Nowadays, laminate flooring is a competitor for the best flooring option. Next to premium vinyl, it is currently the most-searched-for flooring material. Hardwood was the unquestionably superior option for luxury flooring for a long time. It is no longer just a less expensive substitute that appears passable from a distance. Laminate is a highly preferred option for flooring in homes and businesses because of its strength, affordability, and striking resemblance to more expensive wood and stone materials. If you can relate to any or all of these queries, this comprehensive handbook is for you. Eko Flooring has a dedicated team that is committed to help you find the perfect flooring solution for your home or business. Whether you’re seeking new installations, refinishing, or repairs, we’ve got you covered. We will go over everything laminate flooring has to offer, along with much more.
What is meant by laminate flooring, and how is it composed?
The goal of laminate flooring, a multi-layer flooring material composed of wood fiber, was to create the most accurate imitation of actual wood. Its four primary layers get pressed together at extremely high pressure and temperature in a single operation.
- The lowermost layer of our laminate ensures dimensional stability and shields the core board against moisture.
- The high-density fiberboard core board, which contains more than 80% wood, offers remarkable structural strength and best resistance.
- A high-quality decorative layer with a printed picture on top allows for various complex patterns and colors.
- A cutting-edge transparent surface protector is applied on top to shield the surface from normal wear and tear. Because of its stain-resistant, long-lasting resilience, and firm sealed surface, it also helps with upkeep.
The Rise in Popularity of Laminate Flooring
Why are laminate floors so popular?
Laminate flooring quickly became the preferred floor due to various features, including its cost, durability, ease of installation, resistance to scratches and wetness, and low care requirements. Laminate floors might get produced to resemble practically any texture, design style, or natural material by combining these elements with modern flooring technologies. It implies that the color, grain, and even texture of laminate wood flooring may get duplicated.
Is laminate flooring so durable?
Laminate flooring is quite resilient. The high-density core board provides exceptional impact protection and can bear heavy furniture without dents. Laminate is an excellent material for areas where more people come and go, like living rooms and pet-friendly individual residences, because the top layer guards against fading and scratches. The Eko Flooring team guides you through the entire process, from selection to installation, ensuring your hardwood floor perfectly aligns with your style and budget.
Laminate flooring solutions are water-resistant and water-repellent, making them ideal for household and light commercial applications. These qualities are important in open kitchens since the flooring needs to be resilient to normal wear and tear.
Laminate Floor Materials
Four layers make up laminate flooring. The wear layer is a thin, long-lasting plastic film that covers a photorealistic wood or stone picture placed on a substrate made of wood chips. At the very bottom, a thin underlayment gets added.
Wear a Layer
The most challenging surface layer is made of a flexible, transparent plastic sheet. It is resistant to water, scratches, and other environmental aggressors.
Image Layer
Laminate floors can appear realistic even at close range. It is because behind the wear layer of the laminate is a picture of actual wood, sharp as a snapshot.
Basis or Center
Underneath the wood-grain image is a 1/2-inch-thick mixture of wood chips. Water damage is an inherent danger associated with any wood chip product. The underside of laminate flooring is believed to get dimensionally stable to some extent. Laminate flooring can withstand water damage, but only if it is dried out.
Underlayment
Each laminate flooring board has a small layer of underlayment bonded to the bottom. A separate underlayment of foam felt or fiber must get set down first because specific floors might not have an associated underlayment.
Benefits of Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a stylish and reasonably priced choice for any house or place of business. Laminated flooring to actual hardwood floors is stain and wear-resistant. It’s perfect for busy households because it takes less upkeep and is far easier to install than hardwood. Furthermore, because it doesn’t retain dust mites, pollen, or other allergens like carpets can, it’s a fantastic option for anyone with allergies.
Which Rooms Are the Best for Installing Laminate Flooring?
One of the most popular queries (with good cause) gets this one.
- Laminate flooring becomes available in areas like your living room, dining room, hallway, bedroom, etc., aren’t subjected to an extreme amount of moisture.
- Since these spaces are subjected to still water for extended periods, they shouldn’t have laminate flooring, including your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room.
- Selecting premium waterproof laminate flooring is essential when making the correct laminate investment. If you plan to include laminate on your balcony, this becomes imperative.
How are laminate floors installed?
Laminate floors have a new profile that allows for quick and easy installation. Select the most convenient installation method for you: Row by row, plank after plank, tapping.
- Installing a laminate floor involves “floating” the planks, connecting them instead of the subfloor.
- A foam underlayment with noise-reducing characteristics must get installed between the laminate and the subfloor. After floating installation, floors are immediately usable.
- There is no specific equipment or knowledge needed to lay a laminate floor. The laminate planks can get cut with a jig saw or by hand. Laminate floors may get installed without the need for adhesive.
- It implies that even householders without much experience can install a laminate floor. Laminate can get installed by multiple people at once.
- Installing laminate flooring can typically be finished in a day, depending on the room size. It’s a time-saving and cost-effective solution because of how quick and easy the installation are.
How do you clean and maintain laminate floors?
To keep your floors looking their best, you must understand how to clean and maintain them. It entails routinely vacuuming or sweeping the floor with a soft-bristled tool and utilizing only permitted cleansers and products. They collect more dirt, and the floor’s edges, corners, and narrow spaces require more care.
