Laminate Flooring – A Basic Guide
Laminate flooring is becoming increasingly popular in North America and around the world. Due to its affordability, beauty, ease of installation and durability, laminate flooring has become a low maintenance flooring solution for homes and offices.
The laminate wood flooring that homeowners are familiar with was invented by Perstorp AB Holdings, who marketed this flooring material under the name “Pergo” starting in 1984. Simply put, the simple type decorative laminate used for kitchen countertops was brought to living room floors. Pergo floors were a significant European innovation, and they became very popular upon being introducted to North America in 1984, even though glue was required for installation. By 2004, over 250 million square meters of laminate flooring were sold worldwide according to the European Producers of Laminate Flooring.
Between 2000 and 2005, the glueless click-lock installation method was introduced along with the technology of “embossed and registered” which enabled the production of exact hardwood replicates, and laminate flooring manufacturing began in the United States. These developments helped spur the increase in laminate flooring sales. Besides Pergo, consumers can now purchase laminate flooring manufactured by Mannington, Shaw, Mohawk, Quick-Step, Wilsonart, and many other companies.
People often confuse laminate flooring with solid hardwood flooring, which is a misconception. Although they look similar, laminate flooring is not manufactured from hardwood; rather, it is a high-tech floor made by fusing several layers of material together into one board. The core layer is usually made of medium- or high-density fiberboard which absorbs the stress resulting from walking and other types of impact. The decorative layer is fused on top of the core and is actually a picture of the floor printed on a type of “living paper”. A transparent wear layer is applied directly over the decorative layer and is then treated with several coats of an aluminum oxide finish. This treatment provides resistance against burns, dents, scratches and stains.
One of the major characteristics of laminate flooring is that it is easy to install compared to other types of flooring. Some of the cleaner and more efficient laminate flooring lines are the “glueless” type, in which the flooring is usually fitted together by means of a “tongue and groove” design. This design consists of interlocking elements that slide into place and are made secure as each row is laid down. No nails are required unlike hardwood. Some laminate types feature more sophisticated locking systems that are designed to be put down and taken up again.
This Buildipedia DIY video shows you how to install laminate flooring:
Laminate flooring can be installed by do-it-yourselfers in most cases, as long as they have basic carpentry skills. This cuts down on expenses, although people may want to hire an installer just for convenience. Offering laminate flooring to customers is often a time-saving option for contractors as it is a quick installation compare to hardwood flooring, which allows them to take on more contracts.
