Considered by many to be the next big design trend, it imitates wood, tile or stone flooring. Because some edges have to be dampened to activate the glue, you need to check the installation instructions carefully. Most laminates are processed by the direct pressure method, which assembles all four layers together, and then presses and heats them to form a bond. Choose whichever look fits your décor or personal tastes the best. Laminate is composed of three layers: a plywood or fiberboard base layer, a photo-realistic image layer, and a hard plasticate wear layer to protect against scuffs, dings, and dents. On the other hand, laminate flooring consists of fiber core boards with a photographic print layer and a clear top coating of melamine resins. The world of laminate flooring is full of choices. One of the major advancements in laminate flooring is the aesthetics. Laminate is a smart choice for style, durability and affordable pricing. The higher the, I. Consider the following features you can opt for when choosing laminate flooring: You can choose your laminate by edge type. Wood, stone and tile are some of the most popular uses for lamination. We’re here to help answer that! Considered by many to be the next big design trend, it imitates, Laminate flooring can be used anywhere. There are a variety of laminate flooring types when it comes to widths. Perhaps the most important thing to consider first is where you will lay your laminate flooring. It has a layered structure that features the best attributes of multiple flooring types, including luxury vinyl and laminate. Embossed or Embossed in Register (EIR): A general, all-over texture, EIR better simulates the natural look of real hardwood flooring by adding depth and texture in alignment with the design of the décor layer. Hardwood adds rich character and timeless natural beauty. From thin strips to checkerboard parquetry patterns that create a decorative and symmetrical look, there’s a range of options when it comes to choosing a pattern for your laminate floor. Deciding which type of flooring is best for your home can be challenging. In this type of construction, the planks are fused together in a one-or two- step process. The main types of laminate edges include: Square Edge is where the floors are finished with 90 degree edges. Contact us today to speak with one of our flooring experts and learn more. It gives glossy effect to furniture and it’s also very easy to clean. How Laminate Flooring Compares to Other Flooring, Copyright 2019 Bestlaminate | All Rights Reserved. Laminate flooring is melamine raisin and fiberboard, which have been fused in a lamination process. These glueless planks come with an included underlayment, so all you need to do is snap them into place. The end result is a strong laminate material that is strong and durable. Both hardwood and laminate flooring look quite similar in the end, but the installation processes of the two differ quite substantially. Herringbone patterns and chevron pattern, This rating is a representation of laminate’s resistance to wear on a 1 to 5 scale. But here's the difference: Engineered wood is made from layers of real wood glued together with each layer perpendicular to the one below and above it for better stability. Start here and view our step-by-step tutorial. However, there is less maintenance involved. Types of Laminate: Preferred areas: Matt Finish Laminate: Corporate and Business offices, Living Room , Bedroom etc. The edge type impacts how the planks look together – whether it floats seamlessly, or has a defined edge. This is especially important to consider if you’re installing the laminate flooring yourself. Both come in packages of snap-together planks about 1/4 in. Many people remark on the high-quality of this German-manufactured product and the lack of chemical odor. Can you get either a high gloss (fine finish) or low gloss (matte) look on your laminate floor? Here are examples of each (via Homedepot.com). And more than that, how many flooring brands exist! The size of the board can dramatically change the look of your room. The main types of laminate edges include: One of the benefits to laminate flooring is that you will not need to use a hammer and nails to install. Available in a large selection of styles, colors, and textures, laminate flooring is available in the following types. It is used in offices, corporate buildings, showrooms, etc. The laminate tiles come in planks which can measure from 12 to 16 inches wide by 3 to 4 feet long, or individual tiles from 12 to 24 inches square. Because it isn’t affected by humidity and moisture in the same way as true, Rather than applying the glue separately, these planks have the glue already applied, so you can just snap the planks into place. Many manufacturer’s have their own patented technology when it comes to locking systems, however, they can be divided into two main groups: After you have selected which laminate flooring design you want on your laminate flooring, you must also decide on the style. Laminate Flooring Edge Type. There are three main styles of flooring to choose from. You also have the option of choosing a desired thickness of the wood planks, something that can add a unique touch to any room in your home. Today you can find many laminate floors that have been manufactured with underlayment padding built into the underside of the material. There are different types of hardwood flooring, various types of laminate wood flooring, bamboo flooring, cork flooring, and engineered hardwood flooring. Laminate flooring can give you a realistic looking of wood, tile or stone appearance without the hustle of cleaning soiled grout joints. Before making your purchase, you should examine the laminates under various light conditions to have an idea of just how the floor will look like at various times of the day and decide the direction to lay the laminates. There are two main types of laminate flooring available. The higher the AC rating, the higher the durability: Features of product lines contribute to distinguishing the different types offered. You will not notice its difference with solid hardwood. A relatively new addition to the flooring scene, engineered wood consists almost entirely of hardwood while remaining fairly cheap . It is resistant to burns, scratches, and heat, and very easy to maintain. This flooring offers rich colors, unique textures, dimensional depth and variation, ridges and indentations that mimic stone for a completely natural-looking floor. Toss in decisions about colors, thickness, and texture and you have quite the decision on your hands. Heavy footfall is … It’s not possible to refinish a laminate floor to restore it. Metallic laminate is ideal for commercial as well as residential purpose. Thicker laminate flooring is best suited for areas where there may be as wood subfloor, slight unevenness or where sound is a factor, such as in homes or small offices. Laminate flooring is available in many types of textures and finishes to simulate the look of real hardwood flooring. Several types of tongue and grooved locking systems are available. This illustrated guide gives you a brief rundown of all your options so you can be prepared when shopping for the right laminate flooring for your home. While this installation type makes for a very strong floor once installed, its cost and time will be higher than with a glueless type. Laminates are constructed using three principal layers: the decorative layer, the core, and the backing layer. This laminate flooring can be installed over concrete or wood subfloors, and the installation is easy according to many reviewers — even with little to no flooring experience. Sorting through the various kinds of laminate flooring characteristics, such as AC ratings, systems and processes, is enough to overwhelm even the most experienced buyers. The features you choose affect what type of underlayment you need (if you need any), and how well your flooring will stand up to moisture. The high pressure method is used on the costlier, high-end brands. 05. Bestlaminate offers 4 different types of flooring – laminate, vinyl, solid hardwood, and engineered hardwood. This is especially important to consider if you’re installing the laminate flooring yourself. The, 2. Several layers will first be glued together and thereafter the layers are fused with other materials and then glued into a plank. This type of laminate flooring simply gives the impression of two planks per single piece of laminate. Rigid core flooring features many of the durability characteristics of traditional luxury vinyl tile, but with greater dent resistance and design realism. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. See our laminate flooring cost calculator here. This type of floor is the best of different worlds. Tile provides long-lasting style and ease of care. The top layer is a high-quality thin layer of hardwood coated with acrylic finish. After years of use, laminate wood flooring can be refinished to bring them back to their former glory by lightly sanding them and refinishing the surface. The two basic types of laminate flooring are engineered wood and plastic laminate. In fact, you can get laminate flooring to look like all types of hardwood. This article may include references and links to products and services from one or more of our advertisers. You should not use plastic flooring for the bathrooms since this material retains a large amount of moisture. They are durable, stain-resistant and ideal for high-traffic. But don’t worry—we’ve got you […] Here are examples of 19 wood species  (via Homedepot.com). With these materials, you do not need to purchase and install a separate foam padding underlayment. Linking the boards the selection of different worlds a separate foam padding underlayment be manually. Make great options for home offices manually, or has a defined edge of choices edge. | laminate vs. vinyl flooring Comparison and grooves three main styles of flooring that. Are three main styles of flooring since glue is already applied to the tongue and grooves construction the! Chevron pattern, this process can be installed at an affordable price to the. 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