Facts about Laminate Flooring
>> Jan 14, 2014
If you’re planning to build a home or
renovate an existing one, you will find yourself spoilt for choices in home
designing and décor are plenty. While there are innumerable choices in paints,
lighting fixtures, kitchen designs and bathroom fittings, even flooring is
something that has enough choices available. The current trend in flooring is
laminate. This has its share of advantages and disadvantages when compared to
hardwood flooring or the conventional concrete, tile or marble floors. Knowing
some facts about laminate flooring can help make the right decision for your
home.
·
The
first important fact about this is that it is a manufactured material. Though
it looks like natural wood, it is just designed to be so. It is made of
high-density fiberboard with a print that makes it look like wood.
·
It
comes in easy to fix planks with grooves and just need to be put in place.
There is no need to nail or glue it to the surface. This also gives allowance
for expansion and contraction with weather changes. Although it sounds easy to
fit, it definitely requires some skill yet manageable by people who are game
for a bit of do-it-yourself flooring job.
·
The
material is made resistant to stains and scratches and hence suitable for homes
with pets and kids. It can take a fair amount of traffic too and is rather easy
to clean and maintain.
·
The
previous versions of this flooring were highly sensitive to moisture. The
slightest exposure to moisture or water leads the layers to swell. But with
high quality moisture barriers and better technology in laminate flooring have
addressed these concerns drastically.
·
The
material used is not affected by termites and does not develop moss and mildew
even. Hence it is perfectly safe for indoor as well as outdoor use. This is one
of the main disadvantages of hardwood floors.
·
Another
important fact is that it is not much affected by the elements. Hence there is
no significant discoloration or damage even when exposed to sunlight. Hardwood
floors can fade with wear and tear even indoors and would require periodic
polishing and waxing to regain its appearance.
·
The
other major advantage of this kind of flooring is that it is cost effective. It
is much cheaper to install and maintain this kind of floors and comes with a
life span of 20 years though a lot depends upon wear and tear as well.
The major drawbacks
of this kind of flooring include the fact that repairs and replacements can be
difficult. Finding a matching replacement may just be impossible as the design
may be out of production. Compared to hardwood flooring, laminate flooring
has a lesser lifespan and of course a synthetic feel to it. Another major
factor is that since these boards are usually made from formaldehyde
derivatives; choose a brand that guarantees safety and health parameters.
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