Photos By: Freepik

Flooring is a term used to describe the kind of material or boards with which a floor is made. It describes the way a floor is covered. Alternatively, it can be referred to as floor covering which is a term that describes a finish material that is applied over a floor.

One of the defining features of any home is its flooring. Good flooring helps the house look inviting and beautiful. There are several types of flooring. These include carpet, porcelain or natural stone tile, laminate, vinyl and hardwood. For this article, we will be focusing on laminate flooring.

What is Laminate Flooring?

This is a type of floor covering that imitates hardwood and creates a natural impression that is quite close to hardwood but is less costly. The material used as a laminate is a multi-layer synthetic product that is fused via a process of lamination. The inner layer is made up of melamine resin as well as fiberboard.

Laminate flooring is easy to install as it requires little skill for its installation. It is also easy to maintain than most conventional floor coverings. You can read more about this here.

What Laminate is Made of

Laminate flooring material consists of four distinct layers that are fused together with intense pressure and heat and serve different purposes. These layers are:

The wear layer is the topmost layer. It is clear and is made with aluminum oxide which helps to preserve it from stains, fading as well as surface burns.

The design layer is just above the core layer and it has a high-resolution image of the appearance of the floor’s surface.

The core layer consists of a durable and high-density fiberboard layer. This helps to protect against indentations and moisture. This layer is above the back layer.

The back layer is the bottom layer and it protects the plank from moisture and it helps to balance the floor.

Benefits of Laminate Flooring

Over the years, laminate flooring has advanced from what it used to be as a cheap plastic-like alternative to hardwood. Now, it comes with high-definition imaging, better seaming and deeper embossing. Below are a few of the benefits of using it.

It Has An Appealing Look

Hardwood floors typically look classy. They make a space look richer and attractive and because laminate imitates this and looks like genuine wood, it is also classy and attractive. Most times, you cannot tell them apart as they look a lot like genuine wood. They also come in several options so you can find one with the kind of quality and look that you want.

Affordability

The affordability of laminate is one thing that makes it so desirable. In comparison to hardwood, it is less costly. For people on a budget but still wish to have that aesthetically pleasing look, it offers a viable alternative without them having to overshoot their budget.

Most times, it can cost as much as 50% less than genuine hardwood. This means you will have more money to use on other areas of your construction project.

Durability

Another huge benefit of this kind of flooring is its durability. Other types of flooring may fade due to sunlight but with the aluminum oxide coating in the top layer, it can withstand this. It also comfortably withstands any scratches, stains, discoloration and dents. This makes it good and safe for homes that have kids and dogs.

Easy to Maintain

When natural hardwood is exposed to water or moisture, it may warp and crack but laminate is not so. It is resistant to moisture and easy to clean. Most times you only need to vacuum and sweep it to maintain it and when there is a spill, you just simply wipe it. It does not require any waxing or varnishing.

Some other benefits include:

• It is easily adaptable to subfloors
• It is termite safe
• It is hypoallergenic and
• It comes in a variety of styles.

You can read more about its advantages here.

Conclusion

The floor of a house is one of the many things that make it stand out and appealing especially when a good flooring material is used. Laminate comes with several advantages and provides a good and inexpensive alternative to other forms of floor covering especially hardwood.

Photo: Laurel Bern Interiors

What’s a better way to make a fashion-forward decorating statement than by updating your flooring? Flooring trends come and go, but this year we are seeing some beautiful styles and designs that are here to stay, at least for a while. From tile to hardwood and even vinyl flooring, designers are loving the opportunity to get creative with these awesome new materials and colors. Take a look at some of the most stylish flooring trends that really caught our eye:

Tiles that Look Like Real Hardwood

Photo: Progress Lighting

It can be tough keeping up with the all-hardwood flooring trends by installing hardwood throughout your kitchen and even bathroom! Tiles that look and even feel like real hardwood are becoming a hit trend and gaining momentum very quickly. Tiles are built to last and one of the most durable flooring options available. The fact that you can get a luxurious hardwood look to complement your existing furniture and have the durability as well is like killing two birds with one stone!

[otw_shortcode_quote border_style=”bordered” background_color_class=”otw-pink-background”]Before installing your tiles, always determine what pattern and orientation you would like the tiles to be in. Open a few boxes of tiles and temporarily lay them out in different patterns on the floor to see what looks best![/otw_shortcode_quote]

Chevron Tile and Hardwood Trend

Photo: Cameron Custom Builder

If you don’t know what chevron is, it’s the cute zigzag pattern that has been used on everything possible the last few years from décor to fashion and household items. The chevron trend was everywhere the last few years from curtains to carpets and even wallpaper. This year, chevron has taken on another spin as designers are installing tiles and hardwood floors in a chevron pattern. It looks very cool, but make sure you have a good handyman that has the patience for a detailed pattern like this!

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”#f73b90″ class=”” size=””]Suzy’s Tip: I LOVE the chevron tile and wood plank trend! Install these chevron tiles in your bathroom for a very chic and updated look! Then, install brass hardware for your shower head, faucets, and vanity handles for a very sophisticated look that is Architectural Digest approved![/perfectpullquote]

Affordable Vinyl Flooring

Photo: Online Vloeren Specialist

When we mention vinyl, everyone thinks of the hideous outdated linoleum that truly isn’t even vinyl. These two are often confused with each other and are actually two very different products. In the last few years vinyl has really taken off and become an affordable, durable, and fashionable flooring trend. You can now buy vinyl that looks like real wood similar to the wood-like tile and laminate that is on the market today. There are also tons of minimalist vinyl floor tile designs that look amazing and are super durable even in high-traffic areas of your home.

Vinyl flooring is tough as well as very good-looking. It’s really the easiest flooring material to install and also one of the cheapest flooring options on the market today. Vinyl is so thin and flexible but it’s also durable enough to last you for many, many years to come. If you are hesitant on installing this in your hallway, living room, or kitchen, you can always try it out on some not so noticeable rooms like the mudroom, laundry room, and guest bathroom. Test it out and see how you like it before installing vinyl in a large room that is used daily.

Wide Plank Wood Floors

Photo: Lauren

If you are looking to make your home look bigger than it already is, consider choosing flooring that has larger planks. Long gone are the days of thin strip hardwood flooring that used to look expensive and glamorous, wide plank flooring looks elegant and very trendy. One look that I have grown to love is very dark wide plank flooring and light colored walls. This is a classic look that will look amazing for at least 10 or more years until something else becomes trendy. If you are trying to play it safe or renovating a home for sale, you definitely will not go wrong with this look.

If you are not sure which type of flooring you should purchase, consider contacting a professional for tips, advice, and help choosing the right type of flooring. For more info visit: http://www.homebuilders.construction/a/building-contractors-in-newcastle

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”#f73b90″ class=”” size=””]BDB Tip: Using larger planks for your hardwood flooring adds depth and makes your space look twice the size. It’s becoming a classic staple in the design world and will likely be a trendy flooring choice for the next few years to come.[/perfectpullquote]

Photo: Curated Interior

One of the most drastic measures you can take to re-decorate your space for 2017 is by updating your flooring. For those of you who are building a home from scratch, latent defects insurance is also important! After all, flooring is an investment into your home and should not be thought lightly about. Most of the trends that are really blowing up on the design scene look like they’ll be here for a while. So why not try them out and give your home a fresh and modern new look!

Gold Grout

This is one flooring trend that I am totally in LOVE with right now! Gold grout is not only very sophisticated, but also something totally different than we’re used to. Gold grout gives that pop of color and glam that will instantly transform your bathroom, kitchen, or hallway! There are many store-bought mixes you can purchase that include glitter to give you that extra sparkly grout look!

Photo: Home Bunch

[otw_shortcode_quote border_style=”bordered” background_color_class=”otw-pink-background”]If you are not sure about applying gold grout, you can always opt for gold inlay tile that looks ever more beautiful. This would require you to re-do your tiles to install the inlay. It is also much more expensive than simply applying gold grout to your tiles, but the finished look is absolutely stunning.[/otw_shortcode_quote]

Engineered Oak Wood Flooring

Engineered European oak flooring is becoming more popular then ever. Durable and versatile, engineered hardwood flooring gives you the beauty of wood flooring in your bathroom, kitchen, basement and more! Engineered hardwood floors are constructed from multiple piles of wood with a solid wood top layer. Below the top layer, there are cross layers of plywood and hardwood backing. This makes them a really popular option for households with a lot of traffic, or for humidity prone areas.

Carpet Flooring is Back

Photo: HomeBunch

For a room that needs some extra coziness and warmth, carpet is answer. Carpet warms up a space and gives it that intimate feel you can’t get from tiles or hardwood. If your living room or bedroom decorating feels a little cold consider installing a neutral colored carpet. Opt for a low-pile carpet to avoid dust problems, especially for those that may be allergic. If you have pets and kids, you may also want to find a good stain resistant carpet that makes it easy to wipe up spills and accidents.

Cork

Photo: Apartment Therapy

There is nothing more comfortable than walking on soft and warm cork flooring. If you’ve ever popped a wine bottle, you would have noticed at how fast the cork pops back into shape when it’s released from the bottle. Now, this probably gives you a good idea of how springy and flexible cork really is. While walking on cork flooring, you will notice it has shock-absorbent properties, making it super confortable when spending long periods standing. It’s a great flooring option to install in your kitchen, or gym. Don’t install it in the bathroom though, since cork is susceptible to moisture damage.

Leather Flooring

Photo: Yahoo

You’ve probably never heard of this, but yes leather is being used as a flooring option nowadays. It’s not only gorgeous; it’s also versatile since leather is available in plank or tile form. There are many manufactures reusing leather belts and making flooring from them. So you can rest assured and feel great about using it, since leather flooring is 100% recycled.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”#fc4299″ class=”” size=””]Surprisingly, leather flooring is very hardwearing and durable. It’s a great flooring option to put in your home office, library, or even bedroom![/perfectpullquote]