Replacing the floor covering in a home or office requires a great deal of research. There are many options, each with pros and cons. Arming yourself with a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different materials, such as laminate flooring, can help you select the best product for your home or office.
Traditional floor coverings include carpet, wood, stone, tile, and vinyl. Aside from self-adhesive vinyl squares, which tend to be short-lived, most options require professional installation and the use of slow-renewing or non-renewable natural resources, such as stone and trees. These factors generally result in higher costs. Carpets are notorious for harboring dirt, grime, and allergens. They also tend to be susceptible to staining, heavy use, and other signs of damage, just like other floor coverings. However, laminate flooring offers a wide range of advantages over these traditional materials, with minimal disadvantages for the home or business owner.
Realistic Designs
One advantage of installing laminate flooring is the wide selection of natural-looking wood, stone and tile designs. Whatever the decor, these planks create a solid foundation that will complement any architectural or interior design. Whether rich and dark, light and airy, or something in between, there are planks to match and accentuate the style and mood of any room. This is done with photographic images of wood, stone or tile that make up the design layer, beneath the scratch and stain resistant wear layer. Of course, once the planks are selected and installed, they cannot be sanded or restored, unlike natural wood. Of course, hardwood floors also require regular maintenance, like sanding and sealing, that laminate flooring never needs.
built to last
Carpets begin to clump and collect dirt and allergens the day they’re installed, while laminate flooring stays looking like new for years to come. The industry standard lifespan for these high-tech planks is 10 to 25 years, depending on the quality of the individual product, as well as care and installation. By comparison, poorly made rugs tend to only last three to five years, and high-quality rugs typically last 10 to 15 years with proper care and regular cleaning. An added advantage over other materials is its resistance to bleaching, staining, and cracking or chipping from the sun and electric light. All floors scratch over time, but laminate flooring offers the highest level of durability for the price, making it a great choice for both home and commercial applications.
easy to install
Unlike other floor coverings, laminate flooring is so easy to install that virtually anyone can do it. Typically 300 square feet can be installed in a single weekend. All that is required for installation is an uncarpeted area that is flat and clean. It can also be ordered with the underlayment fill already in place or separate from the planks. Click-lock, dry-glue design allows planks to simply snap into place. The glue is then activated with water from a damp sponge. For areas that will be exposed to above average moisture levels, planks with a moisture resistant core and waxed edges can be ordered. These materials are especially useful in kitchens, bathrooms, and bases. One downside to wood and laminate flooring is the hollow sound you hear when walking across a room. High quality padding and rugs can reduce this effect if it is considered undesirable.
kid friendly
Kids and pets can be hard on floors with all their running, jumping, and inevitable spills. While rugs absorb sound, they also absorb spilled juice, paint, food, and other messes. Laminate flooring offers a stain-resistant top layer that even protects against chemical spills. The masses clean up quickly and easily, and the smooth surface offers no hiding places for dust, dirt and allergens. This ensures that your home is healthier and easier to clean. Crayons, paint, and even magic markers may offer little or no resistance to removal.
good transitions
Each room has its own character and laminate flooring provides smooth transitions from one environment to another. Identical planks can be used throughout the building for uniformity and stability, or different style planks can be used in each room to accentuate its décor and uniqueness.
The lower purchase and installation costs and increased durability of laminate flooring make it an attractive and affordable option for homes and businesses of all sizes.