Selecting a Laminate Floor to Suite Your Needs

The traditional look of hardwood flooring 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 flooring. With its machine made construction and hardwood photographic laminated surface, laminate flooring is the perfect solution for the look and appeal of real hardwood floors that are more durable and require less maintenance.

Since the introduction of laminate flooring into the US in 1982, the sector has experienced growth of up to 20% per annum at the expense of other flooring types, making laminate flooring the fastest growing flooring type in the country. Its 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. Laminate flooring is built to withstand the rigors of today's active lifestyles.

Unlike hardwood, laminate flooring will not stain, fade, dent and is far more scratch and water resistant. Laminate warranties range from 10 years to lifetime and cover such factors as mentioned above. Entry level laminates are 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 an entry level laminate 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 laminate subject to high traffic will start to show wear and tear within three to five years.

Buying the laminate flooring that suits your needs will save you money in the long run. This is not to say that every home requires a high end laminate 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, flooring is usually the first thing replaced by people when moving to a new home.

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 laminate cores are treated with water repellent chemicals, and resist swelling due to excessive moisture. This is very important especially when considering placing laminate floors in bathrooms and kitchens. For these applications also consider a laminate 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 laminate core. Also remember to scrutinize the warranty, as certain laminate floors are not covered for use in bathrooms and kitchens.

The introduction of glueless locking mechanisms has opened the door to the DIY market. The absence of glue allows for a quicker installation and easier repair, and unlike other flooring materials that require specialist knowledge and equipment, these floors can be installed by people with no prior experience and no specialized tools. The ability to install the floor without having to hire an installer will save you a considerable amount of money.

This artcile was written by Barry Hutch of Contract Resources. Visit their website at: Guide to flooring and Pergo floors

---

Home Fire Prevention Effectiveness 1

Are you aware that you can lose all your personal... Read More

10 Things You Can Do Now To Prepare For Hurricane Season

The 2005 hurricane season is right around the corner and... Read More

Seven Essential Color Concepts for Designing Spaces

Understanding a few essential color concepts will help you design... Read More

Avoiding Leaks When Installing Vinyl Retrofit Windows

These days a lot of homeowners are replacing their old... Read More

Selecting Color Schemes

Choosing a color scheme for a room can be a... Read More

Light Up Your Life

A house or any particular room can be carefully planned,... Read More

Why You Might Need a Waterproofing Consultant

Waterproof consultants perform a wide variety of functions. Why should... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Garage Conversions - What Value Do They Add?

Most conversion works to an existing structure is often more... Read More

Clearing the Air on What to Look for in an Air Purifier

If you are dedicated to improving the indoor air quality... Read More

Home Furnishings and Shelving

Its spring time and that means we start working on... Read More

Cheap Interior Design Ideas

Cheap interior design ideas come in many forms these days.... Read More

A Guide to Commercial Steel Buildings

Commercial steel buildings are prefabricated and custom-designed for use as... Read More

Ideas For Interior Design

Ideas for interior design are a dime a dozen these... Read More

You Say Jacuzzi and I Say Whirlpool

What's in a name? Whirlpool baths have been around forever,... Read More

Ladder Safety Tips

One of the many tools that home owners use regularly... Read More

The $27,000 Toilet Seat - Funny DIY Story

This story was told to me by a plumber I... Read More

Use Ladders Safely

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that each year more... Read More

Swimming Pools ? Lets Get Wet

"Beverly Hills. Swimming pools. Movie stars."That line from the theme... Read More

A Guide to Home Dehumidifiers

It can be difficult to choose from among the countless... Read More

Outdoor Kitchens ? Simple and Sophisticated

After September 11, many of us decided to stay closer... Read More

An Introduction to Waterproofing Systems

Many homeowners find it necessary to invest in a waterproofing... Read More

Hammocks Create a Stress Free Zone

Stress is all around us, from the office to the... Read More

What Are Light Fixtures Used For?

Light fixtures are something not many of us think about.... Read More

3 Great Reasons to Shop for Home Lighting Online

If you are a consumer who knows just what brand... Read More

Types Of Bedsteads

Selection of bedstead is also an important thing as selection... Read More

Warm & Toasty Outdoors with Patio Heaters

The Heat is On with... Read More

Replacing Your Sliding Glass Door Rollers

If the sliding glass doors in your home are more... Read More

How to Be Your Air Conditioner?s Best Friend

There are a few things you can do to take... Read More

Your Shower Door Can Have A Huge Impact On The Look And Feel Of Your Bathroom!

These days shower doors come in a wide variety of... Read More

Make Your Home Secure

The following list offers some inexpensive ways to make your... Read More

Heat Up the Hot Tub from 20,000 Feet

Homeowners are getting high-tech when it comes to controlling the... Read More

Electric Radiant and Floor Coverings

If the decision of what type radiant heating system to... Read More

The Organized Move: Preparing Your Home for the Publics Eye

(This is the first in a series of three articles... Read More