iFloor: All About Laminate Flooring
We all love the effect wood materials do to our homes. Wood brings out a classic yet homey feel. When we want the effect of wood to embrace our homes, we resort to installing hardwood flooring. Hardwood flooring is has many great attributes like making a room traditional and elegant. It is also very durable. However, hardwood flooring can be very expensive. Before, people who could not afford hardwood flooring give up the idea of having the wood effect in their homes. But that was only before Laminate flooring was created. What is laminate flooring and how does it become an alternative to the good ol' hardwood? iFloor [http://ifloorcompany.com/about.html], the top discount flooring store online, shares us facts about Laminate flooring.
Laminate flooring is a construction material made to finish floors either in homes or commercial places. It is specially designed to be an alternative to the expensive hardwood. Laminate flooring is made of synthetic materials and very small amount of wood material but it is processed so it imitates the look and feel of authentic hardwood flooring. It is preferred by people who are not willing to spend too much for a hardwood but wants the same qualities.
To exactly imitate the attributes or real hardwood flooring, laminate flooring is constructed with several layers. Each layer serves a specific purpose. The base is made from a fiber board core. The core is treated with Melamine or plastic resin to be extra strong and durable. To copy the look of hardwood, a printed layer which resembles real wood grain is placed on top of the base using a clear sealer. To protect the wood from moisture, a backing layer is added just under the base.
Unlike hardwood floor or any other types, laminate flooring is not glued down or nailed on the subfloor. Instead, a floating system is done by using the tongue and groove connecting method. The laminate flooring does not touch the subfloor, floating just above it by click-locking the planks. Laminate can be installed in most smooth and even surfaces.
There are two types of laminate flooring: direct-pressure and high-pressure. High-pressure laminate flooring is more durable and provides better protection from damages. It is harder, making it more difficult to emboss with patterns. Direct-pressure laminates are softer, making it possible for more creative designs to be embossed. It is also a lot cheaper than high-pressure laminates. Laminate flooring comes in different styles and designs to choose from.
Most laminate flooring already comes with integral foam padding ready for installation. Other manufacturers, however, recommend getting separate underlayments to be used on your subfloor.
Whatever type of laminate flooring you choose you can take advantage of several benefits. Aside from being less expensive, laminate flooring is more environmental because the material used does not come from old or exotic tree species. Another is that the nice seal coat used is a great material in preventing scratches and damages. It only needs minimal maintenance and installation is very easy.
Laminate flooring provides beauty and many great benefits to your precious home. Get your quality laminate flooring and choose from various styles by visiting iFloor [http://ifloorcompany.com/faq.html].
Laminate flooring is a construction material made to finish floors either in homes or commercial places. It is specially designed to be an alternative to the expensive hardwood. Laminate flooring is made of synthetic materials and very small amount of wood material but it is processed so it imitates the look and feel of authentic hardwood flooring. It is preferred by people who are not willing to spend too much for a hardwood but wants the same qualities.
To exactly imitate the attributes or real hardwood flooring, laminate flooring is constructed with several layers. Each layer serves a specific purpose. The base is made from a fiber board core. The core is treated with Melamine or plastic resin to be extra strong and durable. To copy the look of hardwood, a printed layer which resembles real wood grain is placed on top of the base using a clear sealer. To protect the wood from moisture, a backing layer is added just under the base.
Unlike hardwood floor or any other types, laminate flooring is not glued down or nailed on the subfloor. Instead, a floating system is done by using the tongue and groove connecting method. The laminate flooring does not touch the subfloor, floating just above it by click-locking the planks. Laminate can be installed in most smooth and even surfaces.
There are two types of laminate flooring: direct-pressure and high-pressure. High-pressure laminate flooring is more durable and provides better protection from damages. It is harder, making it more difficult to emboss with patterns. Direct-pressure laminates are softer, making it possible for more creative designs to be embossed. It is also a lot cheaper than high-pressure laminates. Laminate flooring comes in different styles and designs to choose from.
Most laminate flooring already comes with integral foam padding ready for installation. Other manufacturers, however, recommend getting separate underlayments to be used on your subfloor.
Whatever type of laminate flooring you choose you can take advantage of several benefits. Aside from being less expensive, laminate flooring is more environmental because the material used does not come from old or exotic tree species. Another is that the nice seal coat used is a great material in preventing scratches and damages. It only needs minimal maintenance and installation is very easy.
Laminate flooring provides beauty and many great benefits to your precious home. Get your quality laminate flooring and choose from various styles by visiting iFloor [http://ifloorcompany.com/faq.html].
Source...