Laminate Value Wood Floors
Value laminate flooring mimics the look of traditional woods while offering easy installation and lasting durability. Hallways, foyers and family spaces, bathrooms and kitchens are all suitable candidates for laminate flooring. Where hardwood floors are forever being protected from sand, spills, and muddy pets, laminates are made to handle the rigors of an active home.
At first glance, it can be difficult to spot the difference between hardwoods and laminate flooring. What appears to be a natural wood grain pattern is really a thin layer of decor paper (a photographic image) under a tough-as-nails protective film that is glued and pressed to a high-density backing board.
The flooring material is made in one of two ways. High-pressure laminate, or HPL, uses a two-step process. First, the decor paper, protective film, and core materials are joined using heat and pressure. These layers are then adhered to a high-density fiberboard backing piece. The second process is called direct laminate, or DL, where all the layers joined in a single pressing. Direct laminates tend to be thinner and work better where transitions between different flooring materials are an issue, like where the laminate floor meets a tile, carpet, or vinyl floor. High-pressure laminates have more layers and glued surfaces, which in some cases provides a more stable material over time.
A Durable Option
The type of traffic a floor will be subjected to is a main factor to consider when choosing a flooring material. Durability is laminate flooring's biggest asset. Because of the high-density backing board, laminates are resistant to gouges and punctures. Stains and scuffs have a hard time penetrating the high-pressure laminate coating. Sliding chairs and dropped pots and pans that will quickly add “character” to wood floors have little affect on laminates.
Laminate flooring can be installed over many existing floors, including wood, tile, vinyl, and linoleum. Most laminate flooring systems are floating, which means they do not fasten directly to the subfloor (the existing flooring material) with nails or glue. Rather, they utilize an interlocking system that is held together without any adhesive.
Cost and Scheduling
Value laminates start from as little as £3.87 per square metre. With laminates, the wood character comes from a photographic image, so they are about the same price for any grain or finish option.
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Trim and Style Options
Like hardwoods, there are many different types of trim and transition pieces available for laminate floors. Transition strips, end caps, stair nosings, moldings, and baseboards are all available for a most effective finish.
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Flooring installation is one of the later phases in a typical remodeling project. Real wood stock should be in the room where it will be used at least seven days prior to installation. This allows the wood to acclimate to the average moisture content and heat of the house. If material is laid too early, it can dry and shrink and the joints between boards will open up. Laminates only need to be on site a couple of days prior to installation.
Maintenance and Repair
Laminate floors require very little maintenance. The material handles surface moisture well, but if the core material gets wet it can expand and damage the flooring. In bathrooms and kitchens, make sure that surface water is wiped up after spills and over spray. Unlike hardwood, laminate does not require sanding and refinishing every few years. Routine cleaning with a vacuum or damp mop is all that is needed. The process for repairing damaged boards is similar to that of hardwood. Precision cutting and fitting is required, so a professional should be hired to replace any damaged pieces.
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