Laminate Flooring

Although carpet and hardwood are great options in many areas of the home, they are sometimes unsuited.

Spaces like the kitchen, or garage, frequently demand a higher level of durability and resilience. Carpet is susceptible to dirt and stains, producing a spotted looking surface that may also attract odors. Hardwood offers a great deal more durability than carpet, but it also falls prey to moisture. A damp hardwood gradually warps and cracks. After several seasons of expansion and contraction, moisture damage can become very apparent with a hardwood floor.

Places in which spills and accidents are frequent can result in scratching or gouging in the flooring as well. Laminate flooring is a great answer to all these problems and more. With a laminate floor, decorators can have the aesthetic allure of hardwood, while avoiding many of the normal problems. Laminate flooring is very resilient when it comes to moisture problems and will not absorb water. Stains are not an issue, and with prompt clean up, will cause no lasting damage at all.
Best of all, laminate flooring is very well priced, and can be found in a wide selection of shades, colors, and styles.

Installation of laminate flooring is also fairly simple. As soon as a set of tiles can be unwrapped, check each to make sure there are no broken tiles. Once certain that the entire package is intact, give the tiles a few days to adjust to their new climate. There may be some contraction or expansion involved when the laminate flooring tiles arrive in a new setting.

Be sure to follow all manufacturer instructions that are included with the tile product. Specific instructions on how to glue the tiles are crucial, and can affect the overall performance of the tile. It is also important to give the tile a quarter inch between wall and flooring. Although an extensive set of tools is not needed for in home installation, you may need something to cut the tile around corners, fireplaces, stairs, etc. A wet tile saw would definitely be adequate to cut laminate flooring.

Having a level surface for installation is also important. Be certain to fill any holes in the subflooring, or sand away any protruding areas that might stick up afterward.