It’s become one of the most popular flooring choices in recent years, with many homeowners choosing laminate flooring over more expensive varieties. But how well do you really know laminate flooring? Here are 8 things you need to know about laminate flooring auckland before you choose it for your home.
(1) Why should I buy a laminate floor?
I know you may be wondering, Why should I buy laminate flooring? That’s a legitimate question. When it comes to the decision of what kind of floor coverings to buy, laminate flooring is a very popular option because it is a lower-cost solution.
Additionally, Laminate flooring is easy to clean, stain-resistant, water-resistant, scratch-resistant, and made from 100% renewable materials. It can be both beautiful and practical. If you are interested, you can learn more from our website.
(2) What kinds of floors can be made from laminate?
The two main types of laminate floors are floating and glued-down. Glue-down laminate is glued down onto a subfloor using an industrial-strength adhesive while floating laminate is affixed to a subfloor with flooring underlay.
Both floating and glue-down installations leave one side of each plank exposed, which makes it possible for you to install or replace individual planks as needed—floating installation also makes it easier to cut strips of wood into smaller pieces. This is helpful if you need a repair but don’t have matching planks on hand. On both kinds of installation, laminate typically goes over concrete subfloors but may be used over more fragile surfaces such as plywood or particleboard that have been glued down.
(3) How are floors rated by their thickness?
For example, standard-thickness floors measure 3/4-inch deep; some manufacturers offer floors as thin as 1/8-inch. But these numbers don’t tell you a whole lot. For instance, if one floor is 7/16-inch thick and another floor is 5/16-inch thick but has denser boards, it’s not clear that you’re getting a better product.
You really need to look at board dimensions. A 30 mm (1 1/4 inches) wide x 200 mm (8 inches) longboard will likely be sturdier than a 35 mm x 160 mm board that has a greater surface area.
(4) Laminate floors that simulate natural wood grains
The flooring industry doesn’t refer to its laminate floors as fake wood, but many consumers do. Since you’re shopping for real wood, it’s important to make sure your laminate is indistinguishable from real wood.
The best way to ensure that your new floor looks and feels like it belongs in your home is by looking for a real wood veneer texture; most manufacturers offer these types of laminates. Also look for solid construction with no visible seams or joints on any surface of a plank, even under magnification.
(5) How do I pick a color?
When picking a color for your floor, it’s important to be realistic about how that color will actually look in your home. Don’t get carried away with the color inspiration you see on Pinterest—remember, most of those rooms are professionally staged, making them look brighter and more inviting than they would in real life.
Most importantly, always do a sample board before committing. (A sample board is a bunch of swatches laid out side by side—it’s an easy way to see how colors interact.) Doing so can save you from expensive mistakes down the road.
(6) How durable are they?
Laminate floors are durable and resilient. Due to a high number of layers of wood and composite materials laminate is a very durable floor that can last for many years if properly taken care of. Many homeowners have laminate in their homes that are 15-20 years old and still look great.
Some tips on how to get more life out of your floor would be:
- Always use coasters when you set down glasses or cups
- Never sweep with a broom as it will scratch your floor (use a dust mop instead).
If done correctly you should be able to get many more years out of your laminate floor!
(7) Which surface is best on stairs?
Installing laminate flooring on stairs can be a difficult task. Since it is more vulnerable to damage than many other areas of your home. It’s best for your laminate flooring to stay away from pressure points like doorways and stairwells. But unfortunately, these areas are often necessary for basic functionality.
(8) Which type of underlayment is best?
The underlayment will depend on your intended use of laminate flooring. For example, if you’re purchasing flooring for a recreational room (like a basement), you’ll want an underlayment that can withstand moisture.
There are specialty boards available from most hardware stores that are resistant to moisture and mold growth. These boards will cost more than standard foam boards. But they’ll last longer and may ultimately be worth it in terms of durability and long-term use.