Laminate flooring is one of the best selling types of floors on the market today. Although Pergo and Armstrong were once the leaders in selling laminate wood flooring, many other manufacturers have jumped on board to make their own types of laminate. Laminated flooring is understandably a great choice for homeowners as it’s affordable, easy to install and comes in a wide array of choices. Best of all, laminate is sturdy, holding up well to frequent use, scratches and dings.
It’s no surprise that laminate floors look real to the naked eye. This is because oak laminate flooring uses an innovative imaging system to bring the laminate to life. The company Pergo first started this imaging technique by taking pictures of eye-catching sections of wood, stone and ceramic flooring, and then placing these images onto floor boards and tiles. You can expect to find laminate in such patterns as oak, maple, cherry, walnut, stone, or ceramic.
Not only does laminate resemble the real thing, but it’s smart for the environment as well. Because laminate is not made from real wood, there are less trees being cut down and stored. Not to mention, using an image to recreate flooring makes manufacturing quick and easy, unlike having to wait for trees to grow and be cut down. For this reason, DIY laminate flooring is affordable and easy to find.
The reason why laminate is strong and durable is because it is coated with aluminum oxide, a finish is that is heavy duty and long lasting. In fact, this finish is so durable, it protects the pattern underneath from being damaged or worn. Laminate wood floor needs little to no maintenance to keep it looking new and you can expect it to last a very long time.
How Much Does Laminate Hardwood Flooring Cost?
Just like anything else nowadays, laminate can be purchased in-store or online. Buying in-store is beneficial because you can see the pattern and color on the laminate first hand, which is important when trying to find an exact color or match. Many stores also run specials where they sell various types of laminate flooring for sale at economical prices. Check with home improvement outlets that sell discounted flooring.
Just because you need an exact match doesn’t mean you can’t shop online, however. Most flooring companies will send you samples of their flooring upon request. This will help you to narrow down your search to a few flooring choices. Shopping online also gives you the largest selection and most reasonable prices. Of course, always check with the warranty on the plank laminate flooring before purchasing it. You want to be sure that the warranty covers the floor for at least 15 years and will replace floor boards for any premature fading or wear and tear.
With this in mind, you can expect to spend anywhere from $1.30 per square foot to nearly $5.00 per square foot. Most homeowners opt for flooring that’s middle-range, especially because there are other costs to consider. You will need to purchase an underlayment, as most floor boards do not come with this attached. The underlayment is necessary because it protects the laminate from attaining moisture and also makes the floor quieter when walking on. The better the underlayment, the more you will pay, but this is an important part to your flooring.
New Advancements Make Installation Easy
In order to keep up with the competition of selling walnut laminate floors, manufacturers have had to come up with their own innovative ideas to keep the flooring fresh and updated. One of the greatest developments to bamboo laminate flooring is the easy installation that uses snap-lock or tongue-and-groove installations. Laminate was once installed using messy glues and adhesives, making the floor hard to remove or repair if needed.
With the advancements in interlocking floor boards, laminate can be installed easily by snapping the boards into one another. Installing laminate can be done by the homeowner, saving on costs to hire a professional. Many manufacturers offer a do-it-yourself video to instruct homeowners on the installation process. That being said, the finished look and overall longevity of the flooring is dependent on the way it was installed, so be sure to hire a professional fitter if you’re not confident in doing the job yourself.
How to Care for Your Laminate Floors
With all of the advantages to pine laminate flooring, don’t forget to add that it’s easy to take care of, too. Laminate kitchen flooring does need regular maintenance, such as sweeping, vacuuming or dry mopping. Because you do not want moisture to settle between the boards, be sure not to wet mop your floors. Instead, use a laminate-safe cleaner that can be purchased at the store or through the manufacturer. The cleaner will be sprayed onto a dry cloth or mop, then used to wipe the floors clean. If you happen to spill anything, make sure to clean it up immediately to prevent the floors from warping.
