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No one here at global hardwood and supplies will argue the fact that though some flooring materials may get close, nothing will ever completely duplicate the look and feel of hardwood flooring. However, there are some applications for which hardwood is poorly suited, and trying to use wood in these situations will end up costing you more money in the end. Fortunately, there is a solution that will give you the same look, but will be able to withstand the moisture, and it’s not the vinyl flooring you may expect.

Homeowners Wanting the Look of Wood Flooring Can Now Opt for This Easy-Maintenance Option

Laminate flooring has proven itself to be a truly dependable flooring material, giving homeowners a the look of fine flooring materials without the hassle of costly maintenance and the problems with budgeting for more expensive flooring. It is no longer the cheap, unrealistic substitute that it was at its inception.

Laminate Flooring: A Worthy Substitute

It comes as no surprise that many homeowners have opted for laminate flooring over wood flooring in their homes. Both have the ability to beautify homes and provide it with warmth and a cozy feel. But unlike wood flooring, laminate flooring is a ready-to-install flooring material that doesn’t need refinishing or staining. What you see is what you get.

Laminate Flooring Variety

With laminate flooring, homeowners have the choice of which of the many wood flooring species they would like in their home. Since laminate flooring features a highly-rendered image of wood species (among many others), the options are virtually endless. For homeowners who like the ease of having a laminate floor and would love the beauty and dependability within a budget, laminate flooring is a superb choice.

Homeowners and Laminate Flooring
The relationship between homeowners and laminate flooring start when the homeowners starts to look for a flooring option that suits their budget and lifestyle. With the great number of materials in the market, this is not an easy task.
Originally a counter-top material, laminate flooring has distinguished itself among other flooring options by being an easy-to-maintain flooring option that gives the look of a variety of other flooring materials at a price point that homeowners love.
Unlike most flooring options, such as wood, laminate flooring can be installed without trouble even in below-grade locations. It’s even available in patterns to mimic stone and bamboo flooring if you like.
What Is the Difference Between Laminate and Hardwood Flooring?

Both laminate flooring and hardwood flooring can beautify a home. While hardwood is often thought to be a superior choice, there are several advantages to laminate flooring. Distinct differences between the two types of flooring often make laminate a more attractive alternative. Solid hardwood of any thickness (most is 3/8″ to 3/4″) should be installed only above grade. Laminate flooring can be installed above or below grade, and over virtually any other flooring surface.

Laminate Flooring vs. Engineered Hardwood

Some hardwood flooring is engineered, meaning that instead of solid hardwood, it is made of several wood layers with a hardwood veneer. Laminate flooring, usually 7mm to 8mm (5/16″ to 3/8″), is also made of several layers. These are laminated together which makes for stability and strength. The top surface of laminate flooring is a photograph of hardwood.

High quality photographs faithfully reproduce the grain and color of natural hardwood, and the surfaces on quality laminate flooring closely resemble real wood. Although many people insist on hardwood flooring, laminates are a long-lasting, durable, affordable option that are quickly becoming one of the most popular types of flooring.

Article Provided By Global Hardwood and supplies Thousand Oaks Ventura County .
www.Ghardwood.com

There is a range of ways to laminate your floor, and with prices ranging to suit most budgets it could be worthwhile considering the merits of laminate over more traditional carpets or other types of flooring.

Adding value

One of the first questions to ask about laminate flooring is whether it will add value and convenience to your home. As a modern style and with lower maintenance levels than carpet, many householders find there is a distinct appeal with laminate floors. They look smart and functional, and there is an immediate choice if you miss the soft warm feel of carpet as rugs and mats work exceptionally well laid out over laminate floor.

The downside is that it is not real wood. It’s actually a photograph or image of wood glued to high-density backing board. Choose the wrong type of laminate flooring and you could find that it looks a bit ‘tacky’, almost as if you’re trying to make something look like wood when it blatantly isn’t. Vinyl floors with a ‘wood effect’ finish can also suffer from the same problem. Choosing cost over quality could be counter productive when you’re trying to add value and appeal to your property, so always go for the best quality laminate or vinyl flooring you can afford.

But if you’re trying to add value and appeal to your home, laminate floors can be a more affordable home improvement than a real wood floor. Like vinyl, they are easy to maintain and relatively cheap to install. But if you’ve already got a quality carpet then it might be worth ditching the idea, as on balance a good quality carpet could have just as much appeal as a fake wood floor.

What’s under the carpet?

The whole point about improving your floor is adding style, functionality and visual appeal. An old scruffy carpet is going to look far worse than a brand new laminate floor, but try taking a look under the carpet. Before you spend money on a new vinyl or laminate floor it could be worth checking that you don’t already have a great looking wood floor underneath your existing carpet. It might be in need of a bit of sanding and varnish, but you could already be standing on what would otherwise be a very expensive and valuable wooden floor.

A mix of carpet and laminate or wood flooring can often be a good option, with wood or laminate flooring on the ground floor, and carpet in the bedrooms. This way, you can save money and put the wood or laminate flooring in the areas where they’re most likely to be appreciated, and valued. Rugs can be laid over the wood flooring where necessary.

Essentially, the choice between carpet and laminate is down to individual style. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but while a wood floor always looks better than laminate, it’s a question over what is affordable and whether you’re really going to get value for money.

Article Provided By Global Hardwood and supplies Thousand Oaks Ventura County .
www.Ghardwood.com

Unlike hardwood, laminate flooring will not stain, fade, dent and are far more scratch and water resistant. Entry level laminate floors is designed for light traffic areas and come with warranties ranging from 10 to 15 years.
Laminate Flooring Laminate Floors Design Hardwood floors Bamboo Flooring Carpet Cork Floors Tile Vinyl Flooring
Most people set their expectations too high and expect that entry level laminate floors will perform under heavy traffic conditions and still look good for the duration of the warranty. This is however not the case, as an entry level floor subject to high traffic will start to show wear and tear within three to five years.

Laminate floors come with cores ranging from 6mm up to 12mm. A thicker core is more stable, less vulnerable to buckling and will sound more like real hardwood when walked on. Good quality cores are treated with water repellent chemicals, and resist swelling due to excessive moisture. This is very important especially when considering placing laminate wood flooring in bathrooms and kitchen. For these applications also consider a floor that has Paraffin wax impregnated joints. The Paraffin wax acts as a water repellent and will prevent topical water spills from penetrating down to the core. Also remember to scrutinize the warranty, as certain products are not covered for use in bathrooms and kitchens.

Buying the floors that suits your needs will save you money in the long run. This is not to say that every home requires a high end floor with an extensive warranty. Consider the amount of traffic as well as the amount of time you intend staying in your current home. There is no point in purchasing an expensive floor with an extended warranty if you plan on moving in the near future. Remember, the floor is usually the first thing replaced by people when moving to a new home.

Laminate wood flooring offers the best combination of quality and value in a wide range of colors, styles and designs and are also engineered engineered for exceptional strength and durability and will last for years and years. For a rich and long-lasting experience, at a home friendly price, choose l-a-m-i-n-a-t-e; it’s a natural look for your home and for the way you want to live.

Laminate floors history

Since their introduction into the US in 1982, the sector has experienced growth of up to 20% per annum at the expense of other floor types, making laminate the fastest growing floor type in the country. The appeal lies not only in its aesthetic value of its representation of real hardwood, but also due to its incredible durability and ease of maintenance.

The traditional look of hardwood is timeless; its beauty has brought a sense of comfort and elegance to homes around the world for many generations. Hardwood floors are however pricey, not very durable and require a fair amount of routine maintenance and care. Even the most recent technological advancements in surface treatment have not been able to solve such problems as scratching, fading, denting and staining. This has lead to the invention of laminate wood floors. With its machine made construction and hardwood photographic laminated surface, this floor is the perfect solution for the look and appeal of real hardwood that is more durable and requires less maintenance.

Article Provided By Global Hardwood and supplies Thousand Oaks Ventura County .
www.Ghardwood.com

www.Ghardwood.com