5 Things to Consider When Buying Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring lets you enjoy your cake and enjoy it too. If you’re looking to have the appearance of hardwood or tile flooring but don’t want maintenance or cost laminate flooring could be just what you’re looking for best steam mop for laminate floors.
Laminate flooring is comprised from a layer of balance fiberboard layer, various sealants as well as small layers of fibrous substance such as paper. A picture of the stone tile or a particular wood grain is printed on the top layer to create the appearance like the real thing. The top layer acts as a shield that stops wear and tear so that your floors always appear new. It’s as if you’ve got one of the largest laminated images of your floor, which is mounted on your flooring.
If you’ve made the decision to install laminate flooring for the home you might think that the difficult choices are done. However, the number of choices can be overwhelming. Here are five factors to think about when purchasing laminate flooring:
- Laminate Floor Design
If you can think it, you can have it in your home. Are you imagining the gorgeous tile floor you spotted vacationing in Italy? You can recreate the appearance at your own home. Do you want to recreate the appearance of your grandmother’s hardwood flooring? It’s possible to do it too.
After you’ve decided on the design You’ll need to locate a company that has a range of “photographs” of the same flooring. In a natural flooring there are no planks or tiles are alike You want the same look for your laminate flooring. The more options you have for the design of your floor, the more likely you are to deceive your neighbors!
Another consideration when selecting authentic laminate flooring , is to choose one which is “embossed in register,” that is to say the lines on the surface of laminate match the of the design. If your flooring isn’t equipped with this characteristic, the lines on the surface will be visible against the design, an obvious sign.
- Live With Your Laminate
As low as $5, the majority of manufacturers will let you buy a sample of their planks or tile to try out in your home. You can purchase the sample from their website and you will receive a sample and catalog, sometimes even an invoice or mail-in rebate towards the final purchase. Set up your samples in rooms where you intend to put laminate flooring in and remain with them for a while. What do they look like in conjunction with your wall and furniture color? Do you prefer the same samples as the light changes different hours during the day?
- High-Pressure Laminate v.s.Direct-Pressure Laminat
The main difference in High Pressure Laminate (HPL) or Direct Pressure Laminate (DPL) lies mostly within the layers. The greater the number of layers you have, the more effective. The more layers you have, the greater protection from the elements and children! The general rule is that HPL is a minimum five layer while DPL only has three layers. HPL is more expensive however, if you’re installing it in areas with high traffic it’s worth the price.
One of the primary methods to determine the difference between a laminate floor or natural is the sound it emits when you walk across it. It is evident that HPL is the best preference if noise is an important concern for you because the layers added to the floor can help reduce the sound. It is also possible to purchase laminate flooring that has sound barrier layers that are added to the floor.
- Laminate Floor Installation
Laminate flooring is a great option for DIY types, because it’s relatively easy to set up. It is possible to buy a floor that has glue already applied on the edges. Simply soak them in water to make the glue active. If you purchase Installation kits ($25-$500) it is possible to lay your laminate flooring yourself. You can expect to lay between 100-300 feet per day, based on the type of floor and the number of friends you have!
Three Types of Laminate Floor Installation
If you are deciding on the best installation for your laminate flooring, it is all about the glue. It is possible to purchase a glue laminate that needs the use of glue on every piece before you place it on the floor. As mentioned above the laminate that is pre-glued is dampened prior to fitting the pieces. Another option is a non-glue laminate that has a mechanism that connects the groove and tongue together to secure the floor in the proper position. The glue laminate takes longer to set up and will require you wait longer to walk on them after they have been installed.
- Manufacturer’s Reputation
To ensure that your flooring meets industry standards, be sure it is stamped with the seal of approval of NALFA. North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA).
