The Elegance of Laminate Flooring

The Elegance of Laminate Flooring

One way to put in value to your home is to consider laminate flooring installation . Laminate floors add the magnificence and charm of hard wood , or tile floors with the easy maintenance of linoleum or vinyl flooring . Made out of a high density fiber ( HDF ) wood board topped with a wood or stone pattern , laminate flooring is incredibly rugged . Resistant to scratching , scuffing and burning , the attractiveness of laminate floors will last a lifetime . With today’s constantly fluctuating interior decoration trends , the easy installation and wide assortment of laminate flooring is a preferred choice for home designers .

The Quality of Laminate Flooring

If you’re planning to redecorate your home including laminate flooring installation , there are some decisions you need to make about the type of laminate flooring that will work best for you . It is commonly thought that the harder the HDF core , the higher the quality of the laminate flooring . The second mark of laminate floor quality is the means by which the core is bound to the pattern and protective layers . There are two basic types of laminate flooring to consider * Direct Pressure – Direct Pressure lamination consists of a one-step process to bind the flooring layers into a single cohesive unit . DPL flooring that has been bound is then treated with melamine resins to increase the strength of the core . This final step also allows notches and grooves to be evenly cut into the pieces to facilitate the process of laminate flooring installation . * High Pressure – High pressure lamination produces a more durable end product by binding the flooring layers over several steps . First the top layers are joined to each other and then glued to the HDF core . After this , the melamine resins and glued flooring are submitted to a high pressure press that completes the process and makes the product ready for laminate flooring installation .

Laminate Flooring Installation Types

Once you’ve decided on the design and product you want to use , you’re ready to begin the process of laminate flooring installation . The various laminate products currently on the market offer several different options for laminate flooring installation . The type of installation you choose will depend on your budget , your commitment and ability to execute the project and your preference in design . When shopping for laminate flooring , you can expect to find products the require the following laminate flooring installation techniques :

* Standard Flooring – Standard laminate flooring is installed by using glue to affix the flooring to the sub floor . Standard laminate flooring installation is both cost-effective and secure . * Pre-Glued Flooring – You may also come across laminate flooring products that have been treated with glue prior to sale . To complete the laminate flooring installation , water is applied to the underside of the board to activate the glue . * Snap and Lock – There is no glue required for a Snap and Lock laminate flooring installation . The floor boards are instead linked by a locking mechanism on the underside of the wood . Snap and Lock flooring is very easy to install , but may be more expensive that laminate flooring installed with glue .