Would You Try Wood Laminate Flooring?

If you love hardwood flooring, but you don't want to spend a fortune, a laminate wood floor may be the answer. You can find a wide variety of laminate flooring brands in different designs and sizes to give you that hardwood look.

Hardwood Flooring vs. Wood Laminate Flooring

As beautiful as a hardwood floor may look, there are a few benefits to choosing laminate over hardwood:

  • Durability -- Wood laminate flooring is great for high-traffic areas and doesn't fade or stain as easily as hardwood flooring.
  • Maintenance -- Hardwood flooring can require a lot of upkeep; laminate flooring is easier to maintain, you don't need to polish, wax, refinish, or sand it.
  • Cost -- Wood laminate flooring can average anywhere from $1.50 to $6.00 per square foot depending on the quality, whereas hardwood flooring can start at almost twice as much.

Installing Wood Laminate

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Laminate wood flooring floats on top of your existing floor. You'll install a polyurethane underlay under the laminate flooring to allow the floor to lay over the top. There are two types of wood laminate:

  • Glued: A few laminate floors require application of glue to the tongue and groove joints. Other laminate floors are pre-glued and require a damp sponge to re-activate the adhesive at the edges.
  • Glueless: These flooring squares do not require glue for assembly; the tongue and grooves are designed to lock together.

Tips For Laminate Floor Upkeep:

To keep your laminate floor in tip-tip condition, consider the following:

  • Protect the floor from furniture scratches: Use felt pads underneath chair and table legs.
  • Vacuum up dirt or grit with the soft brush accessory attachments.
  • Wipe the floor with a damp cloth or mop the floor when needed.
  • Don't use steel wool or abrasives; laminate flooring, although durable, can be scratched.

You can have the look of hardwood in your home for much less than natural hardwood. After simple installation and easy maintenance, your laminate floor will give you years of performance.

Sources:
Floor Facts
Floor Shop
Hardwood Flooring Direct
Fast Floors