PROS OF LAMINATE

Laminate flooring faithfully reproduces the look of wood, stone, and other natural materials. Unlike real hardwood, which comes with many imperfect pieces that need to be discarded or re-engineered, there are no defects in laminate flooring. Every board is of consistent quality and appearance. Also unlike wood, which can dent, laminate flooring is almost impervious to dents and scratches. Easy to clean. Laminate installs fast and easy. 

LAMINATE BENEFITS

Today’s laminate looks are extremely realistic in their representation of hardwood and tile.  Laminate flooring manufacturers have been working hard on improving the product. Micro bevels, deeper texturing, and better graphics reproduction are three ways this product has improved, bringing it closer to the cachet enjoyed by solid hardwood and engineered wood flooring. 

Laminates are inherently “green,” because they use fewer resources and far less wood in their manufacture. And because they’re durable—some styles even offer 25-year warranties. Consider laminate for a unique look that’s  affordable and beautiful.

LAMINATE INSTALLATION

We will assist you every step of the way after you’ve selected your new floor with  professional on-site measurement, removal of old flooring and skilled installation.Your floors will look amazing after our expert installation. 

Once you have selected your new floor, we will provide free in home expert measurements, removal any of existing flooring and professional installation of the new floor. 

Following is a checklist of things to do before the installation even begins to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

Determine who will be removing the old flooring and moving any furniture. Complete any painting, wallpapering or other remodeling prior to the hardwood installation. Measure and verify that you have enough door clearance once the new floors are installed. If the new floor is thicker than your existing floor, door bottoms may rub. Plan in advance to have someone shave or saw the correct amount off the bottom of each door so it does not drag.

To make your laminate look good now and for a long time to come, proper installation is critical. Here’s the procedure an experienced installation professional will follow:

Floors shrink and expand as temperatures and humidity levels change, so you’ll need to begin acclimating your flooring to the conditions of your space prior to installation. 

Flooring manufacturers always recommend putting down underlayment before laying the laminate. This thin foam helps to absorb sound; provides a thermal barrier; makes it easier to walk on the laminate, and helps the flooring bridge minor gaps and bumps. The planks or tiles are laid down, maintaining a gap around the floor’s perimeter to allow for expansion.

 Professional installation ensures that your floor will look beautiful and perform well over time.

PROPER CARE & MAINTENANCE OF LAMINATE

Laminate floors get their beautiful appearance from a photographic reproduction, which is layered inside protective plastic coatings on a supporting core of wood-based material. Even though laminate floors look like hardwood, they cannot be refinished and are difficult to repair. If laminate gets worn down, unfortunately it will have to be replaced. So, it’s worth your time and effort to protect your investment by keeping them clean and free from damaging grit and moisture. Put mats by exterior doors, runners or area rugs in high-traffic areas, and floor protectors beneath the feet and corners of heavy furniture.

Sweep or vacuum in the direction that your floor is laid to catch debris between the interlocking pieces. Wipe up all spills right away, including dry materials that fall. Light damp mopping will help if simply wiping is not enough. Exercise caution; avoid overly wet mopping, which can result in water seeping behind baseboards and damaging your floor beyond repair. If there is standing water on the floor after mopping, dry it with a microfiber cloth. When you do mop, use two buckets of water—one for clean water, and one for dirty water. Using a dirty mop head on your floors is usually the reason why annoying streaking appears afterwards. Before you mop, vacuum first instead of sweeping. Vacuuming is much more effective at picking up particles. Just be sure to switch your vacuum setting to a soft brush. Rotating bristles on standard brushes can scratch a laminate floor. 

Always reference your laminate floor warranty for specific care requirements!