Laminate Flooring Basics

A homeowner interested in acquiring the warmth of all-natural flooring materials such as hardwood, or even some stone, can turn to the less expensive options available in laminate flooring.

Not only does laminate flooring provide significant financial savings, in some cases it is far more durable and long lasting than the materials it is emulating. This is because it is a multi-layered material that combines several products to create the strongest finish possible.

Available as planks, tiles and strips, laminate flooring can be installed directly on top of an existing floor and is a project for “do it yourself” types or for professional installation. It can be completely installed without glue or nails if that is desired, and usually takes only a short time to complete.

Additionally, the major laminate flooring manufacturers will generally provide long or even lifetime warrantees on their products, particularly when installed by a flooring professional, which further proves their durability.

Some may ask if laminate flooring is as attractive as wood or stone flooring, and the honest answer is that many manufacturers are producing products that are hard to differentiate from “the real thing”. The benefit is that the flooring will offer good looks, lower cost and easier installation.

How do you select laminate flooring? To make the best choice a consumer should understand their budget limitations, the exact use the floor will serve and the design choices they desire. For example, if a consumer would like to install laminate flooring in their kitchen they will have to make sure they choose the correct “grade”. Currently laminate is available in five separate grades which are divided by their abilities to perform well against moisture and liquid, heat, abrasion and impact. So, for a kitchen a consumer may want to opt for a heavy residential or even commercial laminate.

They will also need to select the color/stain; style and finish desired and ensure that it is installed in the best manner possible for a kitchen. This means purchasing a product that offers a warrantee on kitchen installation and joining all boards with the best glue or adhesives for a damp environment.