Laminate Flooring

To put it simply, it would be hard to find a flooring product more versatile than laminate. Besides the incredible and sheer amount of variety of colors and finishes, you can also choose between installation methods. Thus, laminate flooring is pretty much the flooring that will suit your needs, whatever your situation.

The first thing you need to understand about laminate flooring is that it shouldn't be confused with engineered wood flooring. While both are made of layers of material bonded (or in other words, laminated) together for strength, engineered wood flooring is made only of wood materials. Laminate floors on the other hand are made up of several materials such as resin, wood fiber and Kraft paper (the actual materials in your laminate flooring will vary by and be dependant upon the manufacturer you purchase it from). These materials are then compacted under pressure to create the final product. And most often with laminate flooring, the flooring is made into planks, as if to resemble real wood.

"Wood" is the most popular type of laminate flooring, however it is not the only type available as laminate flooring is expanding rapidly. To get the look of the marble, slate, or hardwood, an image is printed from film onto a thin decorative layer, which serves as the surface of the laminate. This surface is then treated with a wearlayer to give it durability and keep the image from rubbing off. The high resolution of the film allows an extremely authentic a

pearance, which accounts for why this has becomes such a popular flooring type. Laminate may look like hardwood, or tile, but the finished material is similar in feel to a kitchen countertop, so it generally does not feel like tile, etc.

One of the great things about laminate floors is that they are floating floors, meaning that they aren't attached to the subfloor. The flooring is sold as tongue and groove planks where the planks lock together in a tongue and groove manner, which makes installation incredibly easy, and great for the do-it-yourselfers. This is another big plus of laminate flooring, you really do not have to pay someone else to install it. With proper preparation, installation is possible over concrete, vinyl, tile and even some carpet, which means less rip out and work before hand as well. Basically laminate is great. Some are glued together with the tongue and groove method as well, and some really do not require anything extra.

Another big plus of laminate flooring is that it can be installed on all grade levels, and because it's durable and easy to clean, it's a perfect floor for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or any room that has a lot of traffic. Basically, laminate flooring is the wonder flooring for those on a budget, because it means you can get the look of the luxury at a fraction of the price, and a fraction of the work. And who wouldn't like to save time and money? I mean really? So, enjoy the variety, versatility, and durable use of laminate flooring in your home.

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