Laminate flooring is becoming a more popular choice for those who are remodelling their homes. Unlike the equally popular hardwood floor, laminate flooring is more resistant to the effects of nature and every day wear and tear, while still maintaining its natural wooden appearance. It is considered the answer to all D.I.Y’ers prayers because unlike the alternatives, laminate flooring is fairly simple to install and easy to clean with a trusty laminate floor cleaner.
Laminate flooring can be categorised by installation type. Anybody wishing to install their own laminate floor should consider the options. According to KitchenandFlooring.com: the four forms of installation are:
1. Glueless laminate flooring
No mess, glueless installation makes these floors quick and easy-to-install. They come in a variety of designs and colours. A thin, separate underlay is needed to seal out moisture from below, reduce noise levels and help installation in slightly uneven areas.
2. Laminate flooring with attached underlay
These floors come with several different types of tongue and grooved locking systems and an attached underlay. These floors are even easier to fit than those with separate underlay.
3. Glued laminate flooring
These are the laminate floors that require a specially formulated glue to be applied to the tongue and grooved areas of each plank. Once the glue is dried, the planks are almost impossible to pull apart. They form a very solid floor but are more difficult to repair should an individual plank need replacing.
4. Pre-glued laminate flooring
No mess, because the glue is already applied to the tongue and grooves which makes these floors quick and easy-to-install. A thin, plastic underlay is needed to seal out moisture and prevent the glue from sticking to the floor. All laminate floors should allow for movement so there should be no permanent fixing to floors or walls.
Over two-thirds of laminates produced fall into the glueless click lock category. So far it is the most advanced and convenient method of laminate installation. It uses joining mechanisms that connect and fasten the plank securely together, making it the easiest type to install.
Although glueless flooring is the most popular choice, some might prefer the other installation methods. All varieties need an underlay but laminate flooring with a pre-attached underlay relieves you of the necessity to secure one separately. If one is aiming for durability, glued laminate flooring is proven to be even sturdier but as mentioned, more difficult to repair if you need a section of the floor to be replaced.
No matter what laminate floor type you prefer, one must always remember that the longevity of the flooring also depends on the care given after installation. To that end, you should make sure to invest in the right kind of cleaning product to preserve your flooring’s cleanliness and sheen. Another option is to consult professional cleaning specialists like those from Laminate Restoration U.K. They provide various bespoke laminate floor repair products that will deep clean and restore floors to their original state.
(Source: Laminate Styles, Kitchen & Flooring)