The Advantages to Installing Laminate Flooring
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Posted On :
Mar-31-2011
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Article Word Count :
693
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If you want to update your flooring, most people agree that wood is the best option. It's beautiful, easy to keep clean and opens up any room. The downside is that the wood is expensive and difficult to install,
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What Is Laminate?
If you want to update your flooring, most people agree that wood is the best option. It's beautiful, easy to keep clean and opens up any room. The downside is that the wood is expensive and difficult to install, so most homeowners never go ahead with the decision to install one. The alterative – laminate flooring. Made to look just like the real thing, faking wood floors has never been easier.
This type of synthetic floor looks like real wood because it is an actual photograph of wood, stuck between a clear plastic covering and fiberboard backing. Since the photograph captures the different grains in the wood, the boards feature an authentic appearance, with plenty of variation and seamless integration.
Why Choose Laminate?
Early selections of laminate flooring were prone to scratches and water damage, but better machinery has dramatically improved this floor. The boards are treated with a low sheen finish that wards off scratches and stands up to basic wear and tear. The underlayment helps protect the boards from water damage, giving you time to clean up spills. If you do face damage on one of the boards, many manufacturers offer repair kits. In the worst case scenario, you can replace the floor board with a new piece, depending on where it is.
Another advantage to this type of floor is that it can be installed over concrete or pre-existing floors. This saves you from having to rip up floors that are glued down, such as sheet vinyl. And with the improved resistance to water, this synthetic wood flooring has been a popular choice for bathrooms and kitchens.
Laminate has many other great qualities, including its affordable price and freedom to do-it-yourself. The average price for this type of floor is $1.30 per square foot, making it economical, costing less than wood and carpet. To keep costs down, you can install the boards yourself, as most work with a snap-and-lock system that snaps the floor boards into one another. This doesn't require any wood glue, making it mess-free. However, many homeowners have found that the boards with pre-glued edges are best, as these form a tight seal and keep out water. The glue is activated with a simple drop of water instead of using glue products.
What to Look for
Even with all the great qualities of laminate flooring, not all are created equal. You'll find that many home improvement stores and outlets run specials on this type of floor, costing less than the average price of $1.30. While these prices may seem enticing, you'll want to be sure that the floor is worth the value. One way to ensure the quality is by looking for the seal from the National Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA). The floor should also be manufactured under 1,400 pounds per square inch of pressure. This high-pressure floor is more resistant to impact and water than those that have been manufactured under less pressure.
Next, look for the thickness of the floor. Most types of laminate flooring are between 6mm and 12mm, with the thicker selections having a less hollow sound, rivaling real wood floors. If you can't afford the thicker floor boards however, consider placing down a superior underlayment that will help drown out some of the hollow noise. Also determine how much foot traffic your floors will receive, as more traffic means you'll need a better quality floor. If you choose to skimp in this area, you'll find yourself needing to replace the floor in five years or less.
Finally, ask the salesperson about the warranty. At the minimum, the floor should be guaranteed for ten years or more. Most quality floors are warranted for 20 to 25 years. While these longer warranties certainly add to your peace of mind, they won't be able to "fix" a broken floor. Unfortunately, laminate cannot be refinished, which means it will need to be replaced when it becomes worn. Also, be sure to read up on the warranty regarding floors laid in bathrooms and kitchens, as some warranties won't cover floors in "wet areas".
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_The Advantages to Installing Laminate Flooring_57793.aspx
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Author Resource :
Gina Hopkins writes about different home renovation tips and the latest from Flooring America, out of St. Louis, MO. Always looking for the best bargain on renovation materials, Laminate Flooring she tends to end up shopping at http://www.flooringamerica.com more often than not.
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Keywords :
Laminate Flooring,
Category :
Home and Family
:
Interior Design
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