Category: Flooring News
Moldings can help ensure that your laminate floor fits well with the décor found in the rest of your home or office, and that they deliver as transitions between rooms and levels, they are also the finishing touches to your flooring project. The secret lies in finding the right type of molding to use for the right job. There are instances when consistency is preferred in between rooms, and there are other times when diversity is more suited. To convert from laminate flooring to another style of flooring (tile or carpet, for instance), an end cap or square nose molding may be utilized. It is useful when converting onto irregular surfaces, joining floor surfaces that are not of the same size, and on floorings near sliding doors. Converting between floors of different materials may be done using reducer moldings. T moldings are used in doorways and in particularly long rooms to join areas together. The molding’s T shape joins two different laminates together to create a smooth transition. It isvital, however, that the two surfaces to be joined by the T molding be of the same size. Any difference in height may cause a break in one of the arms of the molding. Baseboard moldings are used to transition from floor to wall. Base shoe moldings, on the other hand, look like baseboard moldings but with a shallower profile, and are used in order to preserve the look of an existing baseboard. Quarter round moldings are similar to base shoe moldings in possessing a rounded exterior profile. This type of molding is suited for use behind cabinets, because low profile moldings are better suited to support objects placed against the wall. They are also used to cover the expansion gap between the flooring and the wall. To trim the edges of staircases covered in laminate flooring, stairnose moldings are the right choice. This type of molding is used to trim down the edges of laminate flooring laid on stair steps, providing a unique finishing touch on your laminate flooring project. Figuring out which type of molding to use for your laminate flooring is not as hard at it seems at first. You first need to write down which areas need which moldings and you then measure these areas. From that, you calculate for the number of moldings that you need. Once you get your moldings, you can install them and enjoy your beautiful laminate floors.
Laminate, a diverse and functional flooring material, was developed to meet homeowners’ needs, can also be used in commercial settings. As a commercial floor, laminate is very popular because it requires minimal care and commercial-grade laminate flooring is made to cope with the heavy influx of traffic that goes with these busy settings. How to Pick a Commercial Laminate Floor If you’re looking to refurbish an office or showroom, you’ll no doubt want to pick an interesting floor that will help impress potential customers. Obtaining the look you’re after is easy, since the wide range of laminate flooring options are nicely designed to replicate the look of natural floor coverings like hardwood. It may be difficult to pick because there are so many stylish options to choose from. Along with style, the most important thing to look for in a laminate floor for your commercial setting is its AC rating. Laminate floors are subject to AC ratings, which are common terms used to indicate the staying power of laminate flooring. These ratings will tell you where a particular laminate floor is best fitted for installation and the amount of foot traffic it can handle. Knowing the AC rating of a laminate floor is vital because choosing a laminate floor that has a lower rating than your intended application can cause major problems. It may not be able to withstand the high traffic levels that a commercial setting usually brings, which can lead to unsightly scratches and even cracks in the long run. Since these issues can be bad for your business, it’s best to choose a laminate floor that is appropriate for your commercial space. Laminate floors are rated from AC1 to AC5. AC1-AC2 laminate floors are better fitted for residential applications rather than commercial applications. AC4-AC5 rated laminate floors are the ones you should pick when planning for laminate flooring in commercial areas. AC3 laminate floors can also be used in light commercial settings as well.
There are a few things to keep in mind before purchasing laminate flooring, and after you’ve installed it.Laminate flooring is usually a low cost and low maintenance , however here are some important dos and don’ts: Do: Examine the area in which you intend to install your floor. Consider the amount of foot traffic and moisture levels in particular to be sure that your choice of flooring is appropriate. This is when and where you should check the AC rating of your chosen laminate floor Choose a quality underlaymentto protect against humidity coming from underneath. Read the manual that came with the flooring very carefully Employ a professional if you’re uncertain how to advance Be certain that your subfloor is level, clean, and dry Leave a 10mm gap, when installing, around the perimeter of your installation area as well as any fixed objects in the center. Laminate will respond to temperature changes over time and you need to give it room to expand Keep the laminate floor clear of dust and dirt. Use a dry mop or a vacuum cleaner for this purpose. Use protective pads on the feet of all furniture to lower the danger of scratching the laminate flooring Lift large furniture instead of dragging or pulling it, when you can In case you don’t have pads, use a piece of carpet face down on the floor under large objects while moving them. Direct exposure of sunlight can fade your flooring’s surface. Keep your curtains or blinds drawn during time of extreme heat and sunlight. Don’t: Install laminate flooring over a rug Install laminate flooring in areas exposed to excessive humidity The first row is the base of the installation.Continue with your installation if your first row is not straight. Use wax, polish, or abrasive cleansers on your laminate flooring. This can ruin the finish and the overall look of the laminate Try to seal, lacquer, finish or sand your laminate floor Use soap-based cleaning materials or “mop-and-shine” products Walk on the laminate floor while wearing stiletto heels or athletic footwear with spikes or metal cleats Flood the floor when cleaning. It’s important to minimize moisture levels on the laminate floor. If excessive moisture finds its way underneath the flooring, it can cause the boards to swell For more detail on how to install and maintain a laminate floor, it’s helpful to talk directly with the professionals. Valuable resources include contractors with experience installing laminate floors, and BuildDirect’s knowledgeable product experts. They can also help you be the best ally for your laminate floor to ensure it has a long life.
Due to its distinct composition laminate is one of the most ‘low-maintenance’ materials on the market. Laminate flooring is usually made up of various layers fused together to form a flooring board. There are four main layers: the wear layer, the pattern layer (also known as the image layer), the processed wood core (made of fiberboard), and a balancing layer on top of that. Strength under stress A water barrier and scratch resistance layer is generally incorporated within these layers. These various layers are secured together using high pressure to ensure that the laminate floor produced is highly resistant. The pressure also makes sure that the layers stick together and have a lasting look for many years. A floating finish Before the invention of floating floor boards, laminated floors had to be glued to the subfloor. However, with the advent of the tongue-and-groove method, individual planks can be interlocked to form the flooring bed to give a complete finish. Floating laminate floors have many things in favor over glue down options, some of which include: A floating laminate floor can be installed by simply floating the flooring boards over the original flooring or subfloor.It can be conveniently installed over many different types of existing floors, whatever material the subfloor is made of. Whether it is plywood, concrete slab, or OSBA floating laminate floor does not have to be installed by the tedious and demanding processes of a nail-down or glue-down installation. It requires less effort and time for the installation. The wear layer is thick and solid, giving it the feel of a hardwood. Any small or large part of a floating laminate floor can be replaced anytime for multiple reasons, including wear and tear. A floating laminate floor has the ease of care of a usual laminate floor, yet it is durable and resistant as a hardwood floor. Because of this, it’s not surprising that floating laminate floors are consistently popular with homeowners.
Flooring options, like so many other things, have been steadily increasing over the years, giving homeowners and builders a lot of options. Picking a floor that fits for you includes a number of attractive choices such as wood, tile, marble, stone, and more. For wood flooring options there are 2 styles that stand out: hardwood as the traditional option and laminate flooring as the more popular option at a time. Tradition and Innovation For residences and commercial buildings hardwood flooring is the traditional choice because of its reliability as a solid flooring material. Laminate flooring, on the other hand, is a more modern advancement. It has been in use in Europe for many years, which is where it begun, and is steadily gaining demand in North America. Many say that laminate flooring is a worthy alternative for hardwood flooring. Basic Differences Although they both offer advantages, being similar in presentation, hardwood flooring and laminate flooring are often compared to each other. Despite having very different surfaces they both offer advantages to the homeowner. Traditional hardwood flooring offers a solid natural surface, whereas laminate is a replica, manufactured from paper, fiberboard, and innovative print technology. Wood Grain Patterns and Colors Laminate flooring is a image of wood that is laminated onto a base, whereas hardwood flooring has naturally beautiful and noticeable grain patterns and rich color ranges that set the standard for laminate flooring, which also exhibits beautiful and distinct grain patterns found in wood. Cost Comparisons Laminate delivers on look, while being made up of less costly materials.Cost-wise, it is no wonder that hardwood is ordinarily more expensive than laminate flooring. Hardwood is often the flooring of choice in more prosperous settings and where the added structural strength is valuable. Laminate flooring adds no such durability. Care & Upkeep Differences for Hardwood and Laminate Flooring Where as hardwood can be refinished laminate floors can not be repaired.They are easier to maintain compared to traditional wood floors and another advantage of laminate flooring is that it can be installed on pretty much any flat, dry, and clean surface.
Underlayment is very imporant for you laminate floor installation. It has the purpose of adding a level of comfort to laminate floors, providing soundproofing qualities, helps to protect the flooring from moisture, and helps to even out minor imperfections of the subfloor. We put together a list of the major types . . . Read more
Customers who wish for excellent imitations of solid wood floors, with some extra benefits, choose buying laminate flooring. We present you a quick review with the advantages and workability of laminate flooring. Even if laminate wood flooring is not real wood but has recently become a famous alternative to real wood . . . Read more
Bamboo flooring might be the best solution for your renovation since it is a very durable choice but also a versatile surface suitable for a different kinds of climates. Bamboo and moisture levels The moisture level in the area is a big concern with all flooring options. Bamboo flooring has . . . Read more
Bamboo is rapidly gaining reputation for uses as household and commercial flooring. What happens after harvesting. Even if some of you find it odd to think of bamboo as a type of grass which serves as a strong flooring surface, this choice becomes more popular every day. Bamboo flooring also attractive, long lasting . . . Read more
Bamboo floors are a stunning option for your residential or commercial project. It also has the durability you wish for when it comes to flooring that is meant to last. Regular cleaning is the simple way you can keep your flooring long lasting. We created a list of the best . . . Read more