What You Need To Know About Laminate Wood Flooring

By Author: Kathy Carbone
Total Articles: 18
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Wood, as a material, lends style to most objects where it’s used. For instance, it gives your floor a natural, traditional look. You can use hardwood flooring, or laminate wood flooring.

What is Laminate Wood Flooring? Laminate wood flooring gets its name from the four layers of materials bonded together to form it; think of it as something similar to your laminated ID cards. The bottommost part of this flooring is a moisture resistant layer, covered with high density fiberboard (HDF). The HDF, in turn, is topped by a high resolution image of wood flooring. Finally, a protective coating made of a special resin is applied over this image.

Types of Laminate Wood Flooring. Laminate wood flooring planks are either glued together or snapped together. Planks snapped together are less expensive and easier to install, though slightly less durable. On the other hand, laminate wood planks that are glued together are sturdier and moisture resistant.

Advantages of Laminate Wood Flooring. Compared to natural wood, laminates are less expensive; the price of real wood flooring can be twice the price of laminate wood ...
... flooring. You get the elegance of wood flooring minus the cost. Because it’s easier to install than real wood, laminate flooring is ideal for people who prefer to install floors on their own.

The four layers that comprise laminate wood flooring make it less prone to damage. Because it’s not made of real wood, it’s less likely to accumulate moisture and rot—especially in warm and humid areas like Tampa, Florida. Additionally, it’s safe from termite infestation and highly resistant to scratches and fading. It’s also very versatile; you can install it in any room, over other construction materials like concrete, and even below ground.

How to Maintain Laminate Wood Flooring. There’s no need to use wax to polish laminate wood flooring; just use a mop or a damp cloth to wipe the surface clean. Do not use strong detergents which may damage its protective coating. If the floor becomes dirty, clean it up as soon as possible; for stubborn stains like oil and paint, use nail polish remover or acetone carefully.

These are some of the things you need to know about the laminate wood flooring Tampa offers. With this flooring, you can achieve a natural look for your home at half the price of natural wood flooring. You can install this with much less difficulty and expect it to last for years to come. You can get more information on laminate flooring from homerenovations.about.com/od/floors/a/Artlamfloor.htm