How to choose laminate flooring
Choosing the flooring for a newly remodeled part of the house can be a big decision. Laminate flooring can be an excellent way to make to put the perfect finishing touches on that new room. Laminate flooring is a great option because it is durable, there are many different kinds to choose from, and they are usually more inexpensive than using tile or wood to finish a floor. But, how can a person know which laminate flooring to choose? Here are a few tips on how to choose laminate flooring that will make the house look great without the high sales price.
Quality vs. Necessity
One great thing about laminate flooring is that there are many different quality grades to choose from. Laminate floors come in different thicknesses, densities, and chemical treatments. The best way to know how to choose between the many options available is to know the traffic amount for the area where the flooring will be placed. If the area is a high traffic area, a higher quality laminate may necessary to hold up to the constant abuse. However, if the area will be a low traffic area, a lower quality laminate may serve just fine.
Another thing to consider when choosing the quality of laminate flooring for a remodeling project is how long it will be used. For example, if a family is planning on moving from their current home in three years, there really isn't a point in buying a super high quality laminate because chances are once they move the new owner will replace the floor anyway. The current owner can save some money by buying a less expensive and yet still attractive laminate.
Choose an Appropriate Core
Choosing an appropriate core is important to ensure that the laminate is able to withstand the abuse it will take, but also to meet the wants of the home owner. Laminate flooring comes in a variety of thicknesses that are built to stand up to different amounts of abuse. Some are so thick that instead of the traditional roll out laminate, the pieces come in strips and snap together to create an imitation wood floor. Generally, the thicker the core of the laminate, the better it will hold up.
Also, make sure the laminate meets the wants of the home owner. If the home owner wants to walk across what looks like a wood floor and feel like they are walking across a wood floor without actually putting in a real wood floor, then maybe the imitation wood floor is what is wanted. But, if the owner doesn't care what the floor feels like as long as it looks like wood, maybe a traditional roll out laminate that looks like a wood floor would suffice.
Floating or Fastened
Laminate floors can be installed in two ways. Fastened means the floor is glued or fastened in some way to the existing floor, and floating mean the floor is simple set down over the existing floor and the weight of the laminate keeps it from moving. Both have their pros and cons. A fastened floor will be great for someone looking to cover a simple plywood or cement floor. There is no real reason to protect the original floor and the laminate will feel more real.
However, if someone wanted to put laminate over an existing wood floor that may be finished later, a floating floor may be better. The floor will protect the wood floor without leaving any damage.
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Tags: laminate flooring core tile wood quality laminate imitation wood floor fastened floor floating floor
