Laminate Floor Cleaning Tip

Laminate floors are quickly becoming the new fad with homeowners. For those who are still unaware of what laminate flooring is, it is layers of materials compressed together to create flooring. It is capable of taking on any effect and being any color desired.

You can purchase laminate flooring that looks like wood or stone tiles, in a variety of shapes. Not only is laminate flooring easy to clean, it can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. In fact, you don’t have to empty your savings account any longer to get that beautiful hardwood floor. You can purchase a laminate look alike, which is just as durable as a wood floor if not more. For these reasons and more, laminate flooring is gaining in popularity.

Cleaning Laminate Flooring

What is the best way to keep your laminate floors clean? Due to the fact that laminates have several layers, the first layer or the surface protects the laminate floor. With this protection, keeping your laminate floor clean has just become easier. The best tip for cleaning your laminate floor is to purchase a cleaner that is safe for laminates. Do not use wax cleaners, polishes or abrasive cleaning products on your laminate flooring as they can damage the finish.

Along with using the proper cleaner, there are other tips to assist you in maintaining the natural beauty of your laminate flooring. Unlike hardwood floors you can use warm water to clean your laminate flooring. It is suggested to use a good mop and ring the mop out twice as excessive water will damage your laminate flooring. Do not allow spills to stand on your laminate flooring, wipe them up immediately to keep the quality of your laminate floors in tact.

Protecting Laminate Flooring

As with any hard flooring, using carpet rugs in high traffic areas is also a must with laminate floors. You should also consider using rugs in areas of high use, such as in the kitchen and near all sinks. Carpet rugs help to trap dirt and debris brought from outside your home. Along with providing rugs, you should also sweep your laminate floors often. If time permits, sweep your floors daily. This will help to ensure that your laminate floors remain beautiful.

With so many choices in laminate flooring, it’s hard to go wrong when making laminate the floor of your choice. With its easy maintenance and low cost, you’ve saved both time and money. Remember, to keep those laminate floors looking beautiful, use a product designed to clean laminate floors. If it doesn’t say “safe for laminate floors” then don’t purchase it. Most laminate floor cleaners are cost effective and save time in the cleaning process. Using a cleaner that is not designed for your laminate floor can lead to disaster. Repairing or replacing a laminate floor takes much more time then reading the labels of the cleaning products available to you.

Author Vincent Platania represents the Fuller Brush Company.

Fuller Brush has been in business since 1906, and offers safe, environmentally friendly products for keeping your home and your body clean.

Visit http://www.fuller-brush-products.com

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What Is Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring mimics the look of traditional woods while offering easy installation and lasting durability. At first glance, it can be difficult to spot the difference between hardwoods and laminate flooring. What appears to be a natural wood grain pattern is really a thin layer of decor paper (a photographic image) under a tough-as-nails protective film that is glued and pressed to a high-density backing board. Laminate Flooring comes in an array of wood effects as well as stone and ceramic effects.

Laminate floorings main advantages are that it is easy to install, is very hardwearing and relatively inexpensive compared to real hardwood flooring.

Laminate flooring is a floating floor, which means it does not fasten directly to the sub-floor. Instead the planks are clicked together. This enables the floor to be fitted fast and with no real mess.

Laminate flooring has been around in Europe for around 15 years and has seen massive growth in the past few years. In 2004 over 750 million square meters of laminate flooring was sold worldwide this was an increase of 13% on the previous year. The biggest growth market is in the US with an impressive growth rate of 25%.

What is laminate Flooring Made From?

Laminate flooring is made up of four layers. The bottom layer is the stabilizing layer; this is what gives the laminate floor its stability. It is made up of moisture resistant resins

Above this there is the core layer; this is made up of high density fibreboard (H.D.F.). This is saturated in resins to make it extremely hard. Most manufactures also add a moisture resistant resin to the core. This is important as it helps keep the flooring protected against moisture penetrating the boards.

On top of the core layer is added a high strength paper along with the decorative paper. It is this decorative paper which gives the laminate flooring its individual appearance, ranging from highly authentic wood reproduction, ceramic or stone designs.

The top wear layer is provided by the melamine resin, a highly wear resistant material that makes laminate flooring so hard wearing. This top layer is very similar to the top layer on counter or kitchen work tops but is usually around 40% stronger. This makes the laminate flooring highly resistant to scratches, burns, dent’s, stains, etc.

There are a lot of laminate flooring manufactures who have products in the market place, each saying theirs is the best. Our advice is to stay with the leading ones these are QUICK-STEP, ALLOC, PERGO, BRUCE, and KRONOTEX. Theses manufactories have been around a long time and offer quality products that you can trust

How does Laminate Flooring Fit Together

Most laminate floors today fit together with a click system with the most common being the UNICLIC system as used by Quick-Step. This is extremely easy and fast to fit. The ingenious UNICLIC-system has a special shape of tongue and groove. You simply place the tongue of one plank into the grove of another at an angle and press down. Their sophisticated and very accurate milled shape makes it possible to create a very tight connection during the installation. The floor can be walked on straight away.

If you are laying laminate flooring over a concrete sub-floor then you will fist need to lay down a damp proof membrane (DPM). This is basically a sheet of plastic usually around 5mm which helps protect the Laminate from moisture. On top of this goes the foam underlay this acts as sound absorption and also helps even out minor irregularities in the sub-floor.

Most manufactories now offer a combined DPM and underlay along with several underlay’s that have better sound absorbing qualities

Installing Laminate Flooring

You’ve heard your friends talk about it and you’ve seen it on commercials. But how easy is it to install laminate flooring? This article will let you know how to install your brand new laminate flooring and even let you know which brands are easier then the others. You’ve just paid your money for your laminate flooring so you may as well get it laid down.

Some people think that all you have to do is line up the pieces and then CLICK- in it goes. If only it were that easy then we would all be doing it like that. The truth is that not all companies will provide you with the easiest to install laminate flooring. You will curse and you might cry, but once it is all done you will definitely marvel at your new floor.

Obviously before you start you must clear the room. Nothing should be in your way. Your master piece is about to be made and nothing must be in your creative space. A little tip when you are deciding which way you want the grain to face: the manufacturers recommend that the grain faces the same way that the sun comes in just to make it look even better. If you have a video tape that was included with the laminate flooring then it is highly recommended that you view the tape before installing the laminate flooring, just so you know what might be coming.

When you are installing laminate flooring remember to have a checklist of the tools that you will need. This will save you from having to go to the hardware store during installation. When you are installing you laminate flooring the first thing you must do is tap the short ends together. However- DO NOT tap them too hard. Doing so could damage them, so just tap gently and wait for the seam to close.

Next, always keep the tongue towards you as you are installing the laminate flooring. NEVER tap against the grove. Make sure that you overlap the seams by at least 16-18 inches, if you don’t then you might void your warranty.

To install the first row always start from the left and then tap the short side of another board with the first one. This will create a link between the two. Repeat this until you are near the end of the room. Then check the space left (it should be 5/16 inch.). After that you can then put in the spacers along the wall and the laminated board.

As you are installing the rows of laminate flooring, hinge the long sides and allow them to simply fall into place. Then simply tap the short sides together. There is a 2 part bonding agent placed on the tongue and on the groove of the short sides of the laminate flooring boards. Once the boards have been in contact for at least 20 minutes, the chemical reaction using the agent should begin to strengthen the boards. After 24hours the process is complete.

If you are reading this article before purchasing any laminate flooring then you may get confused with all this talk of long and short sides. But once you have purchased your laminate flooring and got it out of the packaging you will start to know what those words mean. The videotape provided with your laminate flooring will also help you if you get stuck at any point when installing your laminate flooring.

Following these simple steps will help you achieve the perfect laminate flooring in your home. Laminate flooring is becoming very popular these days and more and more people are deciding to make the switch from carpet to laminate flooring. If you want to make the switch and would like to know a brand that has become quite popular, try Quick Step laminate flooring. They will provide you with quality laminate flooring and easy to follow instructions. Laminate flooring is the definitely the way to a much cleaner floor, no more trapped dust in the carpet!

by Ted Ingraham

Choosing the Right Krono Laminate Flooring

Inspired by nature and built to last, the Krono Original collection offers fantastic value wood flooring. The resilient, high quality laminate finish means that your Krono wood flooring will resist stains and even furniture imprints, proving to be one of the most resistant floorings available. If you are looking for the authenticity of real wood with the easy clean convenience of laminate, Krono Original wood flooring is a clear winner.

Maintaining simplicity but oozing with sophistication, Krono Floordreams is an extremely hard wearing wood flooring suitable for heavy domestic and intense commercial use. This type of flooring is also designed to support under-floor heating and coupled with its Aquastop moisture protection, Floordreams laminate wood flooring is a smart choice for bathrooms. Personalise your wood flooring even more with a diverse range of finishes, including Riverside Oak to add depth in your home, or maybe you want a clean, sheek look with the Beech Camarque finish. Finally, Vancouver Maple and Whitewashed Oak both hold a sense of warmth that will give any home a wholesome yet friendly atmosphere.

Kronostep Narrow strikes a balance between contemporary and traditional design that offers stunning floor effects at an affordable price. At 123mm wide, these laminate wood flooring panels are 69mm narrower than standard panels, giving a stylish parquet flooring effect. Like all of the Krono wood flooring range, attention to detail is key. Check out the Maranello Oak, Aberdeen Oak, Italian Walnut and Windsor Oak for a plank authentic embossed texture or the African Walnut planked rustic finish to add intensity to your room. Simplicity is maintained throughout the design and the micro bevel edges complete the finish.

If you’re looking to create sense of warmth that complements your contemporary home, Krono Vario could be the way to go. Bevelled V-grooves give the look and feel of a solid wood floor that is simple to install and can be easily looked after. Light Varnished Oak, Canadian Elm and Antique Oak all boast the planked rustic finish and offer a sense of personality like no other laminate wood flooring.

Why not take a different approach when flooring your home? Krono Stoneline is a great way to add that rustic stone effect without the pain of laying individual tiles. Keep the realistic grouting effect but also have the luxury of never having cold feet again with the ability to add under-floor heating. Travertine and Metallic Slate both come in Tile or Antique Stone.

If you’re looking for consistency and uniformity of design, the Kronofix laminate wood flooring may just be the choice for you. A favourite for everyday living, Kronofix is available in Woodgrain, Smooth Finish or Rustic textures and a diverse range of finishes including Royal Oak, Certosa Oak and Dark Oak to complement your home’s décor.

Whatever type of laminate wood flooring you choose Krono offers quality laminate flooring that soars above the competition. With an extensive guarantee for all products, all you need to worry about is the design to make the most of your home.

Check out the full range of Krono Laminate Flooring at Real Oak Floors.  All the Kronospan laminate flooring is available at trade prices with additional offers for pallet purchases.

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by ☺ Lee J Haywood

Laminate Flooring Installation – Laminates Lead The Way In DIY Interior Design

Laminate flooring installations are creating a buzz among home remodeling rookies. This flooring phenomenon is building a do it yourself following that is unheard of in the industry. Overnight a tattered, carpeted home can be transformed into an elegant mansion with gleaming, stylish floors brandishing every real wood grain imaginable. If a homeowner qualifies for a home improvement loan or home equity loan, this is one sure way of spending it sensibly while adding impressive value to the property. What exactly is a laminate flooring installation and why the home improvement hype?

A laminate flooring installation is a flooring project done with tongue and groove planks that click together to form a stable, floating floor. No adhesive or nails are used to fix the planks to the sub-floor. The planks can have the appearance and texture of real wood, ceramic tiles or stone tiles and the latest technology is such that the look created is extremely authentic.

You won’t necessarily need to rip out existing floors if you plan a laminate flooring installation. Laminate planks will be quite at home if installed over vinyl, tiles, or real wood. Just make sure that the sub-floor is perfectly smooth and even and follow the manufacturer’s detailed guidance in every respect. Carpeting and real wood on concrete floors will have to be taken out before installing laminate flooring.

The planks used during a laminate flooring installation usually consist of four fused layers. The bottom layer is mostly reinforced with melamine. This substance provides stability and protects the upper layers from moisture. The most important layer is the inner core made of a medium density fiberboard, treated and impregnated with edge sealing substances. The third layer is the decorative part of the plank. This is nothing more than a photograph that gives the flooring plank the authentic wood or tile looks. Covering the decorative layer is the wear layer, usually consisting of cellulose paper, combined with melamine plastic resins and an aluminum oxide coating. The best wear layers resist staining, moisture, scratching, fading and other signs of wear, protecting the laminate flooring installation for years to come.

In the case of Alloc Flooring, an additional thick Kraft paper layer has been added between the design layer and the core. The Alloc Laminate Flooring core consists of a unique Aqua Resist fiber board which has been engineered to minimize the risk of fluid absorption. Alloc floors are in the company of other classy manufacturers such as Pergo Flooring, Quick Step Flooring, Wilsonart Flooring, and Trafficmaster Allure Flooring.

The budget sections of laminate flooring installation ranges are often manufactured with a direct pressure method. The four layers are assembled, heated and pressed to form the fused flooring plank. The pressure exerted is around 300 pounds per square inch at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

More expensive laminate flooring installations consist of high pressure planks. The top and bottom layers of the planks are treated separately and Phenol impregnated Kraft paper is added. This is all fused to the core layer. Extreme pressure of around 1300 pounds per square inch is used at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures a more stable, durable end product with less chipping and a higher degree of moisture resistance.

As a laminated flooring installation isn’t affixed to the sub-floor, you need a good quality padded underlayment to dampen sound, add to the stability of the floor, give warmth and add a more comfortable feel underfoot. Some manufacturers pre-attach this underlayment to the planks. While this is a convenient option, some experts view attached padding as slightly less effective than a separate underlayment. The underlayment usually consists of cork, felt or foam.

In the case of an Alloc Laminate Flooring installation, the underlayment is pre-affixed to the planks. This Alloc Silent System padding claims to dampen sound to a higher degree than other comparable padding products. The Alloc Flooring system can even be ordered to include under-floor heating that is incorporated into the underlayment.

In addition to the underlayment, a plastic moisture or vapor barrier is placed between the planks and the underlayment to give additional protection against moisture. Any contact with fluids may cause the core to swell, leading to buckling or blistering of the floor. This level is usually a polyethylene material. It isn’t used in a laminate flooring installation where the sub-floor is real wood.

What makes a laminate flooring installation so popular, is the fact that it is an easy, glueless operation that can be attempted by any do it yourself novice. This is a home remodeling option that gives highly gratifying results within a few hours and can be used immediately in most cases. The tongue and groove designs of the laminate flooring installation planks simply snap or click together, creating tight-fitting, almost invisible joints.

If done correctly using a high grade product, these installations will retain their immaculate appearance for many years. Most ranges are warranted for between 15 and 30 years, giving an indication of the robustness of a laminate flooring installation. It can be used in virtual any interior space, and even does well in bathrooms and kitchens, as long as the laminate flooring installation instructions are followed carefully.

To recap, here are the 10 main benefits of a laminate flooring installation:

1. A laminate flooring installation is a low-maintenance flooring solution.

2. A wise decor choice will give you long-lasting quality.

3. A laminate floor is stain resistant.

4. Laminate flooring installations are usually fade resistant to a large degree.

5. Laminate floors can be installed over most existing floors.

6. This type of flooring can be installed on all grade levels.

7. A top-rated laminate flooring installation will offer superb impact resistance.

8. Laminate floors mimic the warmth and texture of real hardwood accurately at a fraction of the cost.

9. The new, glueless laminate flooring click together designs are a terrific home improvement project for a do it yourself novice.

10. These floors can be lifted and replaced easily, partly or room-wise. This is of particular importance in case of a serious mishap. This is also why you always need to store a few planks.

Virtually every wood grain and texture is catered for in laminate flooring collections. By extending the ranges to include ceramic tile and stone tile options, there is no end to interior design ideas in the flooring realm. Any decor style and architecture can get a speedy face-lift with a laminate flooring installation.

by cborresen

Laminate Wood Flooring

Laminate wood flooring is a versatile flooring type that gives the appearance of hardwood flooring. With natural looking designs in durable finish, laminate wood flooring can complement any home or office décor.

Designs and Patterns that Fit Every Interior

Laminate wood flooring is suitable for any room including family room, hallway, kitchen, and bathroom. Designed to withstand in heavy foot traffic areas, it is perfect for families with children and pets. Whatever your interior style – warm, light, energetic, playful, elegant or casual – a wide array of laminate wood flooring styles and colors are available. You can choose from smooth, textured, square edge, hand scraped, bevel edge, narrow plank and other interesting varieties.

Although laminate wood flooring patterns resemble original wood flooring, no solid wood is used in its construction. The realistic wood plank flooring patterns are created through advanced computerized technology. Laminate flooring can be installed on any flooring surface, concrete or wood.

Construction with Authentic Wood Appearance

Laminate wood flooring has a layered structure. The inner core layer is made using a high density, moisture-resistant fiber board. A high resolution image of natural hardwood flooring is glued and attached on the top of the fiber board. The backing layer is made using saturated paper which acts as a moisture barrier. The flooring is then finished with a clear coating to protect from stains and fading.

Laminate wood flooring is available in different installation formats – click-lock, glue down, and floating type. Floating type flooring does not fix directly to the sub floor. The most preferred type is click lock flooring that easily snaps together without glue or nails.

A Popular Flooring Option with Cost-saving Features

Laminate wood flooring enjoys high demand due to its affordability, simple installation, durability and easy maintenance. Most of the flooring manufacturers provide a long-term warranty for laminate floors. Dealers of laminate wood flooring also provide installation and maintenance services.

FlooringDepot: Install kaindl laminate wood flooring, using lock joining system. www.flooringdepot.co.za
Video Rating: 3 / 5

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by Ted Ingraham

Why Buy Laminate Flooring ?

The popularity of laminate flooring has gone from strength to strength since it was first introduced to the UK over 15 years ago. Laminate floors offer a great alternative if you don’t want to make the investment into hardwood flooring, but want to create a difference or add value to your home. Laminate flooring can help transform a room or an entrance way into a spacious and more eye-catching contemporary living area and offers a less expensive and equally attractive option. Laminate flooring is simple to fit and exceptionally practical it can brighten almost any room in the home.

Laminate flooring can be used in rooms of any size from small spaces at home to large office units at work. In homes it is most commonly used in downstairs rooms and hallways however with the introduction of moisture resistant laminate floors its uses have now spread to kitchens and bathrooms as well.

How you decorate rooms often depends on what it’s used for. Is it a place where you scrum down with the kids, relax with a glass of wine at the end of the day or is it for entertaining your guests? Well the right flooring can help you make it all three. To do this you have to mix practicality and style; fortunately with today’s laminate flooring you don’t have to compromise on either. Top quality laminate flooring is less than half the price of a high quality woven carpet and has the added attraction of requiring the minimum amount of cleaning and after care which naturally appeals to a wide variety of people – from those with young families to busy professionals. Laminate flooring is scratch, stain, fade and even burn resistant. Spills wipe away easily and they look fantastic!

The choice of laminate flooring on the market is vast with products ranging from light wood floors like pine to dark wood floors such as walnut. An antique finish in a smaller room can create a rustic country cottage look with bags of atmosphere. In a larger room this finish can create anything from ultra modern chic to the feel of a medieval banquet hall.

Some of the most popular choices include beech laminate flooring and oak laminate flooring. You can even purchase laminate flooring that replicates the look and feel of traditional stone tiles making it an ever more popular choice in interior design. All these types of floors can be purchased from flooring suppliers with many offering discount flooring throughout the year.

Related Oak Laminate Flooring Articles

by zetabase

Laminate Flooring – Exceptional Durability

Laminate flooring offers exceptional durability. Laminate floors are remarkable for their unmatched reliability and affordability, these very factors account for their immense popularity.

Unlike hardwood, laminate floors aren’t pure wood. Instead, they consist of a wood composite base over which come layers of melamine-impregnated paper covered with a scratch-resistant layer that contributes to their amazing durability. The advantage they possess over hardwood is that the scratch-resistant wear layer is immune to dog claw scratches and all kinds of other scratch marks. Laminate flooring is also less expensive and easier to install than hardwood. But it still adds elegance to the room and lends the impression of real wood; therefore, this type of flooring looks much more expensive than it actually is.

Exotic Impressions from Armstrong is an example of wonderfully durable laminate flooring. The elegant finish it’s provided with gives it an appearance of exotic hardwood, and it is available in great wood-inspiring colors such as exotic walnut, cherry bronze, and cherry natural. It also comes with a 30-year limited warranty. Pergo’s Prestige is extremely attractive and resistant to scuff and stain. It’s also effective against moisture. It has a 25-year triple plus warranty and comes in colors such as savanna oak, Brazilian cherry and rustic oak.  

Laminate floors can be either attached to the sub-floor or its pieces connected to each other. The latter is a floating floor that can be replaced easily whenever necessary. Laminate flooring of the former kind is more stable and produces less noise. As it is moisture-resistant, there’s almost no place in a home where laminate flooring cannot be used.  

An online store can give you instant shopping and purchasing opportunities for all kinds of laminates. You can browse the range of colors and finishes offered and make your choice.

by Ted Ingraham

Oak Laminate Flooring – A Better Choice Than Real Hardwood?

While most people find that Oak hardwood floors are visually stunning, they are not ideal for all homeowners. Oak laminate flooring can be a better choice for many homeowners because it is easier to install, not as expensive, and is usually more durable than your typical wood flooring.

Many homeowners opt for oak laminate because it provides the rich color that attracts a lot of people to hardwoods in the first place. Oak laminate floors allow consumers to create the same rich and warm feel in their home that hard woods do. You’ll generally find that there are many different colors and styles that oak laminates come in, ranging from natural oak colors, honey oak colors, and an almost deep cherry look. Most homeowners will discover that they love oak laminate flooring because it will instantly add some warmth, color, and texture to every room that it is installed in.

- Oak Laminate Flooring Manufacturers
There are many oak laminate flooring manufacturers, but we’ll give just a few examples here. Three well-known brands are Quick Step, Westhollow and BHK. It’s important to remember that these three brands as well as others usually have many different oak laminate offerings, so you’ll want to consider all of your options before you settle on just one.

- Quick Step Laminate Flooring
Quick Step is growing in popularity because they are generally quite affordable, offer all of the current styles, and are often very easy to install on your own. Quick Step offers some beautiful choices, like Natural Oak, with a starting price of about .00 a square foot. In addition to Natural Oak is a stunning option known as Dark Oak. As the name suggests, this has deep rich tone to it. Quick Step floors are very easy to use and can be used throughout the whole house or in specific rooms as you see fit.

- Westhollow Laminate Floors
Westhollow offers a large selection of striking oak laminate flooring. One of the most well known from Westhollow is from their Heritage Collection. “Cathedral French Oak” is one of the more common choices and is generally very affordable with prices starting right around .30 a square foot. This particular option is a beautiful floor and is great in any area of the home including the entry way, a staircase, as well as the dining room and living areas. Westhollow offers another beautiful oak laminate floor called “Barn Milled Oak”. This is also from the Heritage Collection and is similarly priced to their aforementioned product.

- BHK Laminate Floorings
BHK’s laminate Oak floorings are visually stunning. Their “Select Oak” option is very popular as it has what could be described as a traditional oak look and color. While the floor is very beautiful and expensive looking, it usually retails for about .30 and up, which I am sure you will agree is quite reasonable. Another beautiful BHK selection is Natural Oak, which will give a very warm and homey feel to any living space.

Choosing oak laminate flooring for your home is a great choice because it will allow you to add style and warmth to your home, but without the high cost that is usually associated with real Oak. Oak laminate floors work well in all areas of the home, including high traffic areas. It will allow you to infuse your home with style without worrying how they will wear over time.

by TimmyGUNZ

Laminate Flooring – Things You Need to Know

INTRODUCTION TO LAMINATE FLOORING

Laminate flooring is a great alternative to hardwood when you want the warmth and beauty of wood flooring without the installation and maintenance hassles. This attractive flooring solution is available in a wide range of prices, colours and grains. It’s also more scratch and dent resistant than hardwood flooring, which makes it the perfect choice for homes with active children or pets. Laminate flooring is the one of the most versatile, durable and well-constructed types of flooring on the market today.

HOW TO CHOOSE LAMINATE FLOORING

Laminates warranty range from 10 years to lifetime. Entry level laminates come with a 10 to 15 years warranty but they are designed for light traffic areas. Used in a high traffic area, they will begin to show wear and tear usually within 3 to 5 years. Remember that choosing the right laminate flooring is not as easy as it seems, but by doing that, you will save money in the long run. Just think of things like the amount of time you are planning on staying in that house or the amount of traffic, because there is no point in buying really expensive laminate flooring with extended warranty if you know that you are moving sometime in the near future. Also consider buying laminates with Paraffin wax impregnated joints, as this wax acts as a water repellent and prevents water from penetrating down to the core.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Laminate Flooring is made up of six layers, and comes in varying sizes of either planks or squares with a tongue and groove interlocking system. The surface layer of laminate is the melamine wearlayer, which is a tough clear melamine layer with aluminum oxide particles. When fused together with heat and direct to the core the wearlayer becomes an incredibly hard, durable finish. The resin-filled wearlayer is so dense it becomes extremely difficult to stain, scratch, or burn. The second layer is the Print Layer, which is the decorative layer giving the flooring its appearance of real hardwood or tile. The third layer is a clear thin plastic sheet that floats freely above the substrate before the laminate floor is floated. Melamine is a plastic-type resin used throughout the construction process to add durability and stability to the laminated planks. The thickest layer is the core, consists usually of high-density fiber board (HDF), particle board to add resistance and form the tongue and groove locking system. Melamine plastic resins are used to improve moisture resistance of the core by some manufacturers. A thing you should consider when buying laminate flooring for bathrooms or kitchens is it’s core. A thicker core is more stable, less vulnerable and sounds more like the real hardwood floor when walked on. Quality laminate cores are treated with water repellent chemicals. The melamine plastic backing is used to add more structural stability and moisture protection to the planks.

INSTALLATION

As glueless locking mechanisms has been introduced to the market, laminate flooring has become the perfect choice for households because it has a quicker installation, it’s easier to repair and it can be installed by people without experience or specialized tools. This will save you a considerable amount of money. Installing laminate floors eliminates the need to nail or glue your floor in place. It is also a very attractive, low cost and long lasting flooring option. With an easy to clean surface, impact and dent resistance, laminate flooring can be installed over many different types of subfloors and on all grade levels, making it a versatile flooring choice. Installing laminate floors can be used in any room in the house and in most commercial areas as long as they are flat and in solid condition. Installing laminate floors can be done over concrete, wood, ceramic tile and even your existing linoleum floor. Even though laminate floors can be installed in any room in the house, they should not be installed in garages or on outside porches. The biggest reason for this is moisture. Moisture and laminate floors do not mix. On a scale from one to ten, installing laminate flooring requires a skill level of about a four. The most challenging part of the installation process will be clearing your schedule for a couple of hours. The easy to follow instructions and simplified interlocking clicking system mean that most do-it-yourselfers will be able to install an entire floor in one afternoon. A laminated floor that is properly installed, protected and maintained will go a long way to help your laminated floor last as long as your home.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LAMINATE FLOORING

Laminate Flooring is available in one of 2 types, planks and tiles. Flooring planks can be interlocking or tongue and groove where flooring tiles have tongue and groove edges. There are many different manufactures of laminate flooring and as the laminate flooring producers continue to expand colors, styles and increase quality, the growth of laminate flooring industry will continue.

REASONS TO CHOOSE LAMINATE:

A laminated floor is tough and durable.

A laminated floor is chemical resistant and harsh household chemicals and cleaning agents will not harm your laminate flooring surface.

A laminated floor can resist dropped cigarettes for a time without burning the floor.

A laminated floor will keep its color or design for years. The surface will not fade even when exposed to direct sunlight.

A laminated floor is hypoallergenic, it doesn’t contain any hazardous PCB’s, dioxins, plasticizers or chlorines. It repels dust, dustmites and other allergy causing particles.

A laminated floor is stain resistant and can be easily cleaned. Cleaning up a spill on a laminated floor is as simple as wiping up the mess. Also, scuff marks can be easily cleaned off a laminated floor.

Installing a laminated floor is quick and easy. It can be floated over your existing K-3/lino, wood, concrete, tile or even low grade commercial carpet saving value time and expense. There is no need to wait, you can walk on your floor immediately after installation is complete.

A laminated floor comes in many different designs and colors.

A laminated floor is easy to care for.
 

If you are interested in Toronto Laminate Flooring, please visit Contractors Toronto – Toronto-Contractors.ca: Home Improvement and Renovations