Laminate flooring is relatively new to the North American flooring industry, having made an impact for only the past decade. But since the product made its way from Europe, it has provided millions of residential and commercial consumers with an affordable and care-free alternative to hardwood or stone flooring — without giving up much in appearance. Laminates are available in either plank-style, like hardwood materials, or tiles, like ceramic, stone and brick products.
Laminate flooring is ideal for high-traffic areas because of its tough construction and easy maintenance. In essence, the seemingly limitless choices in color and textured appearance are actually photographs of the real thing that are sealed to engineered wood and covered with a chemical surface that is nearly impossible to penetrate. That coating adds years to a laminate floor’s life, because stains, burn marks, scuff marks and the like remain on the surface and can be cleaned with over-the-counter products.
To achieve its tough yet attractive appearance, laminate manufacturers use a three-step process. The foundation of the board or tile is its core fiberboard, which is usually made of high-density wood. Beneath the core is either a paper or plastic layer designed to stop water from penetrating into the core. The surface, which carries the appearance of the product, consists of the photographic image and a clear surface made usually of aluminum oxide.
Unlike hardwood flooring, which can’t be installed over concrete, laminate can be placed over almost any existing surface, including concrete, wood, vinyl or resilient floors. The key to its versatility for installation is underlayment, the material that sits between the existing floor and the laminate product. When you purchase your laminate flooring, you’ll hear the term “floating floor” from your sales rep and probably the installer.
The term “floating floors” means that the laminate and existing floors — or subfloor — never actually meet. The laminate rests or “floats” on a plastic, foam or cork sheet of material, which:
Picking a laminate floor has a lot to do with subjectivity and not so much with objectivity. By choosing to go with a laminate floor, you’ve probably gotten the objective decisions out of the way by understanding that laminate is good choice for high traffic areas. Now the fun part — picking the color, style and type of floor!
Once you choose the look of your floor, take a moment to consider the style of installation that makes sense for your project. Laminates can be placed with or without glue, depending on the style and brand. Some floors also offer an underlayment that’s already attached to the plank or tile, while some have a waterproof glue pre-applied to the tongue-and-groove edges.
As the flooring industry evolves, laminates are emerging from the manufacturer as a self-locking system which needs no glue. These “click” systems have an aluminum lock built into the center of the plank or tile.
Feel free to choose laminate flooring for almost any room in the house. The “almost” applies to bathrooms, where moisture is likely to hit the floor on a regular basis. While the floor itself is waterproof, water running along the edges may eventually cause damage.
Because of their advanced pre-glued and locking systems, laminates are tempting for homeowners to install on their own. Think twice.
Because the material is meant to last, don’t skimp on the installation. Have a professional who is experienced and certified to install laminate flooring do your installation. Find one here.
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