Are you thinking of replacing your old floor? While wood floors are popular they are also costly and require a lot of work to install. An alternative to wood flooring is laminate wood flooring which is made to look like real wood. Laminate isn’t what it used to be. It is very strong and will last you as long, if not longer than other types of flooring.
Laminate flooring comes in a variety of styles and finishes. You can choose a laminate that looks like oak, mahogany, bamboo, or other kinds of wood. If you want a different look there is also laminate that resembles ceramic tiles. They come in a variety of colors and shades as well as finishes ranging from glossy to rustic. It’s a good idea to use rich colors in large, formal areas. Lighter colors in small rooms will make the space look larger.
Once you’ve figured out the best style, color and finish to suit your needs it’s time to shop for the best price. Laminate flooring can be purchased at home improvement stores or there are flooring stores that may be more expensive but will have a larger variety. You can get discount laminate flooring online but you’ll only get a picture of the merchandise and the cost of delivery may outweigh your savings.
Choose a reputable brand that will stand up well such as Armstrong, Mannington and Shaw. Flooring is not a place to penny pinch and you get what you pay for generally. Choose higher end laminate especially on floors that see a lot of traffic such as hallways, kitchen and bathroom. If you have a small budget you can still get quality laminate by looking for patterns that are no longer made or partial lots.
Laminate flooring is easy to install and is not attached to the subfloor so it is a “floating” floor. It’s tongue and groove so slats attach to each other and are held in place with a special adhesive made for laminate flooring. Since it is a floating floor it can be installed over old hardwood or tile flooring. Make sure the surface is completely flat and level before applying the laminate.
You can find instructions for installation online, from the manufacturer or from a home improvement store. If it sounds like too big of a job for you then consider hiring a professional. Since it is much easier than other types of flooring it will be cheaper to hire someone to do it for you.
After your floor is installed, care is very easy due to the coating that is applied to the laminate. Just use a broom or vacuum to remove dust and dirt and use a damp mop to clean it. Don’t allow water to pool as it may cause damage to the laminate.
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