Laminate flooring is becoming more and more popular type of flooring each year. Yet questions and misconceptions still remain. I gathered up some basic and not so basic questions, and used a little help from my friends in manufacturing to get some solid answers on the new and improved laminate floors.
WHAT ARE LAMINATE FLOORS AND HOW ARE THEY MADE ? Laminate flooring is versatile, durable, attractive flooring with an appearance of a hardwood floor, as well as tile and stone floor. There are no solid woods used in the construction of laminate. Most laminates are consists of a moisture resistant layer under a layer of HDF high-density fiberboard. Many laminates pass certain Green standards because of their construction.
On top of laminate flooring is a high-resolution photographic image of natural wood or tile. It is then finished with an extremely hard, clear coating made from special resin-coated cellulose to protect the laminate flooring. Laminate flooring is perfect for anyone looking for a durable floor for a fraction of the price of a hardwood or tile floor, but with the attractiveness of real hardwood and stone. This construction makes laminate flooring more environmentally friendly, as it uses less wood and uses the wood fiber more efficiently.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAMINATE FLOORING AND HARDWOOD FLOORING?
Both laminate flooring and hardwood flooring can help beautify a home. Hardwood is often thought to be the superior choice due to increase in home value and longevity, but there are several advantages to using laminate flooring. Laminate flooring can be installed above. On, or below grade, and installed over virtually any other flooring surface. Some hardwood flooring are much more restricted in its applications. Laminates are made for stability and strength, and are a long lasting durable option.
HOW DO LAMINATE PANELS LOCK?
There are many types of edge joint systems used to connect6 laminate flooring panels together. Some laminate flooring connections snap together by hand while others require a light tap with a mallet and a taping block. Still others use a combination of a snap, click, and / or lock system. It is important to read the instructions of your laminate flooring, warranty info and instructions on installation should be in each box. Familiarize yourself with how your flooring locks together before installation.
WHERE CAN I INSTALL LAMINATE FLOORING?
Laminate flooring is extremely versatile as it can be installed in virtually any room of your home, above or below ground, over wood or concrete. Laminate flooring is a wood-flooring product, so it is not recommended that laminates be installed in wet locations such as a washroom, saunas, enclosed porches, and some bathrooms. In certain areas, such as bathrooms, laminate can be installed with precautions, such as gluing the seams, caulking the edges, using a high quality moisture barrier, ECT.
WHAT IS A LAMINATE AC RATING?
AC hardness ratings are a standardized measure adopted by the Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring. The AC measure rates abrasion resistance, impact resistance, resistance to staining and cigarette burns, as well as thickness swelling along edges. AC 1 is a light traffic rating. AC 3 is the highest, great for heavy residential.
HOW DO I CLEAN MY LAMINATE FLOORING?
Never use any product on your laminate flooring marked WAX, SOAP, FINISH, or any industrial strength cleaners. Never mop the laminate flooring with water. A lightly damp mopping is all the up keep laminate flooring needs. If a tough stain such as a food or pet accident happens, a one-part white vinegar three parts water solution lightly sprayed on your mop will help kill the odor and cut the grime off the floor. Micro-fiber brooms and mops as well as several steam mops are great for cleaning laminate floors.
HOW DO I CARE FOR MY FLOORING?
Keeping moisture off laminate flooring is the number one thing you can do to extend its life. Damp mopping and no beater bar vacuuming helps keep it clean and beautiful. Strategically placed area rugs can go along way to protecting the life of any flooring, especially hardwood and laminate.
Extended exposure to moisture may cause the core of your laminate flooring to warp or swell. Wipe up spill sand stains as quickly as possible and make sure they are dried properly.
Dragging furniture across flooring is never recommended. A small amount of prevention goes a long way; this can include cardboard, felt, and or coasters. Remember, while laminate flooring is one of the most resistant floors on the market today, it is not scratch proof. No flooring is.
Comments by Jason Stanley
WHAT ARE LAMINATE FLOORS AND HOW ARE THEY MADE ? Laminate flooring is versatile, durable, attractive flooring with an appearance of a hardwood floor, as well as tile and stone floor. There are no solid woods used in the construction of laminate. Most laminates are consists of a moisture resistant layer under a layer of HDF high-density fiberboard. Many laminates pass certain Green standards because of their construction.
On top of laminate flooring is a high-resolution photographic image of natural wood or tile. It is then finished with an extremely hard, clear coating made from special resin-coated cellulose to protect the laminate flooring. Laminate flooring is perfect for anyone looking for a durable floor for a fraction of the price of a hardwood or tile floor, but with the attractiveness of real hardwood and stone. This construction makes laminate flooring more environmentally friendly, as it uses less wood and uses the wood fiber more efficiently.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAMINATE FLOORING AND HARDWOOD FLOORING?
Both laminate flooring and hardwood flooring can help beautify a home. Hardwood is often thought to be the superior choice due to increase in home value and longevity, but there are several advantages to using laminate flooring. Laminate flooring can be installed above. On, or below grade, and installed over virtually any other flooring surface. Some hardwood flooring are much more restricted in its applications. Laminates are made for stability and strength, and are a long lasting durable option.
HOW DO LAMINATE PANELS LOCK?
There are many types of edge joint systems used to connect6 laminate flooring panels together. Some laminate flooring connections snap together by hand while others require a light tap with a mallet and a taping block. Still others use a combination of a snap, click, and / or lock system. It is important to read the instructions of your laminate flooring, warranty info and instructions on installation should be in each box. Familiarize yourself with how your flooring locks together before installation.
WHERE CAN I INSTALL LAMINATE FLOORING?
Laminate flooring is extremely versatile as it can be installed in virtually any room of your home, above or below ground, over wood or concrete. Laminate flooring is a wood-flooring product, so it is not recommended that laminates be installed in wet locations such as a washroom, saunas, enclosed porches, and some bathrooms. In certain areas, such as bathrooms, laminate can be installed with precautions, such as gluing the seams, caulking the edges, using a high quality moisture barrier, ECT.
WHAT IS A LAMINATE AC RATING?
AC hardness ratings are a standardized measure adopted by the Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring. The AC measure rates abrasion resistance, impact resistance, resistance to staining and cigarette burns, as well as thickness swelling along edges. AC 1 is a light traffic rating. AC 3 is the highest, great for heavy residential.
HOW DO I CLEAN MY LAMINATE FLOORING?
Never use any product on your laminate flooring marked WAX, SOAP, FINISH, or any industrial strength cleaners. Never mop the laminate flooring with water. A lightly damp mopping is all the up keep laminate flooring needs. If a tough stain such as a food or pet accident happens, a one-part white vinegar three parts water solution lightly sprayed on your mop will help kill the odor and cut the grime off the floor. Micro-fiber brooms and mops as well as several steam mops are great for cleaning laminate floors.
HOW DO I CARE FOR MY FLOORING?
Keeping moisture off laminate flooring is the number one thing you can do to extend its life. Damp mopping and no beater bar vacuuming helps keep it clean and beautiful. Strategically placed area rugs can go along way to protecting the life of any flooring, especially hardwood and laminate.
Extended exposure to moisture may cause the core of your laminate flooring to warp or swell. Wipe up spill sand stains as quickly as possible and make sure they are dried properly.
Dragging furniture across flooring is never recommended. A small amount of prevention goes a long way; this can include cardboard, felt, and or coasters. Remember, while laminate flooring is one of the most resistant floors on the market today, it is not scratch proof. No flooring is.
Comments by Jason Stanley
