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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 By: Corry Connor Designs

Every year the flooring industry is coming out with so many new and improved flooring types, which makes it hard for regular homeowners to keep up! Laminate flooring for instance, has drastically improved to the point that it’s difficult to tell the difference from real wood! Vinyl tiles have also become so popular and such great quality, that it makes us forget about installing real tiles in our homes. However, there are four main flooring types that are the most popular and the most cost efficient at the moment. Keep reading to find out which ones are the best and why!

Laminate Flooring

You’ve probably heard of laminate flooring by now, since it’s a very popular and cost efficient flooring option today. Laminate is basically flooring that looks like real wood for half the price! Using multiple layers of synthetic flooring, it is fused together using a lamination process. Then a photographic applique that simulates wood is glued on top with a clear protective layer. Laminate flooring is durable, easy to install and also cheaper to install. It doesn’t require the skill that perhaps it would take to install real hardwood flooring, making it a great option for DIY-ers. It also is durable, and simple to maintain.

Photo By: The Sitting Room

Vinyl Flooring

If you have a house full of children and pets, vinyl flooring is probably your best bet! Vinyl flooring is a fully synthetic floor that is made from PVC and fiber glass, making this flooring incredibly affordable and also durable. Vinyl is easy to install, and most homeowners can learn to install this flooring on their own. In the last 10 years, vinyl flooring has really come a long way. There are tons of modern styles and options to choose from, making this flooring popular once again. In our opinion, it is much better than tiles since it’s warmer and softer to walk on, and also so much cheaper!

Solid Wood Flooring

If you are going after a classic look to make your home look like the home of your dreams, traditional flooring types like solid wood flooring are the perfect choice for you. Solid wood flooring is made from 100% natural wood and every plank is made from one single piece of wood. Solid wood flooring looks beautiful and looks rustic but it can also be prone to moisture damage and scratches. It is still a good option for some since it can always be sanded down and re-stained to look brand new again, unlike laminate and other synthetic flooring types. When getting your flooring installed make sure to use some highly rated flooring contractors in Toronto or wherever city you are from.

Photo By: Geoff Chick & Associates

Engineered Wood Floring

Also known as composite wood flooring, engineered wood is is made from binding together the fibers of hardwood and lumber scraps together with adhesives to form a composite material. Engineered wood is durable, and much cheaper than installing real hardwood flooring. It also has the ability to hold up to moisture unlike real wood flooring, which makes is particularly more long lasting.

If you are in the market for new flooring for your home, you need to ask yourself what kind of household do you live in. If it’s just you and your partner, real hardwood flooring may be the most stylish and also practical option for you. However if you have children, pets, and lots of foot traffic it may be smart to consider installing something like laminate, vinyl, or engineered wood flooring to save on costs and also install something more lasting. Our favorite place to shop a range of flooring options is www.floorsdirectltd.co.uk where you can choose from so many different styles, materials, and flooring products that will perfectly suit your home and family!

Photos Via: Style BluePrint

This amazing composite flooring material ticks all the boxes and comes in a wide range of finishes, ensuring that there is something to suit every taste, and with that in mind, here are just a few of the reasons why the majority of Australian homeowners choose laminate flooring.

Timber, Stone and Slate Finishes 

Laminate flooring comes in 3 main styles, which are timber, stone and slate designs that offer a range of colours to help you match with the interior. The secret to the amazing designs involves a high-resolution digital image that is inserted underneath the outer protective layer. You might prefer a seasoned hardwood finish, or perhaps stunning Italian travertine, and with more than 50 different finishes, there is something for everyone.

Affordability

If you have your heart set on a traditional hardwood floor, yet find the price of solid timber flooring excessive, you can have the look and feel of solid timber with laminate solutions, and at a fraction of the price that you would pay for a hardwood floor. Before you go rushing off to find laminate flooring stores, a Google search will save you both time and money, and once you have located an established local flooring company, you can visit their showroom, where you can see a wide range of laminate flooring in a real-life setting.

Strength and Durability

Laminate consists of multiple layers that are criss-crossed for added strength, with a core layer that provides the tensile strength, a special cork backing that gives the flooring a soft feeling underfoot, while the decorative layer is inserted under the final protective coating that renders the flooring scratch and scuff proof. Laminate flooring is totally impervious to water, making it ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, and with a professional installation, there’s little that can go wrong.

Simple Installation

Laminate flooring can be laid onto any substrate, and with a special cork backing, the surface is soft underfoot and is silent to walk on. The flooring comes in convenient planking, which is easy to install and the material can be cut as you would with timber, leaving a stunning finish that will stand the test of time.

Hardwearing

Laminate flooring is ideal for those high traffic areas like the kitchen and hallway, and should you already have some rooms with solid wood flooring, you can find an ideal match in laminate. In the event the flooring is scratched, you can buy special repair kits, which will restore the finish to its original condition.

If you would like to explore the potential that laminate flooring offers the homeowner, an online search id the best way to make contact with a local supplier, and with their expert guidance, you can choose the perfect finish that will enhance your home for many years to come.