Laminate floors are somewhat new in the home remodeling industry. There are many different styles and colors to choose from. Having a laminate floor in any room in your home gives that room a completely new look, and adds to the beauty of the room’s decor. When you have a laminate floor, you have a floor that is very strong and durable. However, as many advantages as there are with having laminate wood flooring, there are equally as many disadvantages.

Most laminate floor styles look like actual hardwood floors. When advertised in home improvement centers, the most common style is wood grain. Many people believe that it is a hardwood veneer laminate to a fiberboard core. This is simply not the case. These floors are paper, imprinted with a high quality photo image which is of wood. The photo can be printed to simulate, terrazzo, ceramic, terra cotta, or marble. The paper is then laminated using a high density fiber board. The board is sealed with a protective coating which is scratch resistant. The idea behind laminate wood flooring, even the cheap laminate flooring, is to have a durable and tough floor that is very inexpensive. A laminate floor that is made of a thicker material, actually has the sound of a hardwood floor when you walk on it.

The easiest and the best way to decide if you like the look, is to request a sample from the manufacturer. Many companies will give free samples of laminate floor patterns.

A good quality laminate floor is water resistant, stain resistant, and scratch resistant. A real hardwood floor is not very resistant and stains very easily. Hardwood floors are very porous, which is why they are so susceptible to water and stains. They also dent very easily, so if you are a woman who wears heels, you can’t wear them on a real hardwood floor.

Installing laminate flooring is pretty easy to do. Most home improvement centers sell laminate flooring in boxes which you can install yourself. There are also do it yourself sections in most home improvement centers where you can learn how to install a laminate floor, and will also show you the tools you need to complete the job yourself. Most of the better quality laminate floors come with a lifetime warranty, and are suitable for heavy traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, entrance ways, and main living areas.

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