Are you wondering if laminate flooring is right for you? I have some experience with this type of flooring and can outline some of the pros and cons to help you make a more informed decision. The type I have used is the type that snaps together.
I have laminate flooring throughout my house and have installed it in my rental property. I have also helped a few friends and family members install this flooring in their homes. I have to say that in my experience it is the best bang for your buck if you don't like carpet and don't want to go to the expense of installing natural wood floor or tile. If you are at all handy and can do things for yourself you can install this yourself and save yourself the labor costs of hiring a contractor to do the work for you. The instructions are simple to follow and for the cost of a $30 kit and with a miter saw and maybe a jig saw if you have some outside corners to work around you will have all the tools you need to do the work (always use proper safety gear and follow manufacturer's instructions). Many home improvement stores offer free workshops on how to install laminate flooring.
Being frugal, I opted to purchase my flooring at a local hardware clearinghouse and paid approximately $1 per square foot for the flooring for my rental property. It actually is prettier than what I installed in the house I live in. I paid approximately $2.49 per square foot for the flooring in my house 5 years ago but prices vary according to brand, color and where you live. Laminate floors are wildly popular now and are a really cost effective alternative to carpeting and are much healthier for people who suffer from allergies. There are many colors and textures available that range from a wood flooring look to slate to ceramic tile styles.
Besides price and beauty, laminate floors have the advantage of not trapping allergens the way carpet does. However, they do need to be swept daily and/or dustmopped because you would not believe how much dust and dirt accumulate on the floor.
I have found that even though they are hard to scratch occasionally they will scratch or chip and I usually am able to cover this with (of all things) either a matching crayon or marker rubbed into the spot then rubbed over with a cloth to remove the excess. Having a child in the house helps - there is always a variety of crayons and markers to match anything and everything!
Another disadvantage is that it is hard to keep them from looking dull. I have heard some people say that damp mopping with a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar to 2 gallons of water will do the trick. I will occasionally shine my floors with a floor shine product from Holland House found at WalMart. The shine lasts until the floor is walked on a few times.
Although I love my laminate floors, I am very clumsy and have caused some damage to mine - I turned a bucket of water over while mopping (twice in one night I might add and by falling flat on my back just added insult to injury) and once that water is out of the bucket there is no getting it back in and the damage is done. You can see the floor blister almost before your eyes. You either have to live with it or replace the damaged parts, which involves cutting out the damaged pieces and gluing in replacement pieces - keep in mind this floor was originally snapped together. Also you might not want to put this floor in bathrooms or laundry rooms unless you are prepared to immediately wipe up water splashes. I will be replacing the floor in my laundry room with ceramic tile - hindsight is 20/20. Also if you have a pet that is...well, not so well trained...laminate floor does not stand up well to pet accidents. Not only will pet urine blister the laminate surface but the smell saturates the laminate flooring.
If you are preparing your house to sell and are going to replace the flooring I would definitely recommend using laminate flooring. Not only is it inexpensive and easy to install, the result is eye-pleasing and sure to attract buyers and it looks like a million bucks for the money you will spend. Just be sure to finish out the edges with trim. A note here...I have never purchased the expensive trim they sell with the flooring. We have always purchased just regular unfinished baseboard or other trim and stained it to match the floor or wall to cover the gaps between floor and wall. If you are going from laminate to a tile surface you may need to purchase the trim piece if there is no other alternative available.
I hope reading about my experience with laminate flooring has given you some things to consider in deciding if laminate flooring is right for you.
Gail Enochs, a working wife and mother, is a home-improvement addict and the creator of http://www.advertiseyourhouse.org
My Experience with Laminate Flooring
Beautiful, Elegant Marble
The material you choose for the flooring in your home will have a great effect on the looks of your home. Ironically, it will also reflect upon your taste and personality. An elegant material such as marble flooring will reflect very favorably upon the homeowner who chooses it. Marble flooring is always in elegant style, everywhere.
What exactly is marble? Metamorphic rock is a rock that has metamorphed from limestone or dolostone and has a high concentration of calcium. This metamorphic rock is more commonly known as marble. Marble has been used since antiquity for the beautiful works of art that we still admire today. These sculptures can be viewed in museums around the world, including Turkey, Spain and Italy. The Romans and Greeks extensively used marble both for their artistic and architectural creations along with mosaic tiles and mosaic tables.
Today's marble comes from the same regions that used it over the years, such as Italy and Spain, but it is also now being imported from China. Italy remains one of the biggest exporters of marble and they have developed an industry based on their vast experience in quality, design and execution.
Anyone who sees a marble floor will automatically think of a luxurious mansion where the expression of lavish beauty is paramount. To get the full benefit of a marble floor, it should not be covered by rugs or any other covering.
Marble should be allowed to let its own beauty stand out. This is the reason you will see marble used in warm climates where rugs are not necessary, or in areas where you would not normally put a rug, such as the entrance, a bath or a kitchen.
Unexpectedly, marble can stain easily, and it therefore has to be cared for properly. Most of the time, it will have to be cleaned on a daily basis with a specialized product that will allow it to shine while removing any stains. For a stunning effect, there are specialized marble cleaning machines that make the floor positively glow. These machines can be rented, or a professional can be hired to clean the marble periodically.
If you are going to make the large investment in a marble floor, make sure you do all of your research so that you buy the best marble for the price. In addition to the cost of the marble, you will have a large shipping bill because of the weight of marble.
Despite its cost, marble flooring is one of the most beautiful materials you can use in your home, and if you want to make a dramatic statement in your decorating, one that cannot be beat.
Adam Peters is a freelance writer for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com Read additional info on tile ideas or mosaic tables
