Since 1982, when laminate floors debuted in the U. S. this particular type of flooring has seen a growth of about 20% per year in sales, most of this at the expense of flooring types that were greatly preferred in the past. In other words, laminate flooring is one of the fastest growing flooring industries in the U. S. Part of the appeal of laminate floors lies in the beauty of these floors but also in the durability and ease of care.
Pergo was the first company to bring this particular type of flooring into the U. S. flooring market. They also managed to hold the vast majority of the market share when it came to laminate floors for many years. As the popularity of this flooring option grew other companies began testing the waters so to speak when it comes to laminates. Today there are literally hundreds of brands from which to choose your laminate flooring. One thing to remember however is that not all brands are created equal. With so many choices, how do you choose the flooring that will best suit your needs?
Laminate floors are generally constructed using one or two methods of manufacturing: Direct Pressure Laminate and High Pressure Laminate. Direct pressure laminate is made of three layers while high-pressure laminate is made of five. From this alone it is probably fairly easy to understand that the High Pressure Laminate flooring is a superior product. This makes the flooring stronger and more dent resistant, which in turn makes the flooring more stable and a better value. The problem is that there is a higher price attached to this value. However, I find the value of an extra five or ten years of use of my floors is worth a little extra on the up front costs. The vast majority of laminate floors sold for household use in the U. S. are DPL however and stand up well to the rigors of daily living.
The cores of laminate flooring generally ranges in thickness from about 6mm to 12mm. Thicker cores are typically representative of a superior product stability wise unless you are comparing a floor that is DPL to one that is HPL as the high density laminate has a much thinner core that is more durable. Good laminate flooring manufacturers will use a high-density fiberboard that has been treated with chemicals designed to repel water as the core material. This offers not only stability but also water resistance.
Joint integrity is another factor to consider and weigh particularly if you are planning to place heavy furniture or other items on your laminate flooring. These floors are designed to handle normal wear and tear but not the added pressure that goes along with extra heavy furniture. If this is your intention you might be interested in obtaining an aluminum locking system for added strength. You should also treat the joints of your floors with water repelling chemicals so that moisture won't penetrate the sub flooring.
You will find that most decent laminate warranties cover the following conditions in flooring: fading, wear and tear, staining, and denting. I recommend trying to find a laminate floor that also offers some sort of warranty for water damage as well. Just remember that flooding will not be covered in the warranty. For coverage from flood damage you should check with your insurance company. You should also take note of the time limits on different aspects of the warranty on your flooring. You may have a 25-year warranty for some damage and one that last only 10 or 15 years for other types of damage.
You could also check to see if the flooring you are considering carries the NALFA endorsement. In order to get this endorsement flooring has to go through rigorous testing and meet very exacting standards. If your flooring has this it is good quality flooring and the official seal of approval will most likely be displayed proudly on the packaging. You can go to the NALFA website for an extensive list of floorings that carry their approval.
Laminate flooring can be found in many grains, stains, and designs. You can even find these types of floors with beveled edges and textured surfaces that lend a more authentic look and feel to your floors. You can also find them in widths of 2" to 12", which offers a vast array of design options. These floors will complement most decors and can be used in most rooms within your home.
If you're looking for tips on how to install laminated floors, how to clean bamboo floors or how to clean hardwood floors then you're looking for RefinishingHardwood.
A Laminate Flooring Review - Are They Perfect For Your Home
Do-It-Yourself Laminate Flooring - An Affordable and Easy Way to Update a Room
If you are thinking about investing in do-it-yourself laminate flooring then you should learn a little bit about this home improvement product. First you need to know where laminate flooring can be installed. Laminate flooring has been constructed to resist water and moisture. This means that you can install it in bathrooms and kitchens, as long as you take a few precautions to protect the flooring from excessive water exposure. To determine what diy laminate flooring product to buy for your home you need to look at its AC rating. If you plan on installing your laminate flooring in a bedroom or den then an AC rating of AC1 or 2 is fine. However, if you will be installing your laminate flooring in a high traffic area like a living room or entry way, then you will want to look for a laminate flooring product with an AC rating of AC2 or AC3.
If you have decided to install a laminate floor then using a do-it-yourself laminate flooring kit is a great option. These kits will generally include the underlayment, the floor planks and the instructions. You should know that in addition to your diy laminate flooring kit you will also need to purchase matching floor boards, grate covers and transition strips. After you have all of these items you will be ready to install your floor.
Do-it-yourself laminate floors offer home owners an easy installation process. First you will need to prep your floor by removing the old floor covering, removing nails and staples, and making sure that the floor is dry and clean. Next you will need to make sure that your floor is level. You may need to sand down high spots of add sub floor to repair damaged areas of your sub floor. Next you will install the vapor trapping film and underlayment. DonÕt overlap the edges of the underlayment. Instead simply meet the edges of the underlayment and tape it together. Next you can snap together your laminate flooring and finish it by installing the base boards, grate covers and transition strips.
Is laminate floors right for you? Find out more at LaminateFloorsCheap.com - your source for cheap laminate floors, do it yourself floor installation information and professional flooring advice. For more home decor and remodeling options visit the home and garden directory.
Pergo Laminate Flooring - Learn How To Do A DIY Pergo Flooring Installation
Pergo Laminate Flooring is one of the giants in the laminate hardwood flooring industry. The floors are designed for home remodeling DIY enthusiasts, so questions related to installing laminate flooring abound. Pergo Laminate Flooring, Harmonics Laminate Flooring, Armstrong Laminate Flooring and similar products are pounced upon by gleeful, hand-rubbing first-time home remodelers. An average-sized floor can be ready to use and admire within a day - just imagine all the compliments from somewhat green-around-the-gills neighbors...
The days of battling to fit messy, sticky, glued laminate flooring are long gone thanks to ranges such as Pergo glueless laminate flooring planks. The unique tongue and groove designs of Pergo floors simply click together for a perfect finish. This is one of the most gratifying do it yourself jobs to tackle, as progress is measurable and the end result quite spectacular.
Is Installing Pergo Flooring Over Existing Floors Advisable?
The beauty of Pergo Laminate Flooring is that it can be laid directly over ceramic, vinyl, tiles or real wood floors, saving you the trouble of ripping out an old floor first. Make sure that the floor is clean, smooth and carefully sand down any bumps or peaked joints. Carpeting needs to be taken out however. It is always recommended to do fittings of cabinets or cupboards first, before tackling your flooring project. Real hardwood installed over a concrete sub-floor also needs to be removed before a Pergo Laminate Flooring installation.
Do I Need Expansion Room Around The Perimeter Of My Pergo Flooring Installation?
Pergo Laminate Flooring is a floating floor product, meaning that it isn't permanently fixed to the sub-floor area. These ranges expand and contract due to changes in humidity and temperature. It is therefore vital to leave a 1/4" expansion space between the flooring planks and the adjacent walls or cupboards. If you don't do this, you will have unsightly buckling floors. The Pergo floor moldings are used to hide these spaces after installation and to ensure a professional finish. Use spacers to keep your distances even. If you are tackling a very large floor area, the expansion space needs to be increased.
Does Pergo Laminate Flooring Also Have A Hollow Sound When Used?
The sound depends largely on the sub-floor layer and the thickness of the laminate flooring installation. One way to get around this is to install a sound underlayment and resin polyethylene film underneath your Pergo Laminate Flooring planks. This is a highly effective technique to use if you want to dampen the sound. This protective layer also acts as a moisture barrier, lengthening the life of the flooring. Take a look at Pergo SilentStep foam or Soundbloc foam and Moisturbloc vapor barrier. By adding these a cushioning layer, you also ensure a more comfortable, soft floor underfoot. If the sub-floor is wood, a vapor barrier isn't introduced before installing Pergo Laminate Flooring.
Can I Install Pergo Laminate Flooring Immediately After My Purchase?
To be on the safe side, acclimate your Pergo floor planks by leaving the cartons in the room where they will be installed, for a period of 49 to 96 hours. This precaution will give you a floor that remains clicked into place, rather than becoming an ugly buckling disaster area.
Can I Use Pergo Laminate Flooring In A Bathroom Or Kitchen?
Pergo Laminate Flooring's surface is highly water resistant, so the planks can be used in high humidity areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. In these areas however, the expansion spaces need to be sealed with Pergo Sealant or a similar mildew-resistant silicone product before installing the trim or molding. The same should be done where the planks were cut to make room for cupboards or a dishwasher. Some experts also recommend sealing the joints by using glue. Check with your supplier about the most satisfactory installation process. In spite of its water resistance, Pergo Laminate Flooring are not made to handle standing water.
Can I Use Pergo Laminate Flooring On Stairs?
Pergo flooring is perfect for stairs. Steps are finished with Pergo Stair Nosing. The nosing is adhered with a quality construction adhesive and finishing screws. A stair application is the only time that the floating floor concept of Pergo is replaced with a glued end product.
How Do I Ensure A Professional Finish When Installing Pergo Laminate Flooring?
A large range of color-coordinated transition moldings are available to give an elegant and stylish finish to your flooring project. T-Moldings are used in doorways, while end moldings are used along sliding doors and around tubs and basins. If you need to go from a raised Pergo flooring area to a lower hard surface such as vinyl, you would choose a hard surface reducer.
Oops! I Have A Nick In My Pergo Laminate Flooring! What Now?
No problem. The folks at Pergo realized that this is an inevitable mishap in a bustling household. They therefore made sure that you have access to Pergo Finishing Putty. Simply neaten the edges of the chipped area with a small knife, make sure the area is clean, and fill the hole with putty. A spatula gives a neat finish and the excess is simply wiped away with a clean cloth. Plank replacements are also possible if a more major repair is needed.
With a gleaming Pergo Presto or Pergo American Cottage floor installation, your home will be transformed into a wrinkle-less, stylish lady. Pergo Laminate Flooring has been performing plastic surgery on properties for years. It's about time to let that tattered carpet go...
Click here to download your free copy of The Ultimate Laminate Flooring Buyer's Guide. Get more free Laminate Flooring ebooks at Home-Improvement-Time.com, where you can also read the TrafficMaster Allure Flooring and other articles. Copyright of this article: 2007 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left intact.
