They can be found in high to low gloss or matte, with strong, scratch resistant finishes, in a variety of colors and textures, and can be installed in most areas of the home. Laminate flooring is a versatile, environmentally friendly choice that is affordable and easy to maintain. It comes in a variety of styles, such as the simulated look of hardwood, ceramic, and natural stone. Laminate flooring is reusable and offers hassle-free installation. It is able to withstand UV rays, stiletto heels, furniture legs, cleaning solutions, and much more, as the flooring is fade, chemical, burn, wear, impact, and scratch resistant. It can be installed over any existing flooring with the exception of carpet. Laminate flooring is also resistant to mold and mildew growth. Laminate flooring is usually sold in interlocking planks, which create a floating floor.
Each layer is essential for durability and is explained briefly below. Many professional companies offer their services for impeccable installation for the floors, and can also advise the best options as per the budget and personal preferences. Whatever your level of expertise, laminate wood flooring is easy to lay making it a great DIY project. With slightly different locking mechanisms both rapid fit laminate and 1clic2go laminate simply slot together, clicking into place without glue, screws or nails. No, laminate can’t be installed over an uneven subfloor because the flooring needs a flat surface to be able to sit correctly without buckling. Don’t add a moisture barrier over an existing wood floor, because it will trap moisture and damage the subfloor.
Porcelain tilesare generally comfortable, waterproof, stylish and less costly than stone or wood. When installing flooring in your home, keep in mind that some materials are better suited for certain rooms while others are not. Use this guide to help you make the best decision for your home. Cleaning hardwood floors typically requires a mop, bucket and some type of hardwood floor cleaner. Spray your cleaner on a small section of the floor, and mop in a figure-eight motion, working backward. For more tips on how to clean and maintain your concrete floors, consult with yourprofessional concrete flooring contractor. Unless you have plenty of experience installing the type of floor you want, it is worth it to hire a professional flooring specialist. Solid wood flooring is made up of 100% wood, and has a very natural look and feel.
These laminates are so convincing that many interior designers don’t catch the difference at first glance. If you take your interior décor seriously, you definitely want to find out what the trends are and what you can do with your home. It’s always a risk following trends since once out of fashion the home can look outdated. Fortunately, natural stone or wood look is a timeless style. You can install it today and still have a beautiful home 20 or 30 years down the line as long as the floor is in good condition. Below are a few trend ideas to help with your interior décor. Hardwood floors are pricey but they outlast laminate and can be refinished several times. Laminate plank technology is advanced such that most people can’t tell the difference between real wood and laminate simply by looking at it.
Finally, a top layer is added to the top of the laminate floors made of aluminum oxide to protect the laminate from stains and fading. Hardwood flooring is much more expensive than laminate and is made from natural wood. You’ll need to apply a sealant to your hardwood floors once a year to keep them protected. Laminate flooring does not require additional sealant thanks to the wear layer. You can sand and refinish hardwood floors several times if you want to change the look of your home. Laminate flooring made from engineered wood can be refinished one or two times, but any more than that will wear off the protective layer. The cost to install laminate flooring will vary depending on a variety of factors. First, you’ll need to calculate the total square footage of your home to factor in the material cost. The larger area you need to cover, the more your materials will cost. If a separate underlayment is required, be sure to factor that in as well.
With its AC3 rating, this flooring is a good choice for living rooms and other moderate traffic areas of the house. Laminate flooring is never recommended in the bathroom as high levels of moisture can cause significant damage over time. We do have Aquastep that is a perfect choice for bathrooms. As far as maintenance is concerned, the tile vs. laminate debate is pretty much even. Sure, tile does take a bit more care and consideration, but it’s also much easier to repair if anything happens to it. While tile might be more expensive to install, it does have a much higher long-term value. Laminate can’t be refinished, meaning that when it’s worn out, you’ll need to replace it (every 10–25 years or so on average). If you are sensitive to dust and odors, good ventilation should be established for 48 to 72 hours after installation.
For homeowners wanting to find a stylish flooring solution that leaves room in the remodeling budget, laminate flooring is the way to go. Because of how many wood types, colors and textures laminate flooring comes in, you can easily find something that matches your home’s architecture and your own personal style. For homeowners that don’t want to spend a lot of time maintaining their flooring, laminate is an excellent alternative to real wood floors. You can either use a laminate floor cleaner or a slightly damp mop to keep them looking as good as new. Laminate flooring is designed to click together, and that makes it great for DIY projects and house flipping. It’s also designed to float, by which we mean it is not actually attached to your sub-floor. If you’ve got concrete stairs to cover, the laminate must be glued down using high-quality construction glue. A floating installation is not secure enough for stairs, and flooring coming loose might lead to falls. Laminate flooring is designed for quick-and-easy click-together floating-floor installation.
Vinyl flooring has a wider range of lifespan, depending on the type installed. Any type of glue down vinyl can last up to 50 years because the glue tends to harder with age. Interlock vinyl lasts about 15 to 20 years when well maintained. Vinyl is not affected by water or moisture and can be used in bathrooms and basements without issue. Concerns exist about emissions of volatile organic compounds from PVC products including vinyl flooring. Floorscore® IAQ certification was developed by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute and rates these VOC emissions. The thickness of the laminate sheet is customizable, which means that choosing thicker planks as a durable option is advisable. installing laminate flooring is done correctly, taking into consideration how much traffic the floor received, these floors have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. cheap laminate flooring is made from four different layers that have been fused with intense pressure and extremely high heat.
This should be done by professionals since there are a limited number of times a hardwood floor can be resanded. Most floors wear down after three or four sandings, so use discretion when choosing this method. Solid hardwood flooring is a highly attractive, premium building material that has undeniable prestige. Even cheaper species of real hardwood are usually more attractive than laminate’s artificial premium species. Laminate flooring is manufactured by starting with a core layer of fiberboard made of wood byproducts. Over this is a design layer that is printed to resemble wood or other material.
We also specialize in Staircases, Custom Flooring, Moldings, Back-Splashes, Custom Tile Showers, Quartz, Granite, and more. Because laminate is especially susceptible to moisture damage, place a layer of plastic sheeting over the subfloor, allowing approximately 2” of overage on all sides. Tape the excess material to the wall using masking or painter’s tape. A design layer of high-resolution photos of real wood that is reproduced with sophisticated printing techniques. For this reason, homeowners are recommended to keep rooms with new carpet installations well-ventilated for at least 72 hours, post-installation. Vacuuming a new carpet with a HEPA filter vac and using hot water extraction cleaners can help remove VOCs. Though there are more green carpeting options available that use renewable materials and avoid dangerous chemicals, these options come at a premium price. VOCs can be released for up to 5 years, though this chemical release, known as off-gassing, lessens with time. Laminate flooring tends to be easier to clean than carpet and is thus considered more hygienic and hypoallergenic. Using laminate or hardwood on stairs can increase the risk of tumbles because the stairs become more slippery.
A 200-square-foot living area will cost approximately $1,000 to $2,600 for tile installation or $400 to $1,600 for laminate installation. Installing tile is more expensive since the process is more labor intensive and exacting. The costs may be justified, however, because tile flooring increases a home’s resale value, but laminate flooring does not. When new floors are installed, they can off-gas volatile organic chemicals which are harmful to both people and pets. While both laminate and vinyl go through an off-gassing period, it’s generally a bit easier to find non-toxic laminate flooring than it is to find low-VOC vinyl flooring. As far as hardwood floor alternatives go, luxury vinyl plank and laminate floors are much easier to care for. Laminate is a little fussier, but neither choice comes close to how difficult it can be to properly care for real wood.
All things considered, the laminate is an affordable alternative to real stone or wood. This brand scored excellent marks on installation due to its Uniclick system. DIY installers especially love how simple, quick and easy it is to install this brand. It’s no surprise since Turtle Bay’s original owner; the Belgian Unilin introduced this system to the market. The laminate products are available in a variety of finishes, thickness, and widths. Armstrong’s floorboards are some of the easiest and quickest to install owing to its patented locking system. We liked the brand also branches out to trimmings and finishes which match their flooring so you can have a uniform interior design.
Laminate floors have been sold in Europe for over 20 years. Durability, design and installation ease have made it a popular choice in America since 1996. The biggest advantage of laminate flooring products is that they are built for today’s active households. The advantages of low maintenance and the wide range of design will continue to propel the growth of a very remarkable product. Technological advancements have allowed laminate flooring to look and feel like natural hardwood floors. Often, the top layer of laminate flooring is a thin piece of natural hardwood. Which means you can feel and see the actual texture of natural wood.