|
Laminate flooring is quickly
becoming the most popular floor used today. It�s designed for the
consumer who likes the look of wood, but wants ease of maintenance, and at
a fraction of the cost. Laminate flooring is very durable and constructed
to resist furniture indentations, scuff-marks, and in some cases water. It
is an interlocking floor that uses a tongue and groove system to keep the
floor in place. Laminate flooring "floats" on top of the
existing sub floor (concrete, wood sub floor, vinyl, hardwood and other
existing floors), and it is not attached to it. Sometimes, special,
water-resistant glue is applied between each tongue and groove to hold the
planks together and keep out moisture. Prior to installation, a
polyurethane pad is laid down to keep the flooring from sticking to the
sub floor. Laminate flooring is made up of several layers, a hard core
material in the center, a special backing, and a laminated printed layer
to give it the desired look. It is then coated in a plastic resin that
helps make it very durable.
Laminate flooring is available in a
wide array of styles, colors and patterns. Originally, laminate flooring
only simulated the look of hardwood, but is now available in marble and
slate patterns as well. Because of the printed layer, it is easy to
achieve realistic looking floors that you otherwise couldn�t find or
afford. Laminate flooring is made mostly in rectangular 8 inch planks, but
some square tiles are available as well.
Laminate floors are
sold by the square foot and tend to be a little more expensive than vinyl
floors. Its durability, resistance to stains, and lasting beauty however,
make laminate flooring a good value. When choosing a laminate flooring,
pay close attention to the warranties offered by each manufacturer. Many
are clearly different and often are a good indication of the quality of
the product.
Laminate flooring tips and guidelines
The shade of laminate flooring you choose can
dramatically change the look of your room. You can compliment the other
design aspects in the room, bringing continuity and balance to the overall
design. Lighter colors of help small rooms appear larger, while rich, dark
tones add drama to larger rooms to create a warmer, more intimate feel.
One of the most popular attributes of laminate
flooring is it's natural coloration. These floors adapt to any style, now or
in the future. For rooms with plenty of natural light, you may want to
consider some of the darker tones available. If the room doesn't have
natural light, you can lighten it up considerably by choosing a floor with a
lighter color. Just remember, you can avoid being tied to a particular
scheme by choosing natural colors.
Underlayments
Two kinds of laminate flooring underlayments are
available.
1. Moisture underlayment- the purpose of this underlayment is to protect
from any moisture that might be evident in the concrete slab. Wooden
subfloors do not require a moisture underlayment as they are raised off the
ground. Most manufacturers require the use of a moisture barrier over
concrete in order not to void the warranties.
2. Acoustic underlayments serve as a sound dampener and reduce the hollow
sound made when walking on a floating floor. For concrete subfloors it is
also necessary to use a moisture barrier in conjunction to the acoustic
underlayment. Always place the moisture underlayment under the acoustic barrier.
Cleaning is simple- dirt and dust are easily
removed with a vacuum or broom.
For more difficult-to-remove soil, use a cloth
moistened very lightly with vinegar and plain water. Then wipe the surface
with a clean dry cloth. Under no circumstances should the floor be wet
mopped. See our cleaning tips page for more
valuable info.
Heavier stains may be removed with manufacturer
recommended cleaner available from the dealer.
Never use soap solutions, waxes, sealers, polishes,
or any abrasive materials.
Protect the floor in high traffic areas and
from excessive tracking of outside dirt and soil with mats at all entrances.
Protective felt pads on chair and furniture legs
are recommended to further protect the floor.
Occasionally, things may become "stuck"
to your laminate floors, such as gum or candle wax. This situation is best
handled by letting the spot harden completely, then scraping it gently off
the floor with a plastic scraper. Residue can then be removed using a clean
rag damped with a little manufacturer recommended cleaner.
LUKE'S FLOORING SERVICE
- We
install "Floors with the customer in mind"
- We
give free estimates.
- So
give us a call at (409)721-6486
- We
are conveniently located at:
815
South 5th Street
Nederland,
TX 77627
Serving the Southeast Texas area since 1999
 We
recommend -
|
