Over the past ten years or so the look and quality of laminate floors has improved dramatically and they are now beyond doubt the most popular, affordable, practical, and versatile of flooring options.
Because the surface appearance of laminate flooring is achieved by (simply put) a photographic image that’s applied to the top layer of the floor, it’s possible to achieve just about any look that you might desire. Whether your taste runs to bamboo laminate flooring, laminate wood flooring or a ceramic/tile/brick effect, it’s all achievable with laminate flooring.
One of the main advantages of laminate flooring is that you can have a floor that looks like wood, brick or ceramic without the maintenance associated with those types of floors and with much, much easier installation. Unlike virtually any other kind of flooring, laminate flooring is ready for use as soon as installation is complete.
Much more resistant to everyday wear and tear
Laminate flooring is also much more resistant to everyday wear and tear than almost any other kind of flooring. Whether it be muddy boots, pooch paws, high heels or the constant pitter-patter of tiny feet, laminate flooring is easy to maintain and highly resistant to damage without the need to re-sand/refinish or patch chips and cracks. You can be as clumsy as you like, a tile-look laminate floor won’t break when you drop your dishes on it (whoops!).
So how exactly is laminate flooring made?
Laminate flooring is constructed of several distinct layers that are fused together under extreme heat and pressure to form a permanent bond. Each layer serves a unique purpose.
The bottom, melamine layer acts as a panel stabilizer. The central layer, or core, adds thickness to the board and is profiled to allow for a locking installation. The décor layer provides the aesthetic look to the laminate. This layer can be a one strip, two strip or three strip wood look, or it can be a small square tile, large square tile, or rectangular tile design. The décor layer is beautifully captured by photographing real hardwood and stone products. Finally, the surface layer is a very durable wear layer that resists scratches and indentations.
And what about installation?
Can you install laminate floors yourself?
The short answer is yes. However, it’s vitally important that the manufacturer’s instructions on 'how to install' are followed. It isn’t a difficult process but you do need to ensure that it’s done correctly in order to get the longest possible life out of your laminate flooring and to prevent future problems. Many manufacturers can provide you with detailed videos demonstrating the installation process.
There is no doubt that laminate flooring is one the most practical flooring choices on the market today. If you want a floor that looks great, is easy to maintain and will give you many solid years of use, then laminate flooring certainly an excellent choice for you.
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