Laminate flooring was invented in 1977 by a Swedish company Laminate flooring is type of flooring made of a laminate material. Laminate flooring is made to look like natural products such as wood flooring or stone, yet is made up of either synthetic materials (usually melamine resin) or of synthetic materials combined with natural and recycled elements and covered with an attached decorative appliqué including an aluminium oxide finish.

Laminate flooring has a dense inner core and a glued-on layer or fused layers of outer material. Many types of laminate flooring replicate wood, but some look like marble or granite. A popular alternative to other hard surface products, high-quality laminate flooring resists staining, wear, and fading much better than wood and stone while providing unique looks and appeal. It’s durable (about 20 times stronger than a kitchen work surface) and is water-resistant, often used in bathrooms and kitchens in addition to high traffic areas. Unlike most hardwoods, laminates are fairly dent resistant.

Cost and installation Laminate floors are usually much less expensive than wood or natural materials, and are a practical solution for a do-it-yourself homeowner to install. Laminate flooring possesses a monolithic function once each plank or tile is clicked into one another, without the use of glue, staples, nails, or compounds. Installed laminate floors typically “float” over the sub-floor on top of an underlay, which provides moisture and sound-reducing properties. Laminate floors are considered to be very low-maintenance when compared to wood floors. Unlike natural wood, laminate floors do not require waxing, oiling or staining. It is important to keep laminate clean, as dust, dirt and sand particles may scratch the decorative surface over time in high-traffic areas.

Adhesive felt pads are often placed on the feet of furniture on laminate floors to prevent scratching. Glueless laminate floors may gradually become separated, creating visible gaps between planks. It is important to “tap” the planks back together using the appropriate tool as you notice the gaps, otherwise dirt will fill the gaps making it difficult to close them later.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 at 10:17 am and is filed under General.