Laminate flooring has been gaining popularity in recent years as a cost-effective and beautiful flooring option. Laminate flooring is a beautiful and affordable option for your home. It’s important to understand the pros and cons of this type of flooring before you make a decision. We have some tips to help you decide if laminate flooring Wirral is right for you.
What is laminate flooring?
If you want hardwood flooring but aren’t able to afford it, laminate flooring is the perfect solution. Laminate flooring is a great option.
Laminate flooring is now a common choice in many homes. Laminate flooring is more durable, looks better and feels better underfoot. Laminate is now a preferred flooring option for high-end homes. You may wonder what laminate flooring is, given all this attention and popularity.
Laminate Flooring: History
Laminate was developed in the 1920’s, when lamination was invented. Laminate was not strong enough to be used as flooring at first, so it was used instead for countertops and backsplashes. Over time, innovations in manufacturing made the product more durable and refined.
Perstop, a Swedish company, invented laminate flooring in 1977. The European marketing of laminate flooring began in 1984 under the name “Pergo”
In Europe, glueless interlocking laminate flooring was also created by two companies (a Swedish company called Valing Aluminum, and a Belgian one called Unilin) in 1996 and 1997. After many legal disputes between the companies, nearly all interlocking laminate flooring is sold today by one of these two corporations or a combination of both. Valing Innovation refers to theirs as Fiboloc and Alloc, while Unilin refers to theirs Quick-Step Flooring. This is another name we hear a lot.
The advantages of laminate flooring
Laminate flooring is a great building material. Just about everything you have heard or read about it is true. Laminate flooring has a greater upside than any other flooring material. Laminate floors can bring many benefits to your home.
Durable
Laminate flooring can withstand more abuse than hardwood. This makes it pet-friendly, family-friendly, and great for high traffic areas. Laminate flooring can withstand sunlight for long periods of time without fading. It seems that the word durable is an understatement.
Laminate is easier to clean
Another reason to love laminate flooring is its ease of cleaning. It’s easy to clean, that’s why we love it! It doesn’t require any special maintenance or supplies. You can easily clean up spillages and dust with a vacuum, mop or broom. It’s so simple! This simple maintenance will ensure that you have beautiful laminate flooring for many years!
Appearance
Laminate was often mistaken for artificial wood in the past. It’s difficult to tell the difference with modern technology. It is a great choice for those who want the look and feel of hardwood or other natural materials, such as stone, but without all the hassle and effort.
Laminate is cheaper than wood
It’s true! Laminate wood flooring is a great option for homeowners who want to look and feel just like real wood, but at a fraction of the cost. Laminate wood flooring is perfect for budget-conscious homeowners. It’s possible to save money by choosing an option.
Laminate floors are easy to install
Laminate flooring has another advantage: it is very easy to install. Laminate flooring is a floating floor that doesn’t need to be attached to a subfloor. Laminate is also easy to install because of the way that the planks are attached together.
Laminate is great for DIY projects, but it’s worth spending the extra money to have it properly installed by a professional.
The cons of laminate flooring
There are disadvantages, just as with any material. There aren’t many.
Potential moisture damage to your laminate floor
Laminate flooring is composed of a composite material called HDF (high density fiberboard), which can be more vulnerable to water damage than natural hardwood. HDF expands and breaks down when it is exposed to water. A standard laminate floor will need to be replaced if this happens. This has historically limited the area where laminate can be used, excluding bathrooms that are frequently exposed to water.
Manufacturers have come up with water-resistant and waterproof laminate options to address this problem. The water-resistant laminate is great for areas where moisture and spills may occur, such as in the kitchen. Waterproof laminate, on the contrary, is resistant to moisture and can be used in high-moisture areas such as the bathroom. Avalon Flooring offers a variety of waterproof and water-resistant laminate flooring options that will suit your space.
Laminate Flooring can’t be refinished
You can refinish hardwood many times to keep your wood looking new. Laminate flooring is quite the opposite. Laminate flooring is the opposite. It has a fiberboard core and a thin wood-look (or rock-look) layer on the top. You don’t have the option to refinish it. The entire floor will need to be replaced if the thin layer becomes worn.
You can see why laminate flooring is so popular in American homes. It’s durable, easy-cleaning, maintainable, and has a natural hardwood look.
Are you ready to install laminate flooring in your home? Stop by one of our locations and find the perfect laminate flooring!