Laminate wooden flooring
Generally, when we think about electric bulb the first name that pop-up is Thomas Elva Edison. But many of us ignore the contribution of General Electrical which was a coalition of two competitors. Laminate Flooring was invented by a Swedish company Perstorp, and sold under the brand name Pergo. The name Pergo is now synonym to laminate flooring similar to electric bulb known for Thomas Elva Edison. Pergo brand comes in four varieties: original, unique, universal and comfort. Other top rated laminate flooring brands are Mohawk, Quickstep, Mannington, and Shaw Floors.
If one thing about Laminate flooring that stands apart is the diversity and infinite variety and designs that it comes with. This multifarious nature is similar to chameleon as it can replicate any look. At times, it’s impossible to tell the difference between real hardwood and laminate flooring. This one rare aspect of Laminate flooring that is impossible in other floorings, like, marble and stone; and most important it’s cost-effective.
Laminate flooring is economical and it can be easily competed with other hardwood and stone flooring in quality. It’s now considered to be a viable alternative to solid hardwood and stone flooring. It’s folded into many layers and consists of melamine resin and fiberboard materials. The top layer covering is a transparent layer that protects the floor from scratches and water. Laminate flooring is an imitation of wood and stone.
Laminate flooring is cheaper and Eco-Friendly. The carbon footprint is least when compared hardwood and other stone flooring. It also consists of recycled wood products, which makes it environmental friendly.
The installation is simple because of the “click-lock” design system. This is one of the reasons that laminate flooring is cost-effective and increases the simplicity of installation. This option is not available in solid wood flooring. This floated installation is quicker to complete. There is no glue involved for attaching the planks; this is where it is less messy. The best part is that it remains simple and require less skills to install. If suppose one plank is damaged the replacement will be less troublesome to install.
When it comes to durability, Laminate flooring is resistant to sunlight fading and moisture. It’s resistant to dog claws or pointed heels. In crux, it can withstand wear and tear or generous amount of dents and stains. A little caution is required when installing in a basement or a bathroom; because the content is still wood which require some amount of acclimatization.
Unlike other Hardwood flooring, Laminate flooring requires minimum maintenance. There is no annual maintenance required or any kind of oiling as normally seen in teak wood flooring, where the natural oil is exhausted over a period and then ageing start-taking place. Laminate flooring requires a few minutes of moping and cleaning or an occasional vacuuming.
Flexibility is a wonderful trait of Laminate Flooring. It can be installed anywhere especially in high traffic areas. Depending on the suitability, It can also be installed in wetter areas like kitchen and bathroom. But one should double check with the retailer about the suitability of Laminate flooring in wetter areas.
Water is the number one enemy of Laminate flooring. Moisture and water can cause damage to the flooring. Especially in kitchen, a drop of soapy water will be absorbed beneath the floor which would swell that particular area and eventually turn the floor uneven. However, if you find water spillovers around the flooring it’s better to take swift action and clean the floor immediately. This would help in reducing damage. In case of flooding when the laminate floor is drenched and soaked in water for too long the floor bends and curves, which deform the flooring.
The authenticity factor also plays a role in forming an opinion about laminate flooring. This might not be a disadvantage, but many people form an opinion about laminate flooring that it’s not authentic like wood or stone.
If water is the number one enemy then sound is next. Laminate floor is poor in absorbing sound. This can be disconcerting to many people.
To conclude there are advantages and disadvantages to laminate flooring. But the advantages somehow supersedes the disadvantages. Laminated Flooring remains a cheaper option despite of its less resistance to water. Nevertheless, water issue can be resolved by taking timely precautions and immediately cleaning the water spillover found in any corner or edges. According to American National Standards Institute Laminate, flooring will maintain in its original dimension for two hours of water exposure. This is a great news because it will give ample time to clean the floor.