Laminate Flooring Laminate flooring can be a great alternative to hardwood floors and achieve the same look at a reduced cost. Many consider laminate flooring to be the best combination of quality and value. Laminate floors come in a wide variety of styles, colors and designs. Laminate floors are manufactured and engineered to be strong and durable. The core width of laminate floors generally varies from 6mm to 12mm. Though floors with thinner cores are more affordable and easier to install, a thicker core will give your laminate floor more stability. Thicker cored laminate floors also sound much more like hardwood when walked on, and as an added bonus are more resistant to warping and buckling. For an affordable flooring solution that will last for years to come and increase the décor of your home, laminate floors are a great option.

Durability Laminate floors are more resistant than hardwood to scratches, dents, stains, fading, and are also more water resistant. Laminate floors are approximately 10 to 15 times stronger than regular hardwood floors. Laminate flooring also has a higher UV resistance protecting it from sun fading. Most manufacturers offer a 10-15 year warranty on laminate floors.

Styles Like hardwood floors, laminate floors come in three basic styles, strip, plank and parquet.

Strip Strips create a linear look in a room and will usually make a room appear larger. The strip style is great for smaller rooms.

Plank Planks also create a linear look but have a greater width than strips. Plank laminates can really enhance a larger room. A great option is to use planks of various widths in the same room in order to create a more classic and less formal look.

Parquet The parquet style creates a beautiful geometric look in a room that is non-linear. The style was first used in feudal Europe to elevate areas of great importance like throne rooms. Parquet is a great option for a room that you want to enhance and give a special, unique look.

Laminate Flooring Maintenance Laminate floors don’t collect dust and grime; this makes them great for people with allergies and also makes cleaning your floor a lot easier. Sweeping or brushing with a soft headed brush every now and then and cleaning it with a damp mop is generally all that’s necessary to keep your laminate floor looking like new. If you happen to get a stain on your floor it’s a good idea to add ammonia or a mixture of water and vinegar to your mop, being sure to only get it a little wet and not soak it. Citrus based cleaners are recommended over soap on laminate floors if you want to give them a more thorough cleaning. As you can see, laminate floors are inexpensive, durable and easy to maintain. If you’re interested in having a laminate floor installed, go with the Bay Area’s laminate flooring specialists, Floortex Design. Fill out our free estimate form or give us a call today. You will be happy that you did.