|
How To Select The Best Laminate Flooring For You
By E. Timothy Uy, Fri Dec 9th
Hardwood flooring - its' traditional look is almost timeless,its' beauty is unmatchable. However, it's pretty hard tomaintain a hardwood floor, not to mention the price you have topay for it. Even with the most recent floor treatments they willstill scratch, fade, dent and stain in a rather small amount oftime. That's why laminate flooring was invented. Because it'smachine made and its' top layer is a hardwood photographiclaminated surface, laminate has the look and appeal of realhardwood floors, but it's more durable and it requires lessmaintenance. Unlike real hardwood floors, laminate flooring is more resistantto scratching, staining, fading and denting. Laminates warrantyrange from 10 years to lifetime and it covers all of the badthings mentioned above, while entry level laminates come with a10 to 15 years one. But they are designed for light trafficareas. I mentioned this because many people mistake and thinkthat they will remain the same if used in a high traffic areaduring the warranty period. This is not true. Used in a hightraffic area, they will begin to show wear and tear rather quick(usually within 3 to 5 years). Remember that choosing the right laminate flooring is not aseasy as it seems, but by doing that, you will save money in thelong run. Just think of things like the amount of time you areplanning on staying in that house or the amount of traffic,because there is no point in buying really expensive laminateflooring with extended
warranty if you know that you are movingsometime in the near future. Another thing you should know isthat people usually replace the floor first when moving in a newhouse, so, with expensive laminate with an extended warranty,you will either pay an amount of money for nothing, or for thepeople who will move in after you.A thing you should consider when buying laminate flooring forbathrooms or kitchens is it's core. A thicker core is morestable, less vulnerable and sounds more like the real hardwoodfloor when walked on. Quality laminate cores are treated withwater repellent chemicals. Also consider buying laminates withParaffin wax impregnated joints, as this wax acts as a waterrepellent and prevents water from penetrating down to the core.
As glueless locking mechanisms has been introduced to themarket,
laminate flooring has become the perfect choice forhouseholds because
it has a quicker installation, it's easier torepair and it can be
installed by people without experience orspecialized tools. This
will save you a considerable amount ofmoney.
|
