Many consumers choose laminate flooring for its affordability, appearance and durability. Laminate comes in a wide variety of colours and designs, and it is budget friendly. Consumers do, however, need to be aware that not all laminate floors are of equal quality, and laminate flooring is not the best option for every room in the house.
Buyers should educate themselves about quality, care, and the advantages and disadvantages of laminate floors before making a purchase.
Laminate Flooring Manufacturing and Quality
Understanding the composition of laminate planks allows consumers to choose better quality floors. Each laminate plank has four parts, the surface or shell, the decorative resin, the core, and the backing. The shell is the outer plastic covering that protects the floor.
Higher end floors have more durable and moisture resistant shells than floors of lesser quality. The shell protects a decorative resin layer that is designed to look like wood grain or ceramic tile.
High quality floors look realistic, while lower quality floors appear flat and two dimensional. Under this decorative layer is a core that is usually made of fibre board. Better floors have thick cores which add durability. Below the core is the backing. A high quality floor usually has durable plastic backing, while a less expensive floor has paper backing.
Laminate Flooring Installation and Cleaning
Good quality laminate flooring is easy to install and requires little care. Laminate planks fit together with interlocking tongues and grooves, creating a ¡°floating floor.¡± This means that laminate does not bond to the subfloor, so it can be installed over existing floors. Once the floor is installed, laminate is easy to care for, requiring only sweeping and occasional cleaning with a damp mop.
Laminate Flooring: Advantages and Disadvantages
Versatile, affordable, and low maintenance, laminate flooring has many advantages. Laminate flooring is an excellent choice for New Zealand consumers who are looking for a durable, affordable, and beautiful product.
