Laminate Flooring

If you have been in a newly built or remodeled home recently, you have probably come across laminate flooring. Laminate flooring is a type of flooring that is highly durable and attractive. Most laminate flooring looks like wood flooring, which is part of the reason for its popularity. You can also find laminate floor options that resemble tile or even stone.

Laminate flooring, although it resembles its stone or wood counterparts, actually works like a very precise photograph. The floor is one big picture, covered with a strong, durable plastic. It is available as either glued or unglued flooring. Many homeowners are taking advantage of the easy to install snap together laminate wood floor choices that are currently available.

Many laminate flooring brands come with excellent warranties. This is possible because the flooring is so durable that it can withstand the wear and tear of the busiest families. These warranties are important, because you cannot repair laminate flooring the way you do wood flooring. The only repair option is to replace damaged planks. However, many homeowners feel that the warranty makes this worth the risk, and replacing a plank or two is not difficult if it becomes necessary.

The layers of the flooring are what make it so durable. The top layer, which laminate wood flooring companies commonly refer to the as the wear or outer layer, is the most durable layer. This layer is made out of materials that help it to shine. It is also coated with a clear finish. A common top layer is cellulose paper that has been soaked in melamine plastic resins. This material resists scratches incredibly well.

The second layer of laminate wood flooring, the design layer, is the photograph of the flooring design. This is a printed cellulose paper. While not incredibly durable, it is protected by the wear layer above. This paper does not fade and is what gives laminate wood floor its realistic appearance.

The core is the third layer. This is what makes the floor stable. Typically, laminate flooring contains fiberboard as the core. The core is treated to help it resist moisture. Better quality laminate flooring will have a thicker core than the less quality counterparts. The thicker and better treated the core is, the less likely the floor will be to buckle over time.

The final layer is the back of the laminate floor. This is what will touch the underlayment, which is placed between the laminate floor and the floorboards. Resin saturated paper that is treated to help improve moisture resistance is a common backing material.

Underlayment is an important part of the laminate flooring picture. This is not a required part of installing laminate floor, but it is highly recommended. Underlayment is used in floating floors, which are floors that are not glued to the floorboards. Many do it yourselfers will install floating floors, thus necessitating underlayment. Underlayment helps reduce noise once the floor is installed. In addition, underlayment helps even out any irregularities in the sub floor. As older homes settle, the floorboards also settle, creating irregularities that can cause bubbles and gaps in the flooring after it is installed.

Underlayment is important to help resist moisture as well. Moisture that comes from the floorboards will destroy your laminate flooring. This is particularly dangerous if you are installing the flooring on concrete, such as in basements or houses that are built on slabs.

Most laminate floors are installed with foam underlayment. This does not provide moisture control, however. Moisture-proof underlayment is required in situations when moisture could be a problem. A combo underlayment is a good choice when moisture and noise are both problematic. It combines foam with waterproof underlayment. Cork underlayment is the most expensive option, but it provides the best sound reduction and moisture resistance of the four choices.

When installing laminate flooring in your home, one thing you will have to consider is the type of floor moldings you will use. Moldings are the trim pieces or the transition strips that you will place between changes in floors, such as when you switch from a laminate floor to a carpet. Most of the laminate floor moldings cost about the same amount, so you will need to choose the right one for your particular preference and needs, because your budget will not be a problem.

If you are transitioning between two rooms that use two different floorings, even two different types of laminate floor, you will need to use T-moldings. These work when the floors are the same height and create a pretty transition between the two. You can often see these in doorways.

Often your floors are not going to be the same height, particularly when transitioning between laminate floor and carpeting. End molding or carpet reducer moldings work well for this situation. However, if the height difference is too distinct, you will face problems creating a transition.

Another place where you will use moldings is at the edge of the laminate flooring where it meets the wall. To bridge this, you will want to purchase baseboard moldings. These often come in beautiful styles to create the finishing look for your flooring.

There are many benefits of choosing laminate flooring for your home. First, this is one of the most durable floorings you can purchase. If you have ever owned linoleum flooring, you know that many floorings fade when exposed to light. The way laminate flooring is created makes it resistant to UV light.

Another benefit of choosing a laminate floor for your home is the fact that it is something you can install yourself, if you so choose. This can save you money on your remodeling project. In addition, the warranties that come with almost all laminate floor products make it a good investment.

While you cannot repair scratches or damage on the floor, which are rare, you can repair the floor by replacing a plank or two. Since the floor will not fade, you will not have to worry about a contrast between the new piece and the old pieces. In addition, because laminate flooring comes in planks, you can replace just the damaged area without having to replace the whole floor. Finally, because just about, anything can be photographed and laminate flooring is basically a photograph, the design options are endless! You can create whatever look you want in your home with a laminate floor, and it will last for years!

You have another choice to make when installing laminate flooring. You have to decide if you want a floor that is glued or not glued. Most of the do it yourselfers go with the non-glued option because it is easier to install. However, glued options do have some benefits as well, and they are not impossible to install on your own if you wish.

There is little difference between the durability of the two types of laminate flooring. Installing laminate flooring without any glue is easier, but you still have to be very fastidious when installing your flooring. The pieces snap together with pre-made grooves that make it simple to install. They actually lock together until the room is covered.

So are there benefits to using glue? Some say that glued laminate flooring is more durable in rooms where moisture could be a problem. However, newer laminate wood flooring options have better moisture barriers, and if they are installed correctly, moisture is rarely a problem. Glued flooring is more difficult to replace, because the pieces are permanently attached, so they have to be sawed off if you need to replace a piece. If you choose to use glued flooring, you may want to have a professional help with the installation to ensure that you do not make a mistake, because mistakes are difficult to fix once the glue dries.

Of course, one of the benefits of choosing laminate flooring is the fact that you can install it yourself easily. Be sure to plan plenty of time for the installation, because it requires patience. The first step is deciding which direction to lay the planks. Most professionals advise running the planks parallel to the light or doorways, but be sure to consider where your hallways are, as the planks should always run parallel to the walls of the hallway.

Next, take measurements, focusing on the width of the room that you are starting in, because you want to make sure that you are not shortchanging yourself on one end. You do not want any row to have a length of less than two inches at an end. This will allow you to decide whether or not you want to shorten the first row as you begin installing laminate flooring planks.

The underlayment is next. This gets placed on the sub flooring. It is crucial to make sure there are no wrinkles in the underlayment. Then, cut the planks that you need to cut, and begin installing. You will find it is easiest to cut the planks using a miter saw. If you are using glue, apply it in the joints and then carefully wipe up the excess with a rag. The last row needs to be installed tightly, so use a pull bar.

While installing laminate flooring is definitely something the average do it yourselfer can do, you can hire a professional to do the work if you desire. While this will add cost to your project, it can help take some of the stress away. In addition, you may find that you simply do not have the time to devote to the project. Instead of having your home in ruins for weeks as you work on the project, you can have it done in a few days with a professional's help.

If you decide to use laminate flooring that is glued to the sub floor, you will want to seriously consider hiring a professional, as this is a task that is often difficult for homeowners to do correctly. If you choose to hire a professional, take some time to get references from previous customers. Choose a professional that has a reasonable rate but good references. Also, find out if you can purchase the materials, or if the professional will do this. Sometimes you can save money by purchasing your own supplies when they go on sale, rather than relying on the professional to shop for the best deals.

The biggest reason you probably chose installing laminate flooring over other flooring options is because of the durability of the product. However, you will still need to take care of your flooring in order to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. Laminate wood floor is easy to care for, and proper care will keep it lovely for many years.

Large grains of sand or gravel can scratch laminate flooring, in spite of its durability. This means that you need to clean these quickly if they get on your floor. In addition, small grains of sand should be cleaned quickly to protect the flooring. Moisture can eventually damage your laminate flooring, no matter how moisture resistant the materials are. Be sure to clean any spills or drips as quickly as possible.

If you find any stains on your laminate flooring, clean them with acetone or a cleaning product that was approved by the manufacturer. Sweep your floor regularly, and use a damp mop without soap to clean on a regular basis. Avoid allowing standing water to stay on your laminate flooring. If you properly maintain your laminate floor using these tips, it can last for your lifetime. You will probably tire of the color before the floor wears out! This is not a problem, though, because laminate flooring is as easy to replace as it is to install. When you are ready for a new look, simply choose a new laminate floor and start installing!