What is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring is made from a combination of different materials. It is manufactured from synthetic materials and commonly referred to floating floor. One can easily confuse it for hardwood or vinyl tiling. It is one of the popular floor furnishings in the market because it is beautiful and easy to install. It is also very easy to clean. Having the floor in your house can last from ten to fifteen years.
Common laminate floor manufacturers include brand names such as Pergo, Dupont, Mannington, Armstrong among others. As a synthetic material it is made from thin sheets of paper that have been chemically mixed with melamine.
The upper layer of laminate floor is actually a photograph of wood grain covered in a very strong transparent material. This ensures that it lasts long and preserves it from damages associated with denting, staining, fading or scratching.
The layer beneath the wood grain photograph is made of wood chip composite which is about a half inch thick in size. This material can be made of just about anything to make up a laminate floor. Usually the type of material used determines its cost. Laminate floor are available in thickness varying from six to thirteen inches wide. Thicker floors are more stable and look more like real wood.
This type of floor finishing is available as glue-on or snap-on planks depending on what you want to use. The glue on laminate planks has more defined structures and holds out moisture much better. Snap on planks are easier to install.
The floor is also available in different forms. An example is the entry level laminate wood flooring. It is designed for high traffic portions in the house. This type of floor is made of a thicker inner core to make it more stable and durable to prevent damage. There are others that are more suitable for kitchen or bathroom areas.
Effective laminate floors for such areas are available as high quality planks which have been treated with water expellant materials to improve water resistance. They also have paraffin wax impregnated joints to enhance moisture repellent action. This guards the inner core by preventing absorption of moisture which easily damages the material.
Laminate flooring is also available in a wide range of color, design and cost. This varies with different manufacturers as well as brands. This varies with different manufacturers as well as brands. You can get high quality laminate floor finishing for your house also manufactured to ensure longevity.
Since its introduction in the market in the early 1980s the floor has become one of the most commonly used finishing in homes today. Some of its benefits are that it is visually appealing as it looks like real hardwood. It is one of the easiest floors to install as one portion of your house can easily be done over a weekend. It is very easy to clean and maintain too. Another benefit is that it can last for a very long time when proper care is used on it.
