Do you want to achieve a tile or classic hardwood look on your floor without the actual material? Choosing the right type of flooring, especially when on budget, can be challenging. Luckily, laminate flooring matches the looks of any style or design you want to incorporate at a fraction of the cost.
Laminate flooring is economical, durable, attractive, and an easy-to-install and maintain alternative to solid hardwood flooring. Technological advancement has seen the development of laminate flooring with sharper imaging layers, deeper embossing, and better underfoot performance. The rising popularity begs the question: what is laminate flooring?
This blog defines laminate flooring, its components, and factors to consider when choosing laminate flooring.
Laminate flooring is a composite, synthetic flooring made of several layers sealed together through the lamination process. Laminate flooring is crafted to look like wood, adding value and style to your home while withstanding wear and tear.
Laminate floorings consist of four distinctive components;
Laminate floorings are durable and easy to install, clean, and maintain. Their capability to withstand heavy foot traffic and scratches make them ideal for high-traffic areas such as foyers, hallways, dining rooms, and living rooms. However, technological advancement shows that laminate floors are no longer limited to specific rooms.
Waterproof laminate floors come in different styles and are ideal for use in the kitchen, bedroom, pets, kids, and basement. Water-resistant laminate flooring is ideal for the living room, dining room, bedroom and accent walls.
Laminate flooring planks are also installed on exterior walls (not on countertops or ceilings) in a room.
Choosing the ideal laminate flooring that combines your valuable and distinct attributes for your home is simple. However, laminate floorings have different priorities, so the end goal must be considered. Some materials prioritize scratch or water resistance, while others focus on easy and quick.
Here are factors to consider when choosing a laminate flooring material for your home;
Consider your household’s activity level (foot traffic, kids, and pets) when choosing laminate flooring. As highlighted below, pay detailed attention to the laminate flooring AC rating (criteria and abrasion class) that represent its durability.
| AC Rating | Activity Level | |
| AC1 | Light traffic: Ideal for bedrooms | |
| AC2 | Moderate traffic: Ideal for homes with medium foot traffic | |
| AC3 | Heavy traffic: Best for use in high-traffic areas such as kitchens and foyers | |
| AC4 | Light commercial traffic: Best for use in all traffic areas | |
| AC5 | Heavy commercial traffic: Ideal for use in commercial premises with heavy traffic |
Laminate flooring comes in different finishes and textures to simulate natural hardwood flooring.
Here are different types of laminate flooring textures;
What design do you want to incorporate into your project? Laminate flooring utilises printed designs on its image layers. You can highly customise the flooring at an extra cost to meet your standards and expectations, such as high embossing, bevelling, and gloss effects.
Laminate floors are affordable and versatile. Consider going for flooring that is ideal and serves its purpose. A dining room can have a classic oak appearance, while the kitchen keeps ceramic tiles.
Long are the days when laminate flooring was considered cheap. With technological advancements, laminate flooring comes with different qualities and features, such as custom designs or waterproofing, that attract extra cost. Your choice of laminate quality is the critical determinant of your spending.
Laminate floors are much cheaper per square foot than exotic wood flooring and save money with little hard-to-tell difference.
Laminate flooring is easy to maintain. The floors come with manufacturer maintenance specifications depending on the construction materials. If you regularly mop your spaces, it’s good to note that laminate flooring is sensitive to water unless you have a waterproofed floor.
DIY or off-the-shelf cleaning products that are abrasive, acidic, or oil-based can damage the surface. To protect and preserve the wear surface, opt for a product you can clean using a damp mop that does not require waxing or polishing. It’s good to note that damaged laminate flooring cannot be refinished though a wax pencil or putty can fill in a scratch. Else you need to replace the damaged board entirely.
Laminate floors last for 15 to 25 years on average. The lifespan depends on product quality, maintenance, care, and wear and tear. Go for a flooring material with a long life span that meets your needs. Products with a short lifespan need regular replacement, which gets expensive over time.
Do you love natural wood flooring aesthetic looks and want to avoid its pesky drawbacks and costs? Do you want to install low-maintenance flooring that offers stress-free living? Laminate flooring comes in various custom designs and color tones to match your floor with the room’s style and mood. The flooring is cost-effective, durable and requires low maintenance, making it a perfect choice for your next flooring project.
Do you want to transform your home or office floors with durable, economical, easy-to-maintain flooring replicating natural material? We have various unique, stylish, modern, and contemporary laminate floorings to suit your style. Request a call back today to learn more about how we can help you in your next remodeling project. We are your tried and tested remodeling partner offering quality, durable, and custom flooring solutions in Kenya.
Contact or connect with us on WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest today. Our agile team is on standby.
Writer Michael Nyaga, B2B, B2C Copywriter and SEO Strategist.
