Laminate wood flooring is ideal for high foot traffic areas of the home

It is especially good for areas where there is indoor outdoor flow as less debris is tracked inside than if carpet were laid down. They are laid loose over a moisture resistant underlay; this means there is no specific subfloor it must be laid on. As long as the sub-floor is flat, dry, clean and stable laminate can be laid over existing floors. If you want to have a laminate with a closer look of natural wood, getting a thick board will be the best option. Also, durability can be directly related to the thickness of the board. The least you should go for is a board that 8mm thick; a high-quality flooring will be between 8 to 12mm thick. Originally only available for engineered or solid hardwood flooring, this adds a unique antiqued finish to your laminate.laminated flooring

Understanding these factors is important when one is considering how to reduce exposure to formaldehyde in the home. Engineered wood flooring is extremely popular due to being the most stable and versatile real wood floor type. Laminate flooring is designed for quick-and-easy click-together floating-floor installation. It requires little maintenance and is designed to withstand everyday wear and tear. Its hardened wear layer protects it from surface spills, scratches, stains and fading, and an inner core adds moisture resistance and stability. Laminate wood flooring is much more affordable than hardwood, as it is made from composite wood, an image of hardwood’s texture and a clear protective layer.

It’s all enough to make your head spin at the end of the day, but they’re still one of the best. Most laminate flooring isn’t waterproof and therefore not suitable for wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries but, it is suitable for everywhere else in the home. Note that removing flooring, in particular, new laminate flooring, may increase formaldehyde release. Consult a professional before taking any action to remove the flooring. Occasionally it’ll be necessary to tap a plank into place or snug together an uncooperative one. Yes, you should use a tapping block, but to avoid damaging your brand new floor, snap in a sacrificial scrap, and tap on that to prevent wrecking the edge of the new flooring. Most laminate floorings are designed to be used on a floating floor- that is, it is not secured to the ground underneath. It is better than traditional laminate when it comes to moisture resistance.

It’s a handy rating system, but you’ll rarely need to use anything above AC3 in a home and AC2 is fine for pretty much anything around the house. It does have its own quirks when it comes to cleaning, and you probably don’t want to use it in your bathroom since it’s only water-resistant and not truly waterproof. If you’re smart about where you use it, however, it may be one of the best investments you can make in your home’s aesthetics. Pergo managed to avoid cheaping out like a lot of their competitors did in the original “gold rush” associated with a new material coming to market, and they remain one of the best. You simply can’t go wrong if you decide to go with one of their designs. Like Armstrong, Pergo also offers matching molding to make for a polished final look. Pergo was the first to hit the market, they’re the original thing without a doubt. They have the longest history of any company on the market, and in addition to that they specialize in artificially distressed looking flooring and other artistic designs. We’ve compiled a list of the five best brands to go with. They’re professional approved and have most of the qualities described above, making them some of the best floors you can buy.