LAMINATE FLOORING
Laminate flooring is constructed much like engineered wood, with a thin veneer over layers of plywood or compressed fibre. However, the top layer is not wood but a photograph under a clear thick polymer coating. That means laminate can look like wood, stone, tile, or just about any other material. Laminate flooring is much less expensive than hardwood, but it doesn’t fall short on quality and appearance. Due to resin coating it is strong, scratch-resistant and highly durable. It’s also resistant to fading from sunlight. If you have small children and pets, or you need flooring for an area that involves high traffic, laminate is the perfect choice. If anyone in your family suffers from bad allergies, laminate flooring is an excellent choice since there are no places for dust and other particles to become trapped. The underlayment provides a moisture barrier that not only protects the floor from damage, but also prevents mould from forming.
Laminate boards are designed to interlock, making them very easy to work with. They can be installed on nearly any type of subfloor, over most existing floors. Lots of laminates are suitable for use with underfloor heating, but it is advisable to check before installing the system.
When choosing laminate flooring, you need to consider wear ratings along with price and style. In laminate flooring, a wear rating is an indicator of how well the floor will stand up to daily wear and tear. There are five AC ratings for laminate floors, ranging from AC1 for low-traffic areas to AC6, meant for commercial use. Manufacturer’s warranties start at 10 to 15 years, and many go as high as 25 or 30 years for higher wear ratings.