Why Choose Laminate Flooring?

Hardwood flooring is incredibly beautiful and long lasting.  However, it can also be very expensive and it can be difficult to maintain through the years.  Laminate flooring gives you the look of hardwood flooring without the high price and maintenance requirements.  What is laminate flooring?  What does it offer the average homeowner?  Why should you consider installing this type of flooring in your home?

Laminate flooring is exactly what it sounds like.  It is built up of layers (usually 2) of material and topped with an image of your desired floor. In addition, laminate flooring can resemble almost any type of flooring that you might want. You are free to choose the look of exotic hardwoods, domestic hardwoods, softer woods like pine and you can even choose finishes that look just like stone or tile.  The image used to top the laminate is of supremely high quality and most are textured appropriately.  In short, unless you look very, very closely, it can be hard to tell the difference between laminate flooring and the real thing.

Additionally, laminate flooring is easy to install.  In fact, many homeowners choose to install this type of flooring on their own.  Glue-free laminate flooring uses tongue and grove techniques to hold together, eliminating the need to glue down the laminate.  In addition, some types of laminate flooring are available with the underlayment already attached – just cut the pieces to fit and place them on the floor!  Of course, glue down laminate flooring is still widely available.  This type can offer benefits in terms of durability for many homeowners.  Choose from flooring with adhesive already on the back of the flooring or spread the glue yourself.

However, before you rush out to buy your new flooring, you should know what type you need.  Anything labeled as "light residential" should not be put down in any area that will see even light traffic.  General residential flooring can handle the average traffic in a household, while residential/light commercial laminate flooring can stand up to anything you care to dish out.