If you are looking to make a dramatic design statement in your home with the look of natural wood or stone, but without the associated cost, you can accomplish this goal with laminate floors. Affordability and durability are just two of the reasons why many homeowners choose this type of flooring. Laminate floors offer a wide selection of colors, designs and textures that can match any style. Technological advances have also allowed laminate to imitate the appearance of various hardwood grains and stone textures with stunning accuracy. Eco-friendly options are also available, allowing you to incorporate green materials into your design scheme while also reducing your environmental impact.
Before you begin laying your laminate, it’s a good idea to give the pieces a chance to acclimate to the room. This will allow them to adjust to the humidity and temperature changes in the area before you install the floor. This will help prevent the expansion and contraction that can cause the laminate to warp or buckle. In addition, it will make it much easier to install.
To acclimate your flooring, simply bring it into the room in which you plan to install it for a 48 hour period before beginning the actual installation process. It is a good idea to keep the boxes open during this time. It is also a good idea to cut off the tongues (but not the grooves) of the pieces that will be placed against the walls, or use spacers to create a 1/4 to 3/8 inch gap between the wall and your new laminate flooring.
During the acclimating process, you should also remove any existing baseboard molding in the rooms where you will be installing laminate floors. This will prepare the surfaces for installation and will ensure that they are free from dents or scratches. The baseboards will need to be reinstalled after the laminate has been installed.
Laminate is a composite material made of multiple layers of kraft papers and resins that are fused together at high temperatures. The core is typically made of a high-density fiberboard which provides stability and moisture resistance. The top layer is a melamine resin that includes the decorative print and a clear aluminum oxide finish that protects against scratches, stains, and other damage. This protective layer makes laminate floors ideal for busy households and is an excellent choice for homes with children or pets.
With the exception of a mop and bucket, you do not need any special cleaning products to maintain your laminate floors. Regular sweeping or light mopping will keep the laminate looking like new. Its rugged construction and moisture-resistance make it an outstanding option for kitchens, where spills, stains, and splashes are a frequent occurrence. The protective wear layer on laminate also eliminates the need for periodic polishing and refinishing, which saves you time and money. The affordability and durability of laminate floors make it an ideal choice for any budget, and its ease of maintenance is perfect for homeowners with hectic schedules. If you need a laminate flooring in Tampa makes sure you check on Tampa Flooring Solutions.