every day life. Fear not! Laminate is one of the easiest floors to maintain and keep clean, all it requires is regular sweeping and occasional mopping to help the floor look as good as the day it was installed.

Versatility:

Laminate flooring is often praised for it’s versatility, it is able to replicate not only different species of wood such as oak or walnut, but can also emulate the look of stone or slate tiles. This again fits perfectly with the budget aspect of things. If you would love the look of real wood or real stone in your home but struggle with the price tag, laminate makes the perfect substitute!

Installation:  

The installation of laminate flooring is among the easiest on the market, perfect for DIY amateurs and professionals alike! Unlike real wood floors you don’t have to worry about acclimatising the wood, instead you can get straight on with laying the floor and transforming your home without delay. It’s also one of the least messy installations too, no need for any glue or nails, instead laminate often comes in a ‘tongue and groove click system’. What this means is that the laminate can simply be measured and slotted into place, easy!

Allergies:

Finally, laminate is a great option for those who suffer from allergies mainly because unlike carpets, it doesn’t collect dust and is easy to just wipe clean. It is also a very sanitary product due to its locking system and plastic wear layer, creating a shield against moisture that wants to get in. It does not contract or expand like real wood does if it comes into contact with changing temperatures or excess moisture. However, if moisture does get in, or any permanent damage occurs to the surface or core-board, laminate flooring is easily replaced.

So there you have it, just a few reasons why we think laminate flooring is a fantastic flooring option for any home!