Things You Should Know Before Buying Laminate for Your Home

Things You Should Know Before Buying Laminate for Your Home

It is crucial to get all the basic facts about your flooring choice before making your purchase regardless of your flooring budget. Buying laminate flooring is not an exception. It is prudent to know not only the basics but also some of the specifics.

That is why we offer you this section.

It is a summary of several things you should know about laminate before making a purchase decision.

That way, your final decision creates a warm, inviting environment in your living spaces and also delivers what laminate floors are noted for: excellent durability and easy maintenance.

Laminate Flooring Stands Up and Stands Out

Laminate flooring is a remarkably long-lasting surface, stain-resistant, and does not require varnish or wax, so it is straightforward to maintain.

These are floors that are mainly used in busy households, especially homes with kids and pets.

Modern laminate styles are made of authentic wood visuals, rich ceramic looks, and natural stone designs with different surface textures to accommodate any room in your home attractively.

Understand Factors About Pricing

When considering laminates, you will notice that there is a negligible price variation in different styles.

That is because of the relatively uniform manufacturing process for all laminates. Regardless of the style, color, or type, it is still a photograph that provides the decorative surface.

More expensive laminates include those with a textured and more natural-looking surface with a higher number of screens.

Keep that in mind that laminate floors that mimic the more exotic varieties of hardwood flooring quickly rise in price.

Nonetheless, higher-end laminates are more durable and have extended warranties.

Know About “Floating”

Laminate floors are installed using a “floating floor system” in which a padded underlayment sits between the subfloor and the laminate planks.

The planks sit on the underlayment and are not fixed to the subfloor on the bottom. They are anchored by the edges.

When walked upon, this type of installation can create a hollow sound and have a slight give.

Slight ridging or peaking where planks are fitted together may also occur. This is considered normal, and therefore you should not be concerned.

Glueless installations lock together without the use of adhesive on the sides of the planks. These types of laminate floors have planks that interlock together. Replacing damaged planks on these types of floors is easy if that is ever necessary in the future.

Get to know the entire cost of ownership

The “cost per square foot” of your laminate floor is just one element of the whole project cost. To ensure there are no surprises, and the laminate you select fits within your whole project budget, our flooring professionals calculate the total cost of your floor covering project.

Here is a list of potential additional expenditures that you may incur.

• Furniture removal and replacement.
• Demolition or disposal of the old floor covering.
• Subfloor preparation. Depending on the condition of the subfloor, it may need additional work.
• Product delivery by the supplier.
• Laminate installation – the price is determined per square foot.
• Materials required to complete the installation.

It is recommended that you consult the manufacturer’s warranty and care guide for directions on how regularly clean and care for your laminate floor.