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The Making of a Home with Laminate Flooring
“Affordability. Durability. Elegance. Throw in ease in its
installation, too and you have just found the best floors to
walk on all the days of your life.”
That’s how David of Berkeley, California felt when he shopped
around for flooring materials to install in his 4-room
Victorian-inspired home, two months before he brought over his
wife, Anne, who hardly contained her excitement and surprise,
to see the house the first time. David believed that the home
was the finest expression of his love to his wife, and their
young son, so he left no stone unturned looking for the best
materials for his home. Laminate flooring was recommended by
his colleagues at work; even his mother-in-law who saw nothing
but David’s receding hairline and extended belly, mentioned
about it, too.
There could really be something about laminate flooring, David
thought, so he had it installed in his home. Even his kitchen flooring was all laminate flooring, as David
figured out that it can best withstand spills and scuff marks
compared to other flooring materials. He never regretted his
decision ever since.
What’s all this fuzz about laminate flooring that it became
the most popular flooring choice in Europe and the US, even in
distant shores like Asia?
What it is and what it is not. Laminate flooring looks
like real wood, but it is not. It is made of high-grade
fiberboard, soaked in melamine resins and done in layers to
withstand moisture and traffic abuse.
Two layers down, laminate flooring has fiberboard as
foundation layers. Right on top of these layers is a paper
design, resembling closely hardwood for customers wanting
laminate wood flooring, or it could also resemble stone or
tiles, depending on demand. The uppermost portion of the floor
plank is made of clear layer of melamine resin for durability
and resistance against moisture, stains and general wear and
tear.
Four (4) major reasons why laminate flooring is “everyone’s
choice”:
Price is right. Laminate flooring is ideal for those
who, like David, may have wanted the look of real wood on
their floors, but are on a tight purse- string budget –
laminate wood flooring is a way lot cheaper substitute. With
its natural real wood-look, it can spruce up and lend a
certain degree of class and style even to a room with sparse
furnishings.
Worry-free installation. Do it yourself? Yes, you can!
How to install laminate
flooring is no longer mind boggling with its “snap-on”
system. In previous years when glue and staples were used to
install laminate flooring, installation time was more than 24
hours and positioning the planks together would challenge the
mind. Also, the planks, which were glued together, should dry
up first before they can be walked on. Today, the planks
simply click and fit, thus they can be walked on right away.
Durable. Laminate flooring does not dent easily under
heavy traffic, unlike real wood.
Elegant. Laminate flooring comes in a wide array of
visual choices that suit any room motif.
And if these are not enough to stir your excitement towards
laminate flooring, here’s more:
Warranty: 10-15 years from date of purchase;
Size: wider than any other floor boards, thus it
easily covers a wider area at least cost;
Resistance to fading: laminate flooring is resistant
to harmful UV rays of the sun, which cause discoloration and
fading;
Easy to Clean: Your ordinary kitchen mop can clean
spills easily and a few brush strokes can liven up its looks.
With all the benefits far outweighing minor deficits (if any),
millions of homes, including David’s, could not have gone
wrong when they chose laminate flooring. Is it not about time,
you do, too? |
