How to Install Laminate Flooring? – If you are looking to buy cheap, yet good quality laminate flooring that is quick and easy to install, then this article may help you. We are going to explore some of the pros and cons of laminate flooring and why it is a great option.
You will also find information on laying your new laminate floor in some detail as well as care tips to maintain it in fantastic condition for years.
What is laminate flooring?
Laminate flooring is the cheapest way to get a new wooden or stone-looking floor in your home. It’s made of layers of wood and or other materials, designed to look like a real expensive hardwood. It’s very easy to install yourself, which makes it very cheap when compared to other kinds of flooring on the market today.
It does also come with some downsides as we will discuss below. However, if you are looking to get a cheap flooring solution that is still good enough quality and looks great, then maybe laminate flooring is the right choice for you.
Laminate flooring advantages:
It’s very easy to install yourself. If you are handy and like DIY projects, then this is a great option for you. It’s cheap, yet high enough quality to look like real wood. It will not only look great in your home but it will also be durable for years and years.
Laminate flooring disadvantages:
It is not real wood. It’s made of layers and layers of wood, paper, and resin. Therefore it will wear down very quickly, especially if you have pets or kids in the house. [Use caution around high traffic areas] Fortunately this can be taken care of with a little maintenance, so we will discuss that below in more detail.
Laminate flooring needs to be maintained regularly as well as repaired. In order to keep the flooring looking great and like new for as long as possible, it is a good idea to maintain it on a regular basis. The best way to do this is with a laminate floor cleaner, which will remove dirt and grime from the top of the floor.
If done every month, this should be enough to maintain your laminate floor beautifully every single year. Also, it’s also a good idea to repair any damage that appears before it gets out of hand. [Like pet scratches]
What are the most popular laminate flooring brands?
There are many different brands of laminate flooring on the market today. Some of the best-selling and highest-quality laminate flooring are Ronseal, Quick-Step, and Parwaxx. However, there are a lot more available depending on your location and preferences.
Quick-Step Flooring: (3 Layers)
This is a popular laminate flooring brand in Britain. The floors are very easy to install and come with a 3-year warranty on all their laminate flooring products. They offer an unbeatable 15 years guarantee on wear, something that no other flooring manufacturers can match.
This speaks for itself about how well-made Quick-Step laminate flooring is. Another great advantage is that Quick-Step laminate flooring is available in a huge range of colors and patterns, making it the ultimate choice when installing a new laminate floor.
Parwaxx (ABA): (2 Layers)
This is an American-based company that sells high-quality laminate flooring in 3 different styles; Designer, Kitchen, and Beach House. The largest selection of colors and patterns available with this brand makes it again the best-selling brand of laminate flooring in America.
It also comes with a 25-year warranty, which is cheaper than Quick-Step. In fact, this brand is actually 20% cheaper than Quick-Step and is every bit as good. It’s unfortunate that it is not so well known in Europe as it really is the best quality and cheapest laminate flooring on the market today.
Ronseal: (3 Layers)
Ronseal sells laminate flooring with a 7-year warranty, making it one of the cheapest on today’s market to buy. It might be cheap, but it’s also the highest quality on the market. The laminate flooring comes in 4 different styles. Designer, Kitchen, and Beachhouse. All of these are available in a huge range of colors to suit your home and taste.
What is laminate flooring made of?
In order to understand what type of flooring you are buying, it is important to understand what materials make up these floors. Laminate flooring is made of 3 different layers; the top layer, the middle layer, and the bottom layer. The materials used to make these layers are different depending on the type of flooring you buy.
For example, a laminate floor with a quick-step surface will have a 6-month warranty while one with Parwaxx will have a 25-year warranty. Why would Parwaxx offer such a long warranty? The answer is simple, it’s because they use 2 layers instead of 3 for this flooring. So, what materials are used in the top and bottom layers to achieve the amazing 25-year warranty?
Parwaxx uses paper-backed vinyl, with a laminate layer that’s made of HDF (High-Density Fiberboard). This type of flooring is then coated with tough, scratch-proof material. This layer is also 100% waterproof.
Quick-Step on the other hand uses paper-backed vinyl laminate instead of the paper-backed vinyl that Parwaxx uses. It also has a laminate layer made of HDF, and it is coated with a scratch-proof clear film. This film can withstand millions of scratches.
Laminate Floor Care: What to do to care for your laminate floor?
Ok, it’s time to get rid of the myths and learn how to care for your laminate floor right in the next sections. Let’s start by defining what maintenance is, what should you do regularly, and what should you never do on your laminate floors.
Maintenance is to keep something in proper working order and keep it clean and in good condition. It’s the best way to keep your laminate floor looking great for years! If you live in a warm climate, then you will have to do maintenance twice a year.
However, if you live in a colder area and have pets or kids, then maintenance should be done weekly or monthly (depending on how often they walk on the floor).
How to do maintenance on laminate floors :
The best way to maintain laminate floors is by cleaning them with a specially designed floor cleaner. It will clean your floor as well as repair small scratches and dents on the surface.
This way your floor will look good for a long time. The cleaner also contains a UV protectant that helps your laminate floor from becoming yellow or faded.
Most of the cleaners are made specifically for laminate so that you don’t need to worry about damaging your beautiful new floors. It’s a good idea to do regular maintenance so that you can avoid expensive costly repairs later on. Your floor will thank you for it.
How to clean laminate floors:
Cleaning laminate floors is much easier than cleaning other types of flooring, such as wooden or concrete. Not only that, but it’s also cheaper than using cleaners for other floors.
However, the laminate floor may be damaged if it’s not cleaned properly and with the right products. Let’s see how to clean your floors:
Firstly, you need to vacuum your floor regularly to remove any dirt or dust that is on top of the laminate. As soon as you finish vacuuming, you can start cleaning the floor with a special laminate cleaner.
Be sure not to use any cleaning product that may scratch or damage the floor. Read directions on the label carefully and only use these products if they are safe for your laminate floors.
If you have laminate flooring in your home, you should also be sure to clean your furniture. If your furniture is made of wood, then it’s best to use a soft cloth or a regular cleaning product. However, if it’s made of plastic then it’s best to use a special product designed for this type of flooring.
What should I never do?
It’s important to remember that most laminate floors are very different from tile or other types of flooring. If you try to clean it or maintain it without using the right products then you risk damaging your floors. So, make sure that you read the instructions on the bottles of floor cleaning products carefully before you use them.
Here are a few things you should never do:
Never use oil-based cleaners or heavy-duty detergents: These types of products usually strip the protective layer on your floors leaving them vulnerable to scratches and dents.
Always read the labels carefully to find out if your floor is laminate, vinyl, or hardwood floor. Then buy something specifically designed for laminate floors.
These types of products usually strip the protective layer on your floors leaving them vulnerable to scratches and dents. Always read the labels carefully to find out if your floor is laminate, vinyl, or hardwood floor.
Then buy something specifically designed for laminate floors. Never use a steam checker: If you have a steam cleaning device, make sure that you never use it on your laminate floors. Steam cleaners may actually damage your floor and make it look old in just a few months.
If you have a steam cleaning device, make sure that you never use it on your laminate floors. Steam cleaners may actually damage your floor and make it look old in just a few months. Never put anything heavy on your laminate floor:
Make sure that you only put things that don’t weigh much on your laminate floors. That way, the floor can hold up whenever something heavy is placed on it. It is also a good idea to avoid putting furniture, large items, and other heavy items on the floor. It’s always a good idea to use a protective mat or place something heavy on top of it.
Make sure that you only put things that don’t weigh much on your laminate floors. That way, the floor can hold up whenever something heavy is placed on it. It is also a good idea to avoid putting furniture, large items, and other heavy items on the floor. It’s always a good idea to use a protective mat or place something heavy on top of it. ***
