What is Laminate Flooring?

History
Most people are very familiar with Laminate counter tops.We have several manufacturers who have become household names, such as Formica. In fact, most people refer to their counters as a "Formica" counter top. These same people have no idea that this is not a "kind" of counter, but rather a manufacturer of this type of surface. This existing technology has been transformed in such a way that we can now make flooring out of the essentially the same material.
By adding 'resins', extremely wear resistant top layers, and a center core, Laminate Floors were born. These products have been in Europe for 20 to 30 years.laminate Flooring is simply a multi-layered; wood based floating floor system.

Wear layer
Pattern, "image" layer
Processed wood core: usually M.D.F. (medium density fiber board) or H.D.F. (high density fiber board)
Balancing layer (usually with a moisture barrier)

These layers are manufactured into flooring by one of two methods. They are either High Pressure Laminates (HPL), or Direct Pressure Laminates (DPL). With the DPL method, all the layers are bonded together under extreme heat and pressure at one time. HPL is done in more than one step. Typically the wear layer and image layer are bonded together, and than those two layers are bonded to the core in a separate step.

Warranties
Most carry wear warranties ranging form 10 to 25 years but new products are starting to introduce "Lifetime" warranties. Several products on the market also have "water" or "moisture" warranties. It is very important to check with the manufacturer as to EXACTLY what their warranty does and does not cover. Do not be afraid to ask questions. All major manufacturers have toll free information phone lines, websites etc. You are their customer and they are available to answer your inquiries.

Installation Overview
Installations can either be with or without glue depending on the product you choose, and you have the option to hire a professional or "do-it-yourself".

Laminate floors are here to stay. No other flooring will allow the versatility of having a "cherry" and "ceramic tile" pattern - together as one floor, "floating" over concrete in a basement rec.-room. Laminate floors look great, are easy to maintain, value priced and durable.

You can install laminates in the upper, main or basement floors of your home or cottage. Due to the floating nature of the product, concerns about moisture levels in basements are eliminated. Planks can be protected from moisture by installing a vapor barrier under the underlay. The most widely accepted moisture barrier is a sheet of 6-mil poly (plastic). All manufacturers have specific requirements for their products, so you should check with your manufacturer before installing the floor.

Commercial as well as residential laminate flooring is available. Typically the commercial versions have fewer pattern and color choices to pick from. These industrial laminate floors will often come with a 15-year commercial warranty. Specific limitations will apply, so again, please consult with your local dealer or the manufacturer to see if you qualify for the full warranty.

In general laminate flooring is perhaps the most versatile type of flooring on the market today. It is a very durable, and well-constructed product. Many brands carry a lifetime structural warranty and up to a 15 year commercial wear warranty. It is a very attractive and easy floor to maintain. Available as planks and tiles in a wide array of colors, patterns and styles. It can be installed above, below or on grade and can be used in any room in the house and in most commercial areas as well.

Laminate flooring exists in many shapes, sizes and colors, but most of all: it is a viable option for ALMOST ANY APPLICATION

General daily maintenance requires vacuuming, sweeping and dust mopping. Several generic cleaning solutions are also available to clean laminate floors. Most major laminate flooring manufacturers also have their own cleaning kits with instructions. Most kits contain a terry cloth mop and a spray-on cleaning solution. The cleaner is sprayed onto the mop-head and then the floor is wiped clean. It is very important that you follow the maintenance schedule of the product you purchase. Ask your retailer or manufacturer on the specifics of maintaining your floor. Virtually all of the warranties require a specific maintenance schedule be followed.

Laminate floors are fade, stain, dent, burn and scratch resistant. However, it is still possible that you may end up with a scratch, "nick" or dent that will require repair. Laminate flooring is very tough, but it is not "bullet proof". If a problem arises, there are a few ways to repair or hide the damage.

The first and most difficult method is to replace the affected board(s). All manufacturers have instructions on "How to replace a board". This will require some tools, patience and skill. "Glue-less" laminate floors should be the easiest when board replacement is required. To replace a board you must follow the specific instructions of the manufacturer of the flooring you are installing, or hire a professional. If you decide to hire a professional installer, make sure that they follow the instructions as well. Although they have "done it before", remember that it is your warranty you must consider.
Major manufacturers also have "touch up" kits available. These kits may include acrylic or latex putty, wax pencils or crayons. This type of repair kit is for small scratches and/or dents. These kits are a very cost effective way of repairing your laminate flooring.
The best way to keep your laminate floor looking its best is to understand its limitations. You must follow the maintenance techniques and schedules of the flooring you purchase. Do not mop any laminate floor with soap or water. You should also use floor protectors (felt or other) under chairs and other furniture on the flooring. As stated earlier, laminate flooring is a very durable flooring option, however, it can be damaged. With proper care, you will enjoy your laminate floor for many years to come.

Get the look of hardwood flooring with laminates.

•Price and Installation
Laminate flooring is cheaper and easier to install than hardwood flooring.You can find goo deals from wholesalers and from online distributors. Laminate flooring can be placed on top of almost any existing floor, excluding carpet, and several manufacturers offer a glue-free, tongue-and-groove system. The interlocking planks make it an easy installation for weekend warriors and it can be uninstalled without damaging the laminate or the original flooring underneath.

•Durability
Laminate flooring works well in high-traffic areas and homes with pets. It is scratch-resistant, durable and easy to clean. Just use a dust mop or a mop dampened with water. Most manufacturers offer at least a 10-year warranty on their product.

•Resale Value
Laminate flooring can add to the resale value of your home. Most home buyers are looking for hardwood floors instead of carpet. Laminate gives you the wood look for less and can make your home look more open and modern. It also is environmentally friendly because it uses less wood – if any – in its construction.

•Cons of Laminate Floors

•Noise
Laminate flooring does not absorb sound well and can have a hollow sound when you walk on it, particularly in high heels. Using an acoustic underlay will help reduce the noise, but it still may be a nuisance. Laminate also lacks the visual warmth of other materials, including hardwood.

•Buyers Know It’s Not Hardwood
Although laminate floors will increase a home’s value compared to wall-to-wall carpeting, hardwood floors will increase it even more. Buyers generally can tell the difference between laminate and hardwood or stone, and they prefer natural materials.

•Design Options
Another drawback is that the look of the flooring is set by the manufacturer. Color and sheen cannot be customized so choices are limited, and a buyer may not like your selection. Hardwood floors can be sanded and re-stained.

•Warping
The materials in laminate flooring are moisture resistant, but the floors can warp in high-moisture areas. There is a debate over whether it should be installed in kitchens and bathrooms or other rooms that are exposed to heavy water or steam. Most manufactures warn that laminate flooring will be damaged by standing pools of water. This is true of other materials as well, but hardwood floors may be able to be sanded and refinished. Laminate floors would have to be replaced. The material is still relatively new, so it isn’t clear how this type of flooring will hold up over time.

Before You Buy
Homeowners thinking about buying laminate floors should visit a few stores before making a decision. Talk with a store associate and research the different manufacturers. Some companies use different materials or construction methods.

Price is not always reflective of the quality of flooring. Taking into account the total price of the flooring project is also prudent, according to the World Floor Covering Association. Additional costs can come from such items as furniture removal and replacement, demolition and disposal of the previous floor covering, sub floor preparation and product delivery

Unlike hardwood, laminate floors will not stain, fade, dent and are far more scratch and water resistant. Entry level laminate wood flooring is designed for light traffic areas and come with warranties ranging from 10 to 15 years. Most people set their expectations too high and expect that entry level floors will perform under heavy traffic conditions and still look good for the duration of the warranty. This is however not the case, as an entry level floor subject to high traffic will start to show wear and tear within three to five years.

Laminate floors come with cores ranging from 6mm up to 12mm. A thicker core is more stable, less vulnerable to buckling and will sound more like real hardwood when walked on. Good quality cores are treated with water repellent chemicals, and resist swelling due to excessive moisture. This is very important especially when considering placing laminate wood flooring in bathrooms and kitchen. For these applications also consider a floor that has Paraffin wax impregnated joints. The Paraffin wax acts as a water repellent and will prevent topical water spills from penetrating down to the core. Also remember to scrutinize the warranty, as certain products are not covered for use in bathrooms and kitchens.

Buying the floors that suits your needs will save you money in the long run. This is not to say that every home requires a high end floor with an extensive warranty. Consider the amount of traffic as well as the amount of time you intend staying in your current home. There is no point in purchasing an expensive floor with an extended warranty if you plan on moving in the near future. Remember, the floor is usually the first thing replaced by people when moving to a new home.

Laminate wood flooring offers the best combination of quality and value in a wide range of colors, styles and designs and are also engineered engineered for exceptional strength and durability and will last for years and years. For a rich and long-lasting experience, at a home friendly price, choose l-a-m-i-n-a-t-e; it's a natural look for your home and for the way you want to live.

Laminate wood floors historySince their introduction in the 1980,s, the sector has experienced growth of up to 20% per annum at the expense of other floor types, making laminate the fastest growing floor type in the country. The appeal lies not only in its aesthetic value of its representation of real hardwood, but also due to its incredible durability and ease of maintenance.

The traditional look of hardwood is timeless; its beauty has brought a sense of comfort and elegance to homes around the world for many generations. Hardwood floors are however pricey, not very durable and require a fair amount of routine maintenance and care. Even the most recent technological advancements in surface treatment have not been able to solve such problems as scratching, fading, denting and staining. This has lead to the invention of laminate wood floors. With its machine made construction and hardwood photographic laminated surface, this floor is the perfect solution for the look and appeal of real hardwood that is more durable and requires less maintenance.

Cleaning Laminate Flooring
 
how to clean laminate flooring and keep it looking its best
 
 
The after care that laminate flooring requires is very little and extremely simple. Cleaning laminate flooring, if carried out regularly, can keep your floor looking like new for many years to come.

A simply brush over with a soft headed brush or a very slightly damp mop, is all that is needed when cleaning laminate flooring. Follow this with the use of a vacuum cleaner around the edges of the room, and that is all that is generally required.

Special cleaning pads are available which look very much like a mop, and have replaceable wipes that wrap around the pad which attracts the dust, etc. and these make cleaning laminate flooring even easier.

 
Make sure that if you use a mop you do not soak the floor, as this could cause the edges of the laminate boards to start to expand and the whole floor may start to buckle. For stain removal, do not use a strong detergent. Use a mild, non-abrasive cleaner.

For large cleaning of stains, etc. on laminate flooring, use a mop with ammonia or a mixture of water and vinegar.

Where ever possible try to use citrus-based cleaners, and not the conventional soap-based cleaners.

Always test a new cleaning product on an area of laminate flooring that is out of sight, such as under the cooker or fridge for example.

When cleaning laminate flooring do not use steel wool, sand paper, or scouring powder on the laminate surface, and also never try to sand, wax, or apply lacquer to the laminate flooring.
 
 
To avoid any marks that could potentionally be left by furniture, use felt pads under the furniture legs, etc.

Try to always use a door mat at every exterior doorway. This helps trap any dirt etc., but also traps small stones and grit which may scratch the surface of your laminate flooring.

Always read the "care" instructions concerning cleaning laminate flooring, that come with your purchase, and adhere to them. The manufacturers care instructions would overide any care instructions shown on this page.

By following the manufacturers instructions and these supplementary tips on cleaning laminate flooring, your floor should look as good as the day it was installed, for many years to come
 

Most laminate flooring can withstand household accidents such as cigarette burns, spilling bleach, etc.
Laminate flooring is resistant to scratches and furniture marks, and it is also 15 times stronger than a hardwood floor.
A laminate floor doesn’t need resanding or refinishing unlike a real wood floor. However this can be to its disadvantage over a period of a few years as the laminate flooring would eventually need replacing, whereas the real wood flooring could be sanded down and refinished like new once again.