You have a wide variety of choices in both style and color for laminate floors. Styles are available that mimic natural hardwood or ceramic tile. Wood styles come in every tone from very light to darker tones. Choose darker tones for a formal environment. Keep in mind that dark colors tend to make a room look smaller, while lighter colors make the space appear larger.

Laminate flooring can be found in most flooring stores and home improvement centers. Discount flooring can be found in stores or on the internet. Once you have decided on the color and style of the floor material you want, you can start shopping around for the best price. If you are doing a very small room, look for left over materials. Sometimes these are available in smaller amounts at an affordable price.

Installing the Floor

Laminates are not attached to the floor below. These are also called floating floors. The slats have tongue and groove designs. Slats are attached by slipping the tongue inside the groove. They are held in place with special adhesives that are made for laminate flooring.

These floors can be installed right over your old wood, tile or vinyl flooring. You will need to remove carpeting and padding prior to installation. Once removed, make sure the concrete or wood subfloor is level before you start the installation.

You can hire a professional to install the floor for you, or you can do the job yourself. Installation is fairly simple and an average size room can be finished over a weekend. For larger areas, you may want to save the job for when you take some vacation time. Your floor will cost more if you opt for professional installation. However, if you aren’t handy around the house or don’t have the time, you may find this extra expense worth the money.

Read the instructions from the manufacturer before cleaning your new floor. To remove dirt and debris, use a broom or vacuum. If the floor becomes very dirty, you can clean it with a slightly damp mop. Other than this, very little care is needed. Due to the laminate finish, the floor won’t need any waxing.

Use only very little water. Excessive water can damage the laminate coating on the surface of the floor. Soaking the floor can damage the paper backing. Moisture can get trapped under the laminate and damage the floor or cause the growth of mold, which is not healthy. For this reason, these floors aren’t the best choice for use in a bathroom. Moisture tends to build up in this room and will damage the floor over the long term.

Laminate flooring has been around in Europe for around 15 years and has seen massive growth in the past few years. In 2004 over 750 million square meters of laminate flooring was sold worldwide this was an increase of 13% on the previous year. The biggest growth market is in the US with an impressive growth rate of 25%.

What is laminate Flooring Made From?

Laminate flooring is made up of four layers:

1. Overlay (wearlayer)

2. HPL (decroative paper + high strength paper)

3. Core layer

4. Stabilizing layer

The bottom layer is the stabilizing layer; this is what gives the laminate floor its stability. It is made up of moisture resistant resins

Above this there is the core layer; this is made up of high density fibreboard (H.D.F.). This is saturated in resins to make it extremely hard. Most manufactures also add a moisture resistant resin to the core. This is important as it helps keep the flooring protected against moisture penetrating the boards.

On top of the core layer is added a high strength paper along with the decorative paper. It is this decorative paper which gives the laminate flooring its individual appearance, ranging from highly authentic wood reproduction, ceramic or stone designs.

The top wear layer is provided by the melamine resin, a highly wear resistant material that makes laminate flooring so hard wearing. This top layer is very similar to the top layer on counter or kitchen work tops but is usually around 40% stronger. This makes the laminate flooring highly resistant to scratches, burns, dent’s, stains, etc.

Most laminate floors today fit together with a click system with the most common being the UNICLIC system as used by Quick-Step. This is extremely easy and fast to fit. The ingenious UNICLIC-system has a special shape of tongue and groove. You simply place the tongue of one plank into the grove of another at an angle and press down. Their sophisticated and very accurate milled shape makes it possible to create a very tight connection during the installation. The floor can be walked on straight away.

Tongue and Groove and Locking Systems

One of the key characteristics of laminate flooring, and one that is kept in mind when it is manufactured, is how easy it is to install when compared to other types of flooring. Of the many designs, some of the more efficient and mess-free laminate flooring lines are the “glueless” variety. With this variety, the laminate flooring is generally fitted together by means of what is called a “tongue and groove” design, with interlocking elements that slide into place and are made secure as each row is laid down. Unlike hardwood, no nails are required. Some types of laminate feature more sophisticated locking systems, designed to be put down and taken up again where necessary. With some fairly limited skills in carpentry, laminate flooring can be installed by do-it-yourselfers in most cases. Choosing to install laminate flooring commonly cuts down on expenses, as it is rarely necessary to hire an installer, although many homeowners do for the sake of convenience. For contractors, offering the option of laminate flooring to clients is often a time-saving option, as laminate flooring is more quickly installed than hardwood flooring, allowing them to take on more contracts.

For households and offices which require a low maintenance flooring solution, laminate flooring has been known to be an effective choice for its attractiveness, durability, ease of installation. It is also noted for its reasonable price when compared to many other flooring options.

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• Choose a quality underlayment to protect against moisture coming from the subfloor

• Read any installation instructions you have very carefully.

• Hire a professional if you are unsure how to proceed

• Ensure that your subfloor is level, clean and dry

• When installing, leave a 10mm gap around the perimeter of your installation area as well as any fixed objects in the center. You will need to allow room for expansion as the laminate will respond to temperature changes over time

• Once the laminate flooring has been installed, be aware of any spills on your laminate floor and clear them up as soon as they happen

• Use a dry mop or a vacuum cleaner to keep the laminate flooring clear of dust and dirt

• Use protective pads on the feet of all furniture to reduce the risk of scratching the laminate flooring

Don’t

• Install laminate flooring over carpet

• install laminate flooring in areas subject to excessive moisture

• Continue with your installation if your first row is not straight. The first row is the basis for the entire installation.

• Use wax, polish, or abrasive cleansers on your laminate flooring. This can ruin the finish and the overall look of the laminate

• Try to seal, lacquer, finish or sand your laminate floor

• Flood the floor when cleaning. It is important to minimize moisture levels on the laminate floor. If excessive moisture finds its way underneath the flooring, it can cause the boards to swell

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but is certain comprised of some of the key points in making sure that your choice of laminate flooring is one that is wisely considered. In all areas, it is always best to consult the experts directly when thinking about your flooring options. Contact your local flooring contractors who maybe able to point you in the right direction in terms of installation and usage.

Learn more about laminate flooring and buy: http://www.builddirect.com/Laminate-Flooring.aspx