Renovators can be spoilt for choice when choosing a floor covering for their property. Tiles, natural stone, hardwoods and carpet are the most common floor materials considered, but in recent years, laminate flooring has been widely installed due to its many versatile features. Installing laminate flooring in your home can create a natural aesthetic for much less. Its most compelling feature is the low cost to supply and install, making it easy on the wallet compared to other flooring options on the market.
WHAT IS LAMINATE FLOORING MADE FROM?
Laminate flooring can be misidentified as a hardwood, when in fact it imitates a timber floor. The floor boards are appliqued with a photographic layer – which looks like timber and is protected with a clear layer to give it a hardwood appearance. The inner core is made from fibreboard and melamine resin which makes it more rigid than vinyl.
Installing laminate flooring in your home is an easy application as the boards click and lock together like a floating floor. There is no need for nails or glue to fasten the boards to the existing floor.
THE BENEFITS OF LAMINATE FLOORING
#1 COST
Laminate flooring is much cheaper than hardwood timber flooring, yet it offers a similar look. It’s a flooring material that offers both quality and class, suiting a wide range of budgets.
#2 EASY TO INSTALL
The click and lock assembly of laminate flooring makes it a straightforward installation compared to other flooring options on the market. It can be installed on any sub-floor type like concrete, tiles, hardwood or stone, except for carpet. It’s important that the sub-floor isn’t compromised by moisture as this can affect a laminate floor over time. A moisture protective layer may need to be installed prior to the laminate being laid over the top. Apart from that, there is little sub-floor preparation needed when installing laminate floors as there are no glues, adhesives, or nails needed for installation. Laminate flooring doesn’t need to be fitted by a professional; it’s easy for a DIY renovator to install.
#3 VERSATILE RANGE AVAILABLE
Like hardwood floors, laminate flooring can come in range of colours and woodgrain imitations. The boards can simulate a number of different natural hardwood floors which makes it a great choice if you’re set on a particular look but have a limited budget. There are also laminate floors that can imitate natural stone and ceramic floors if the timber look is not your preference.
#4 EASY TO CLEAN
The top clear layer on laminate floors makes it an easy surface to clean. It is resistant to outdoor elements like the sun that can cause other floor materials to fade. The top cover of a laminate floor also helps it repel dirt, footprints and scuff marks that are notorious for showing up on tiles and hardwood floors. Laminate flooring can be cleaned with a vacuum, broom or swifter. A damp mop with a hardwood floor cleaner can be used to wash the floors. Laminate floors are resistant to mould and bacteria which make it a fairly easy surface to maintain.
#5 EASILY MANUFACTURED AND PACKAGED
Unlike hardwood floors that need to sit in an environment for 3-6 weeks so they can acclimatize to temperature and pressure, laminate flooring can be installed in 36 hours. The laminate floor boards can be delivered to site in 4 foot strips, compared to hardwood planks that are 8 to 10 foot in length.
#6 ALLOWS FOR MOVEMENT
Due to the interlocking of the planks and its floating floor qualities, laminate flooring is able to expand and contract if pressure and temperature change. This prevents the floor from buckling and snapping against the subfloor, offering longevity in installation and wear.
Installing laminate flooring in your home is a well-considered floor choice and its benefits are many and varied.
If you are considering laminate flooring for your property, why not contact the team at Bennetts Carpets who can show you the range available to suit your requirements. They have a great range of laminate flooring to suit all budgets and interiors.
