What is the difference between a real wood floor and a laminate floor?
What does "1-strip', "2-strip" or "3-strip" Hardwood Flooring mean?
Does laminate flooring need to be acclimated to my home?
Where can I install a laminate floor in my home?
Can laminate flooring be installed over radiant heat?
How is a laminate floor installed?
How do I install laminate flooring in extra large spaces?
Isn't there a hollow sound when you walk on a laminate floor?
Are laminate floors easy to maintain?
Will a laminate floor fade or change color?
How can I repair scratches?
Can I replace a single damaged board?
Can I sand and refinish a laminate floor?
How long will a laminate floor last?
What is the difference between a real wood floor and a laminate floor?
The main difference is that laminate flooring is not made of wood it is a photograph of an particular wood species or stone pattern that is adhered to a dense particle board or high density fiberboard center core. The top layer is protected with layers of a protective finish. "Quality" laminate floors are not easily scratched or dented and they are easily installed -- usually in a glue less
click-together floating method. These durable floors are more resistant
to stains than real wood and will not expand or contract as much with
seasonal changes in humidity and temperature. Laminate flooring cannot be sanded and refinished like real wood flooring and would have to be replaced when worn out or scratched. Laminate floors are very popular in high trafficked areas like Kitchens.
Wood Flooring is real wood, durable but not quite as durable as a Quality Laminate floor. The advantage of real wood is that most can be sanded and refinished new again lasting many years. Hardwood Flooring is the only floor covering that will also increase the value of your home.
What does "1-strip", "2-strip" or "3-strip" Hardwood Flooring mean?
Some Laminate and Wood Engineered floors offer a 4, 6 or 7 inch wide plank and within that plank the surface visual appearance is manufactured to look like 1, 2 or 3 narrower individual boards. How narrow that look depends on the manufacturer usually there are just three looks available, the one strip (single board look), the two strip (each single plank will contain the appearance of two boards) and the three strip (each plank will contain the appearance of three boards).
Does laminate flooring need to acclimated to my home?
Even though laminate flooring isn't real wood, we recommend that you allow the boards to acclimate for at least 48 before installation.
Where can I install a laminate floor in my home?
Laminate flooring can generally be installed on, above, or below grade in the home. Many manufacturers warrant their laminate floors against moisture -- so they're good for use in kitchens and half-baths. We don't recommend laminate floors in full baths where excessive water will be spilled on them. The best floor option for a full bath would be ceramic tile or vinyl flooring.
Can laminate flooring be installed over radiant heat?
Laminate floors can be installed over radiant heating systems without a problem. The manufacturer will note in their installation instructions if there are any special procedures required. Since laminate flooring isn't a wood product, most of them have superior heat resistance attributes.
How is a laminate floor installed?
Most laminate floors manufactured today are installed using a type of Click Lock floating method over a foam pad. There's no adhesive, nails or staples necessary. You can also use your new laminate floor right away, there's no waiting for anything to dry or set.
How do I install laminate flooring in extra large spaces?
Each manufacturer is different when it comes to how large of a space you can install a laminate floor without a transition strip. These size limits usually range from 42' to 50'. If you're planning on exceeding the manufacturer's size limit, the transition you will need is the t-molding.
Isn't there a hollow sound when you walk on a laminate floor?
Since laminate flooring is generally a thinner type floor you may notice a little more noise when walking on them. To help reduce excessive noise there are special pads like Silent Stride Underlayment pad or there are sound deadening Cork Underlayment. that have superior sound control attributes. Quality underlayment pads not only protect the laminate flooring from subfloor conditions, but also act as a cushion and sound blocker.
Are laminate floors easy to maintain?
Laminate floors are very easy to keep clean because of their stain-resistant qualities. Like all floor surfaces though, you need to clean up spills and keep excessive water off of the floor. For general maintenance, we recommend that you vacuum or sweep up dirt/dust regularly. When needed, you can also use a special laminate floor cleaner to take care of any film that may be building up and to keep up the natural shine on the floor. You will find them in our Laminate Floor Care section of our website.
Will a laminate floor fade or change color?
Most "Quality" laminates today use the best technology available. The top layers are designed not only to look just like real wood flooring, but also to help protect the color and pattern against UV rays.
How can I repair scratches?
Laminate floors are highly durable, but they do have limits. If you drop or drag something heavy on a laminate floor, it will leave a mark. Manufacturers generally will have a touch up kit available for their specific color lines. If the damage cannot be fixed with a simple touch up kit, replacing the damaged board is always an option.
Can I replace a single damaged board?
Since laminate flooring is installed using a Click Loc type floating method and are not attached or glued directly to the subfloor. You can un click the flooring starting from the last boards installed, back to the damaged board and replace it. Then you simply re click the boards into place.
Can I sand and refinish a laminate floor?
No. Laminate floors are not made of wood and they cannot be sanded. One of the benefits of laminate flooring is that it is more scratch resistant than real wood, and if a plank does become damaged, you can easily replace that board without ruining the rest of your floor in the process.
How long will a laminate floor last?
Not all laminate floors are considered equal. Most manufacturers offer a variety of collections ranging from the very best to a more budget priced collections, Warranties on most laminates are between 10-25 years and some even offer limited warranties against fading, wear, moisture, etc. But, as with all flooring they must be maintained properly to last the longest.
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