Previously laminates were quite easy to notice, however modern technology allows for very genuine looking flooring which is increasing in complexity and sophistication. This makes for very realistic textures that match that of many homes. Some of the very popular laminate styles are matching that of natural wood or stone, as people like to have these at home.
If the price is too high for the real thing, a laminate floor will do just as well. Also maintaining this type of flooring is much easier than taking care of the real wood.
Laminate cost much less than regular wood flooring and this is why. Although it looks just like the real wood floor, there is no actual wood used in its construction. There are several materials glued together under a very strong pressure. A moisture resistant layer is added to a high density layer of fireboard. On top there is a layer of high resolution image of some kind of natural wood flooring which is finished with a very hard and clear coating allowing to show through the high quality image.
This is why it is very easy to confuse laminate with real wood unless you are carefully looking.
Some of the benefits of a laminated flooring are:
Superior stain and fade resistance
High durability
Can be installed over many types of subfloors allowing for greater flexibility of material
Great impact and resistance of indentation
Low cost compare to real wood
Very realistically looking
Easily replaceable later on
No nails involved in installation
Easy and quick installation
Laminate flooring can be installed in practically any room of your home.
However there are some locations that it is not recommended to be used, such as in the bathroom or washroom, in the sauna or veranda, simply because the locations might be wet. This will make the laminate warp or even swell due to the water. If you do happen to spill water on the laminate surface, you need to mop it up right away so it can dry immediately.
Prior to installing the laminate floor there are a few things you need to be aware of:
The subfloor should be dry, flat and smooth
You can install it over wood flooring, vinyl tile, concrete, tile, linoleum and pretty much over every surface that is smooth and flat
Read carefully the instruction manual that comes from the manufacturer for proper installation and handling
Check each flooring panel for any damage or defects that might exist before installing and replace with a good piece
If you are on a tight budget, laminate flooring is your best option. If you want, however, better quality and durability using real wood while still maintaining low costs, you should check out the engineered wood floor articles on my website at http://www.engineeredwoodfloor.org/ for something better.
