Choice, variety and affordability are driving the popularity of laminate flooring. While it is not generally accepted to be as good as real hardwood flooring, its look is getting closer. |
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Manufactures of laminate flooring have made their products appear more realistic with beveled and tapered edges and by etching the surface of the wear layer with natural-looking textured patterns. Improved laminate technology has made the wear layer stronger, and the mechanical joints dry fitting and more water resistant. The ever-expanding options in style and color has also contributed favorably to laminate flooring sales. In fact, your laminate floor could look like exotic hardwood, granite, ceramic tile, limestone, or even grass. |
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The Layers of Laminate Flooring |
1)The Backing: The bottom layer of laminate flooring is called the backing or balancing layer. By resisting moisture that could come from below this backing layer makes the product more stable and is often made from melamine. |
2) The Core: The core of a piece of laminate is also known as the carrier board. This dense inner core, the board's chief support, is a high-density fiberboard. In the case of engineered flooring, this layer is real wood.
3) The Photo Layer: This layer is a photographic image of real product such as hardwood or tile.
4) The Wear Layer: Most commonly made from melamine, this clear layer protects the underlying photo layer, making it strong and durable. This layer is often infused with aluminum oxide to make the melamine more long-wearing. |
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Get Laminate Samples |
It is equally as vital to compare the look and feel of laminate samples. There is no substitute for personally determining how realistic a sample looks. It is best to bring samples of laminate home from flooring supply stores to see which will work the best in your home.
If you are looking at samples of laminate flooring from online retailers be sure to order samples of the products you are considering. The color of the laminate flooring may look different then what you expected after seeing it online. But, better to be disappointed with a sample than an entire order. People are often surprised by how different each laminate sample feels and looks when they have them in their hands.
Color, style, grain - it's all a matter of personal choice. Buy the best quality laminate that you can afford. |
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Laminate Flooring Thickness |
The thickness of laminate flooring varies. Generally speaking the range in thickness is from 1/4 inch (or 6mm) to 1/3 inch (or 12mm). So, you may wonder, if the laminate is thicker, does that mean that it is better? Not necessarily, a thicker laminate could be manufactured with lower quality materials. To compare quality, check the swell rate of the laminate on the box. If it's not on the box, chances are the manufacturer doesn't want you to know what it is. The maximum allowable moisture swell is 18%. To get a better quality laminate look for one that has a 13% swell rate or lower. |
That being said, a certain amount of thickness is required to ensure that your laminate pieces do not cup. Planks that are below 5/16 inch (or 8mm) will lack sufficient stability. A thicker, higher quality laminate will also sound less hollow than a thin laminate. A good quality underlayment is also key to eliminating the hollow sound that some complain about with laminate floors. So, besides checking the swell rate look for a laminate that offers a strong wear layer. |
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Laminate - A Floating Floor |
Laminate flooring is a floating floor because it is not glued or nailed to the subfloor. The planks are engineered with mechanical joints that snap the pieces together. Look for laminates with a well designed joint that will lock the planks together snuggly allowing the joints to be water resistant. Underlayment provides a smooth, level surface for the laminate to "float" on top of. These glueless laminates are easier and less messy to install. You can even lift the laminate planks up and move them should you need to. |
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Laminate Trims and Moldings |
Use the appropriate strips and moldings that coordinate with your laminate to finish off the floor. There is quarter-round for the perimeter of the room. Quarter-round should be attached to the wall so that the laminate will have room to expand with changes in temperature or humidity. There is also T-molding. T-molding is used as a transition in doorways when the flooring is the same thickness. When the laminate is higher than another kind of flooring a reducer strip can be used. End molding, on the other hand, can be used when the laminate is butting up to higher floor, threshold or carpet. |
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Professional Laminate Flooring Installation |
Once you've researched and selected the best laminate wood flooring that fits your budget, you will want to have the job done right! Improperly laid, laminate flooring can look cheap and ugly. Gaps and spaces will stand out and allow water to penetrate. For peace of mind get help from our professional flooring contractors! |
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