Laminate Floors
With the overabundance of flooring materials available these days, modern renovators are looking for a fresher, eco-friendlier option that can take remodeling to a whole new higher level without emptying their bank accounts. This is where one of the most popular synthetic flooring alternatives comes in: laminate flooring.
Introduced in the market more or less 20 years ago, laminate is relatively new but is by far the fastest growing category in the flooring business. A lot more economical than engineered wood and much easier to take care of than stone varieties, laminate offers the luxurious look of most in demand flooring materials without the huge expense and challenging maintenance requirements.
A truly innovative example of avant-garde engineering, laminate flooring is composed of a high-density fiber base usually overlaid with specialized photographic images of stone, wood, terra cotta and marble. The surface is subsequently sealed with a layer of long-term protective coating for durability and shine, commonly a type of highly scratch-resistant aluminum oxide finish.
Besides being cheaper than most flooring materials with a price tag ranging from $1.90 to $3.50 per square foot, laminate is also easier to install than its hardwood and stone equivalents. It can be mounted without difficulty on almost any type of floor base using an adhesive-free tongue and groove method, and can be uninstalled with no potential damage to the laminate or the original flooring.
This material is so convenient to clean that you only need a slightly damp cloth, broom, mop or vacuum cleaner to keep it looking shipshape. No need for messy waxing and buffing jobs that can almost take a whole day just to finish.
Similarly, unlike authentic hardwood divisions which can have an occasional bad piece or two and can be only fixed by sending them back to the manufacturer for refitting, you can always be sure that all the segments in your laminate purchase are suited to perfection. How great is that for a flooring material that you can almost buy for a song?
While laminate may be your answer to affordably elegant flooring needs, there are also reasons why some contemporary renovators wouldn’t want to utilize this flooring material. One drawback is the limited design options that you can do with laminate since the appearance of the material is already set by the manufacturer. You just have to make do with the nearest color or motif that goes well with your home’s interior.
As for acoustics, laminate does not absorb sound waves suitably and can be quite noisy to walk on. Although investing in a sound-trapping underlay can muffle the noise a bit, it still emits a momentary hollow ring when treaded on heavily.
Despite the fact that laminate can withstand even the toughest moisture levels, they can still go out of shape when subjected to extreme heat. Although this is true to other flooring options, solid materials like stone and hardwood only require a spot of sanding and refinishing to look presentable again while laminate has to be completely replaced.
Just as choosing any other remodeling necessity, gather as much product information as you can before making your final decision and investing in laminate as your flooring material.
While it has factors that can’t quite match up to real wood, stone and other standard flooring materials, laminate’s very low price and superb durability can instantly make a positive impression on any modern homeowner who wants to add a bit of remodeling luxury without spending more than he or she ought to.
 |