How to buy laminate flooring
Laminate floors are remarkably realistic mimics of wood, tile, and stone. It's often difficult to tell it from the real thing. It comes in a wide assortment of colors, styles, and designs.
Floors For You Kitchen & Bath is a laminate retailer with a showroom in Jupiter, FL. We'll be happy to show you samples and tell you more about this wonderful product. Meanwhile, here are some tips for shopping for laminate.
Floors For You Kitchen & Bath is a laminate retailer with a showroom in Jupiter, FL. We'll be happy to show you samples and tell you more about this wonderful product. Meanwhile, here are some tips for shopping for laminate.
Laminate flooring is an investment
Good quality laminate flooring has enhanced appearance, performance, and longevity that will always have you smiling from ear to ear. Examine the image quality. Most images are taken with 3D photography so they're clear, vibrant, and accurate. You should see knots, grains, swirls, and veining variations. Colors should pop.
Also look for thickness as that not only affects durability but also appearance; the thicker it is, the deeper the embossing with more design options. It should be at least eight or nine mils thick. If you want the highest quality with the most authentic solid, firm feeling of hardwood, go with 10-12 mils. The overall thickness also includes the wear layer, a top clear, aluminum-coated sheet that protects the floor against scratches and scuffs.
Cores directly affect stability and waterproofing. Cores for laminate flooring include HDF, high-density fiberboard. There's also MDF (medium density fiberboard) or plywood. While all are good, the highest quality is HDF.
Also look for thickness as that not only affects durability but also appearance; the thicker it is, the deeper the embossing with more design options. It should be at least eight or nine mils thick. If you want the highest quality with the most authentic solid, firm feeling of hardwood, go with 10-12 mils. The overall thickness also includes the wear layer, a top clear, aluminum-coated sheet that protects the floor against scratches and scuffs.
Cores directly affect stability and waterproofing. Cores for laminate flooring include HDF, high-density fiberboard. There's also MDF (medium density fiberboard) or plywood. While all are good, the highest quality is HDF.
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An underlayment is important for laminate
That is especially so for these floors since the installation technique is usually a floating floor. That means the pieces click together to form a mat and then hover over the subfloor with no glues or nails needed. Since they aren't affixed to the subfloor, it is the underlayment that will provide the foundation and give stability.
Underlayments also insulate from noise and provide cushioning when walking or standing. Sometimes a vapor barrier is also needed since some subfloors (namely, concrete) can be damp. Since the material is composed of wood products, it will be affected by humidity.
Many come with pre-attached underlayments. If yours does, no need to buy an additional one. If, however, yours doesn't, it's strongly recommended that you select the best one for your floor. Your flooring expert will advise you.
For more information about laminate flooring visit the Floors For You Kitchen & Bath showroom in Jupiter, Fl. We serve Jupiter, FL, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, West Palm Beach, FL, Juno Beach, FL, Hobe Sound, FL, and Boca Raton, FL. Ask about our estimates.
Underlayments also insulate from noise and provide cushioning when walking or standing. Sometimes a vapor barrier is also needed since some subfloors (namely, concrete) can be damp. Since the material is composed of wood products, it will be affected by humidity.
Many come with pre-attached underlayments. If yours does, no need to buy an additional one. If, however, yours doesn't, it's strongly recommended that you select the best one for your floor. Your flooring expert will advise you.
For more information about laminate flooring visit the Floors For You Kitchen & Bath showroom in Jupiter, Fl. We serve Jupiter, FL, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, West Palm Beach, FL, Juno Beach, FL, Hobe Sound, FL, and Boca Raton, FL. Ask about our estimates.
