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Category: Flooring News

The Benefits of a Floating Laminate Floor

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 Showdown: Laminate vs Hardwood

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.

The Bamboo Floor

Bamboo floors have recently gained a lot of popularity for commercial and household uses. One of the best qualities of bamboo flooring is the highly resistance to moisture. Furthermore, this type of flooring is a brilliant alternative to traditional hardwood flooring. Least but not last, a bamboo floor is also . . . Read more

The 9 Main Benefits of Solid Hardwood Flooring

Solid hardwood flooring is a reliable and elegant choice, whether you are looking to remodel your residential space or commercial area. Solid hardwood flooring has been a popular option for centuries and we put together a list which explain on what its reputation is based on. 1. Straight-forward installation for those with . . . Read more

Temperature and Engineered Floors

Engineered wood is preferred when flooring is required in any area with changes in humidity and temperature. It is relatively more resistant to temperature changes than solid wood. When an installation is below grade, or over or near radiant heating systems and/or any humid area or climate is concerned, engineered . . . Read more

Engineered Hardwood Flooring Defined

Engineered hardwood flooring represents more than an excellent alternative to solid hardwood flooring, especially when you’re about to install below grade or on concrete. Engineered hardwood floors consist of a top layer of a real hardwood species and a core made of multiple plywood layers laminated together to form a durable . . . Read more

Vinyl flooring underlayment

Before admiring your new kitchen floor, there are a few things you need to know about the installation process which will provide a smooth and stable finish for your floors. Flooring underlayment is important to consider because of the advantages like absorbing the sounds of people walking and enhanced comfort . . . Read more

How to install vinyl plank flooring

After you’ve selected a beautiful vinyl plank flooring product, it’s time for do-it-yourself installation project. This part of the process can be challenging, but the work you put into installing your flooring will be worth it in the end. It is important a proper installation for achieving the outcome you want. . . . Read more

Vinyl floor inspiration ideas

We all must agree that renovating can be both an exciting and overwhelming process. Settling on materials and color schemes seems like a huge task but remember that designing can be fun and don’t stress too much. When it comes to flooring, you will love vinyl. The material is very long-lasting and water-resistant. . . . Read more