Introduction: What is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring is a popular choice for homeowners and contractors alike. It’s lightweight, versatile, and easy to install. But what exactly is laminate flooring? Laminate flooring consists of several layers of thin pieces of wood glued together to form a solid sheet.
These layers of wood are coated with an adhesive that allows them to adhere together and withstand the weight of people walking on them. This process is called laminating.
There are two main types of laminate flooring: engineered hardwood and engineered softwood. Laminate floors are made from either of these materials, but not both at the same time.
The best thing about laminate flooring is that it’s a beautiful and durable alternative to traditional hardwood & engineered wood. You can use laminate flooring in any room of your home without worrying about the quality or weight of the floor.
What are the Benefits of Laminate Flooring?
There are many benefits to laminate flooring, but the two most common ones are:
Durability – Laminate floors can last for decades without warping or becoming discolored. They’re much more durable than traditional hardwood and engineered wood floors.
Easy Installation – Laminate floors are quick and easy to install. You can install them yourself in a matter of hours, making it the perfect option for DIYers.
Laminate flooring is also an excellent choice for contractors and homeowners who don’t want to spend too much money on their floors. The price of laminate flooring can be pretty reasonable, especially when compared to other options like hardwood or engineered wood.
Alternative for laminate flooring
Polished concrete flooring is an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to the traditional laminate flooring. It is easy to install, looks elegant, and can be customized according to your needs.
Polished concrete flooring has gained popularity in recent years, with some experts predicting that it will soon become the most popular flooring type in the US.
According to experts, polished concrete is less prone to insect infestation than wood. However, it does not require regular maintenance like wood floors do.
Best way to buy laminate floors
Laminate flooring is one of the most affordable options for hardwood floors. However, it is not the best choice for all types of flooring.
Many factors will determine which type of laminate flooring you should choose. You have to consider the size of your room, how often you’ll be walking on it, and the type of surface you want to install.
The first thing that will affect your choice is the size of your room. You need to make sure that there are enough flooring options for your room.
If you want to install laminate flooring in a large space, consider installing 3” thick or 5” wide plank laminate floors. You can also choose the 8″ x 12″ size for medium-sized rooms. You must check the size of the plank so that you don’t have to install too many pieces.
If installing laminate flooring in a small room, consider the 2″ thick or 3/4″ wide plank. It is also recommended that you check the weight of each piece before buying.
You should also consider the type of surface you want to install on your floor.
If you are installing hardwood floors, then it is recommended that you choose solid wood planks with 3/4″ thick or 1-1/2″ wide boards.
If you are installing laminate floors in a hallway, then it is recommended that you choose solid wood planks with 3/4″ thick or 1-1/2″ wide boards.
Laminate flooring is not the best choice for high-traffic areas. If you have a large family, then it will be difficult to clean and maintain laminate floors in a small room.
How to Install Laminate Floors in Your Home
Laminate flooring is easier to install than hardwood floors. It does not require any tools and can be installed by one person.
You will need to have a flat surface, about 6″ wide and 9-1/2′ long. Measure the room you want to install your laminate flooring in. Then cut out one of the pieces of laminate flooring with an Exacto knife or utility knife.
You can buy laminate flooring in the store, or you can cut it yourself. After you have cut out the pieces, place them in a straight line. It is recommended that you place the pieces at least 6 inches apart from each other.
Then take a piece of laminate flooring and tape it on top of one end of the board to prevent it from moving while you are installing it.
Place the board on the floor and use a pencil to mark where you want to place your next piece of laminate flooring.
Then take another piece of laminate flooring and tape it at that point as well. This will keep the first plank in place while you are installing the second plank. Take your hammer and tap it on the floor to make a hole for each piece of laminate flooring.
Then take one of the pieces of laminate flooring that you have just installed and place it in its corresponding spot. Use your pencil to mark the corresponding hole and tap it in place.
Then take your wood chisel and carefully trim the excess laminate flooring around the edges of each plank. Continue installing your laminate flooring by tapping in new pieces of laminate flooring at each mark that you have made.
You can cut out some of the excess laminate floorings with your utility knife if you need to.
After you have installed all of the pieces of laminate flooring, clean up any leftover pieces and sweep them into a pile. If there is any dirt or debris on the floor, use a small amount of water and a scrub brush to remove it.
After you have cleaned up the floor, set your laminate flooring tiles in their corresponding spots and install them with the same process you used when installing the first plank.
If there are any gaps between the tiles, use a small amount of laminate flooring adhesive to fill them in. Make sure that you allow the glue to dry before installing the next piece of laminate flooring.
Laminate Wood vs. Hardwood Floors and the Advantages to Both
If you are looking for laminate flooring that has the same look and feel as hardwood floors, then choose to install wood-look vinyl plank.
Hardwood floors are beautiful, but they require extensive maintenance. This means that you will have to wax your hardwood floors every six months or so.
On the other hand, laminate wood floors are easy to maintain and do not require any maintenance whatsoever.
The other advantage of installing hardwood flooring is that it can be installed in larger areas because there is no need to match the color of your walls or furniture. The hardwood flooring can be installed in any room of your house.
If you have a small living room, the hardwood floors are not suitable for that area because they look too bulky and overpowering.
However, if you want to install laminate wood flooring in your kitchen, then you will not have to worry about matching the color of your walls or furniture.
When it comes to installation, laminate wood flooring is a lot easier than hardwood floors because you do not need any special tools. You can install the laminate wood flooring yourself with just a few simple tools.
If you are not comfortable installing laminate wood flooring, it is recommended that you hire a professional installer to do the job for you.
You will find that hardwood floors can be expensive and if your budget does not allow for this expense, install laminate wood flooring instead. It is a lot cheaper than installing hardwood floors, and it looks just as good as the real thing.
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Laminate Floor?
The cost of installing laminate wood flooring depends on the type of laminate wood flooring that you choose. The most expensive varieties are high-end and luxury laminate floors which can cost as much as $8 per square foot.
However, there are some good-quality laminate wood flooring that can be installed for as little as $1 per square foot. The average cost of installing laminate wood floors is between $0.8 and $2.5 per square foot.
The price will vary depending on the size of your home and the type of laminate wood flooring that you choose.
Conclusion
Laminate wood flooring is a good choice for your home because it can save you money and look just as good as hardwood floors. You will not have to worry about the maintenance of laminate wood flooring, which means that you do not need to spend too much time cleaning it.
If you are interested in installing laminate wood flooring, then it is recommended that you hire a professional installer to do the job for you. They will install the laminate wood flooring perfectly, and there will be no need for you to worry about any mistakes during installation.
