Why choose laminate
Offering authentic textures and the latest visuals, laminate floors give homeowners and builders the opportunity to complete and update homes with outstanding, affordable solutions. Laminate presents incredibly realistic wood and stone floors with reinforced finishes that are perfect for active homes with kids and pets. The enhanced moisture resistance also makes laminate flooring a better fit for areas in the home like kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and mudrooms.
Types of laminate
Explore different laminate finishes, thicknesses, and warranties when selecting between different laminate types. Each respective laminate product will offer enhanced benefits, which will make some varieties better suited for high-traffic areas more than others. If you are trying to match an entire open floor plan with the same product, look for a laminate product that’s either waterproof or with a strong stain resistance warranty. Whatever genuine hardwood finish you prefer such as smooth, wire brushed, and hand scraped, you can find a laminate type that emulates the real surface to perfection.
Laminate Cleaning Tips
Sweeping, dust-mopping, and vacuuming is the best way to care for your laminate floors. Regular sweeping with a soft bristle broom, dust-mopping, or vacuuming as frequently as possible will help minimize dirt, dust, and debris build-up before they become abrasive particles. This ensures that your floors will experience fewer scratches over time. Disengage any beater bars on your vacuum model before using on your laminate floors.
With greater moisture resistance than actual wood, you will most likely be able to wet-mop or use a Swiffer WetJet system on your laminate for an efficient deep clean. Check with your laminate manufacturer beforehand to maintain your product warranties and match the proper laminate-specific cleaning products to your floor. If your laminate floors are warranted for mopping, use as little water as possible and ensure the floors dry in a timely manner.
When spills occur on your laminate, you can easily prevent stains on the surface. First, gently lift any solid material with a spoon and paper towels. Then, absorb as much of the liquid spill as you can with additional paper towels. Consult your laminate manufacturer’s guidelines to find a gentle laminate-specific cleaner to treat the area. Clean the spot with your cleaner and new paper towels or a dry white cloth. That's all it takes!
Always use mats by entranceways to help remove damaging particles from reaching your laminate floors. Have residents and guests take off footwear by the door, especially during inclement weather. Use area rugs throughout the home as another layer of protection for laminate floors against spills, dents, and scuffs. With pets in the home, make sure to trim nails and claws to avoid scratching the surface. Also, brush your pets regularly to reduce dander on your floors.
Remove all furniture, furnishings, electronics, and wall hangings from the rooms receiving new laminate, as well as the closets. Since laminate products often offer floating installation over existing flooring, the current floors may not need to be removed and disposed of! Depending on the new floor height, especially if laminate is installed as a floating floor, you may need to take doors down and shave the bottoms to ensure full range of motion. Imperfections in the subfloor may need to be repaired before installation. Once your subfloor is assessed by the installation crew, you are ready for new laminate installation.
On laminate installation day, you will need to be on hand to answer questions that arise for your crew during the process. Specify an area for the installation crew to keep saws and other dangerous tools, as well as saw laminate pieces as needed. Keep all children and pets away from the installer’s work area and rooms receiving new flooring. With a floating floor, the overall installation time is greatly reduced! This is the time to ask your installation crew any questions about your new floor.
Once your new laminate flooring is down, your installation crew will advise you on how long you need to wait before using the room. Many floating floors are ready to receive light foot traffic immediately following installation! Once you have waited for the specified amount of time, always return furniture by either lifting it or using proper moving equipment with rollers. We also recommend using felt pads under heavy furniture legs to reduce impact on the floor.
Laminate inspiration
Great ideas inspire even more great ideas. When you look through our laminate inspiration gallery,
make note of your favorite visuals, styles, and design solutions, then bring them to our experts.
