Laminate flooring is popping up all over town, and why shouldn't they? They're less work, cheaper, easier to install, and come in a variety of colors and patterns. What's more is that since this is a manufactured product, the price for laminate flooring is not tethered to fluctuating wood markets. Good news to homeowners, as they can rest easy that their flooring project will not see a price hike before the flooring is set.
Not Knocking on Wood There is no question that wood has been and might always be the flooring material of choice. The problem is that not everyone can afford hardwood floors. Beyond that, the process of obtaining and maintaining wood floors is cumbersome and occurs every few years. Laminate flooring is not real wood. If you are a purist and want the “real thing," there is nothing that I could say that would convince you that laminate is as good as hardwood.
Hardwood is beautiful, adds real value to your home and can last for a lifetime. If you can afford hardwood flooring, can afford help with installation and upkeep, and don’t mind worrying about fading, stains, and scuff marks--hardwood flooring is for you.
First, when you have hardwood installed, the flooring contractor will need to keep the flooring planks in your home for up to a week to adjust to the humidity levels in your home. That way when the flooring is installed, the wood won't swell or shrink, which minimizes early creaking and loose boards. Then the floor has to be stained, glazed, then sealed. Not to mention that wood needs to be refinished regularly.
The Laminate Floor Advantage Laminate flooring, on the other hand, does not require steady maintenance and protection from scuffs and ridge marks. You won't have to oil your floors, have them sanded and restained, or worry about water spills. But that is just the part of the iceberg that sticks out of the water.
Laminate floors are super-versatile in that laminate flooring comes in scores of colors, patterns, and designs. These floors are hard and durable just like a laminate counter. Another big advantage to laminate is competition. Laminate flooring gives a realistic impression of wood (you can also get tile look-a-likes) with an extremely durable finish, but it is not wood. Laminate flooring tops wood for livability in several areas: scratch resistance, stain resistance, fade resistance, impact resistance, ease of installation and maintenance, and moisture resistance.
Laminate Flooring Brands At last count, there are 35 different brands of laminate floors. Every time someone wants to redo their floors, there are 35 companies competing for your business. As a result, the price is always right and you can always find a brand that will fit your budget.
Of course, certain brands have specific product lines for different people. Some brands offer different wood grains, some offer different tones and colors, others offer a more durable product. Whatever you are looking for, one of these laminate brands will have it.
Best Practices Laminate floors are for every home. Even if you are a die hard supporter of hardwoods, there are still places in your home that are better suited for laminates, such as children's rooms, laundry rooms, and entrances. These heavily trafficked areas are a great place to install laminate because if one area of hardwood gets damaged you'll likely have to refinish the entire floor. If it were laminate, you just fix what needs fixing.
Of course, the benefits of bamboo don't mean that it's perfect for everyone. There are some reasons that hardwood is traditional, and in an antique home, it may work better. It takes longer to put in hardwood flooring, but for some, the look outweighs the trouble.
While bamboo is an attractive type of floor that works very well in many homes, it's not the same as a traditional floor made from wood. This flooring is more uniform and has less color variation than a hardwood floor, for instance.
This is considered a benefit by some, and for others, it's a reason not to use bamboo. If you're not sure, remember that bamboo flooring does eliminate the dust and much of the mess associated with installing a hardwood floor. It's significantly more convenient, since the pieces arrive ready to install.
That means that while it's great for installation in many homes, people restoring vintage buildings or those who love a very traditional look may be turned off by it. However, bamboo that more closely resembles hardwood is beginning to be developed, and may be an option for these people.
Oak, maple, and similar hardwoods are the most common materials used in traditional floors. They're beautiful and durable, but problems may occur over time. Wood can warp and splinter if exposed to heat and cold, or to changes in moisture.
Many people also feel that hardwood flooring is too expensive and environmentally unfriendly for use in the majority of homes. Bamboo grows up to thirty centimeters a day, while hardwoods can take years or even decades to reach a size where they can be harvested. A bamboo grove that's sustainably managed can be harvested every few years by comparison. Add into that the decrease in proper management of hardwood forests, and you have a serious concern.
Since bamboo grows quickly, and requires no fertilizers, it can be sustainably farmed. That doesn't mean that every bamboo crop is environmentally responsible, however. Some bamboo plantations, despite the advantages of this plant, are planting only one species and using fertilizers and pesticides on their crops. These bamboo sources are a lot less friendly than well managed bamboo.
You'll find these kinds of practices mostly in China and other countries where regulation is minimally enforced. Fortunately, it takes only a little research to tell you if you're getting some of the large percentage of products made from sustainably produced bamboo.
If durability is a serious concern, bamboo is the better choice over hardwood. Bamboo stands up well to daily wear, and there are a number of floors that come with a warranty. You should, however, be willing to spend the money for a quality product that will last out the years.
Where contraction and expansion are issues, you'll find that bamboo offers a favorable performance. Unlike hardwood veneer floorings, bamboo will hold up to a number of resurfacings, and there's no treatment or waxing required. To make sure you get a product that's non toxic and fully sustainable, look for flooring that uses glues that won't off gas and don't contain toxic chemicals.
If you're curious about bamboo flooring and how it holds up in comparison to hardwood, take a look online. You can do a lot of research and see all the products available from various manufacturers. Take a look and see if bamboo might be the floor for you.
Both Lara Newcomb & Mark Hutchison are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Lara Newcomb has sinced written about articles on various topics from Certified Public Accountants, Search Engine Marketing and Architecture. - Laminate flooring in Arizona is quickly becoming one of the most popular flooring types. Lara Newcomb's top article generates over 823000 views. to your Favourites.
Mark Hutchison has sinced written about articles on various topics from Install Flooring. While have always been popular in Western Australia,. Mark Hutchison's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.