What to consider when shopping for laminate flooring
Laminate flooring has long been considered an affordable alternative to genuine wood (or stone or tile). It's available in many styles, including oak, maple, hickory, and walnut, is durable and easy-to-clean and has a simple installation. With the development of a waterproof version, laminate is installed in any room, including the kitchen and bath. To ensure you're getting the best quality, look for these things.
First impressions count
This has everything to do with style. Images are taken with 3D photography, so they have clarity and vibrancy with knots, grains, swirls, and veining variations. It is micro-beveled and deeply embossed to add depth, dimension, and textured features such as wire-brushed, hand scraped, weathered, or distressed.
Images follow all the trends; whether it's a gray or whitewashed floor, marble surface, or encaustic-style tile, and is so realistic sometimes, even the flooring experts can't tell the difference. Your wallet will know the difference, though, because it can be two to three times less expensive. Laminate can be cut into planks to mimic hardwood boards or groutable squares to echo stone and tile to add realism.
Images follow all the trends; whether it's a gray or whitewashed floor, marble surface, or encaustic-style tile, and is so realistic sometimes, even the flooring experts can't tell the difference. Your wallet will know the difference, though, because it can be two to three times less expensive. Laminate can be cut into planks to mimic hardwood boards or groutable squares to echo stone and tile to add realism.
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Kid-and pet-friendly durability
Thanks to the multilayers, this resists scratches, scuffs, and dents, and because it's so durable, it's less susceptible to wear and tear from running dogs, scratching cats, and foot traffic. Because of the top, clear aluminum oxide coating, the floor is protected, and it's less susceptible to fading from sunlight. These floors can last upwards of 25 years.
Examine thickness
The best laminate flooring is 10-mm or 12-mm thick, not counting the underlayment. While it comes in a range of thicknesses, a more robust surface hides subfloor imperfections, is quieter, and has more design options. If you select a wood look, it is advised to go as high as possible for a quality, authentic, hard surface feeling.
These floors are low maintenance, with only daily sweeping and periodic mopping needed. Use a manufacturer-approved cleaner and avoid waxy-shine promoting substances as they can dull. If you feel you need more shine, seek the advice of a flooring expert. Installation can be an easy and uncomplicated floating floor where the pieces click together, mat, then hover over the subfloor without nails or glue.
Did you know that laminate flooring water-resistance can be enhanced with a great installation? We use caulking and joint extender when necessary but, whether it's a more complicated tongue and groove or an easier floating floor, you can always be assured of a high quality installation. Visit the Cheap Charlies Flooring showroom in Newport, NC for information and a free laminate flooring quote, especially if you live in or around Newport, NC, Jacksonville, NC, New Bern, NC, Atlantic Beach, NC, Emerald Isle, NC, Havelock, NC, Morehead City, NC, Beaufort, NC, Cape Carteret, NC and Swansboro, NC.
These floors are low maintenance, with only daily sweeping and periodic mopping needed. Use a manufacturer-approved cleaner and avoid waxy-shine promoting substances as they can dull. If you feel you need more shine, seek the advice of a flooring expert. Installation can be an easy and uncomplicated floating floor where the pieces click together, mat, then hover over the subfloor without nails or glue.
Did you know that laminate flooring water-resistance can be enhanced with a great installation? We use caulking and joint extender when necessary but, whether it's a more complicated tongue and groove or an easier floating floor, you can always be assured of a high quality installation. Visit the Cheap Charlies Flooring showroom in Newport, NC for information and a free laminate flooring quote, especially if you live in or around Newport, NC, Jacksonville, NC, New Bern, NC, Atlantic Beach, NC, Emerald Isle, NC, Havelock, NC, Morehead City, NC, Beaufort, NC, Cape Carteret, NC and Swansboro, NC.
