Maybe you’ve looked at hardwood floors in the homes of friends and dreamed of having them, too, only to realize that the cost of materials and installation is out of your price range. What would you say if I told you that you can have flooring that looks and feels just like hardwoods at a substantially lower cost? The elegant appearance of hardwood floors can be yours with stylish laminate flooring. It’s made in a number of styles and textures, the graining in the material looks just like wood, and it comes in finishes that will fit into any décor. If you prefer a different look, you can buy laminates that look like marble or tile floors, and no one will ever know the difference.
Start your quest for laminate flooring by choosing the style and color you think would best fit your décor. After that, you’ll need to take accurate measurements, adding a little extra for possible errors and to match patterns, so that you’ll know how much flooring to buy. Laminates generally come in bundles, so you can buy plenty to make sure that you don’t run short and then return any unopened bundles when you’re finished.
A good rule-of-thumb is to buy the best quality of flooring you can afford. Even though there are cheaper laminates available that look good in the store, these cheap floors just won’t hold up the way quality floors will. It won’t take long for you to regret installing a cheap floor when it starts showing the wear and tear of use, particularly if you have any ladies in high heels walking on it. Sticking to a brand that’s known for its durability and quality, such as Shaw or Mohawk, might cost you a little more, but you’ll know that you’re getting flooring that will last for years.
Admittedly, paying full price for laminate flooring can put a strain on many budgets, but there are materials available at discount prices if you take the time to look for the bargains. When people return unused bundles of flooring, there is often too little in the returned lot to sell, so retailers will mark these partial lots down. If you’re only doing a small space, these discounted lots will be ideal for your purposes. You can also find some of “last year’s” flooring that’s been discontinued and marked down.
Discount home supply stores have cropped up all over the country, and you can also find many of them online. By visiting a website you’ll be able to see pictures of the flooring and find information about the manufacturer and how the floor should be installed. Since they don’t always have unlimited quantities of all of the products they offer, you need to check for a product which they do have enough of in stock to meet your needs. Be sure that all the flooring you buy has the same lot number. If it doesn’t, there will be color differences between the lots that will show up when you install it.
If you find flooring that you’d like to buy, be sure to make certain the company you’re buying it from has a good return policy, particularly if you’re buying it online. When the flooring arrives at your home, take the time to check it over for damages. Keep in mind that tiny chips around the edges shouldn’t be problematic, particularly on a light-colored floor, and even pieces with larger chips can be used in corners and around the edges of the room.
In the interest of saving money, you’ll probably be able to install your laminate floor yourself. The tongue-and-groove flooring goes in without any nails or adhesive, and installing it in a small room shouldn’t take you more than one or two days.
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