Home floors can be a decorative statement to your house. Aside from the painted walls and putting in decorative ornaments to make your home as stylish as you want it to be, floors can be beautified also to achieve finesse and authenticity for your interiors. The peculiarity of floors can speak volumes with your taste, and it’s likely to make your homes better-looking beyond what you could imagine.
Tiled and cemented floors are the usual home floors in Australia. However, most people nowadays opt for something cozy while still bringing out a luxurious look everywhere. Thus, it so happened that Australians would look for something wooden to incorporate into their homes in achieving comfortability and a natural-looking home for days. Nevertheless, as stylish as they could get, wooden floors can be tough because of their maintenance —- it can rot, break easily, and even be dangerous for your children (talk about splinters).
In line with this, other people now look for alternatives where they could have wooden floors that are just great but don’t have to be high maintenance. As real wooden floors can be corrosive, laminated floors are now available in the market all over the world. With durable laminate flooring, homeowners can effortlessly enjoy a stylish and practical flooring option for their homes.
But, what are they?
Overview on Laminated Floors
A laminate floor is made from laminated melamine resin and fiberboard material to imitate the appearance of real wood. Laminated floors are constructed from thin, pressed wood board with a repeating printed image of wood fused onto a fiberboard core. The laminate is a multi-layer synthetic wooden product that does not absorb water, prevents corrosion, and is smooth as well. Hence, it is a good alternative to wooden floors as they have imprinted wood images to achieve a real wood-looking flooring. This guide simplifies installing herringbone laminate flooring in your home.
One key aspect that can enhance the longevity and performance of laminate flooring is the use of vented base cove. This feature plays a vital role in protecting the edges of the laminate by providing a seamless transition from the floor to the wall, allowing for proper airflow that reduces the risk of moisture buildup—a common concern with laminate products.
With the assistance of reputable suppliers like Buffalo River Plastics, vented base cove can be installed to not only improve the aesthetic appeal but also ensure that the laminate flooring remains protected from potential damage caused by spills or humidity. By integrating this feature into the design, homeowners can maintain the beauty and integrity of their laminate floors, while enjoying the benefits of a smooth, water-resistant surface that closely mimics the elegance of natural wood.
However, it may be mistaken for engineered wood as they both look the same. Yet, the main difference of laminated wood is that it’s made with high-density fiberboard (HDF) covering while engineered wood is topped with a veneer of real hardwood. Nonetheless, laminate wood costs less as it’s not mainly made from wood but synthetic.
Yet, every floor covering has its upsides and downsides. No matter how hard-wearing they are, they always have underlying cons so you need to weigh this to ensure you’re getting more of the bargain.
Pros of Laminated Floors
Appearance
Laminated floors appear like wood so you can have a substitute for wood. Because of the advanced technology we have today, it’s hard to tell how laminated floors are different from wooden floors. They can accurately mimic what real wood looks like, making your home look cozy, comfortable, and even luxurious for everyone to be fascinated. You may also look for different shades and styles to give each room a different statement once you walk in.
Maintenance
Because of the laminated covering of laminated floors, they may be textured in appearance but they are smooth when it comes to real texture. Hence, it’s very easy to maintain them where you can just wipe the floors without worrying about softening them. Moreover, it is also resistant to scratches and high floor traffic. Unlike real wood, they are resistant to heat, which makes them a perfect alternative that does not entail so much maintenance and care. Vacuum, sweep and wipe all you can fast and easy for a squeaky clean floor.
In addition, some laminate flooring comes with UV-resistant properties, protecting your floors, even the dark ones, from fading and ensuring the colour lasts longer.
Price
Price varies per type of laminated floor. Some can be thin and some can be thick, and the price depends on the thickness and the design you would want. Durability also entails expensiveness, where you can see to it that its hard-wearing and you can use it for years. Generally speaking, the cost of laminated floors in Australia is about $0.50 to $3 per square foot, which makes it very affordable for people to give their interiors a luxurious touch amidst the price.
Instalment
Laminated floors are also easy to install, and you can just DIY them rather than hiring someone to do it for you. Glue and press and you’re good to go, and you may just replace a tile when you don’t feel like it; no need to do any brickwork as well.
This convenient feature grants you the freedom to customize your floors whenever you want, allowing you to create a refreshed and dynamic living environment without the need for additional assistance.
Environmental Impact
Laminate flooring can be a more sustainable choice compared to natural hardwood. Producing laminate uses less wood than solid hardwood flooring, reducing the demand for forests. Plus, many manufacturers recycle post-consumer wood chips and sawdust into laminate, adding to its eco-friendly appeal. However, consumers should look for laminate flooring certified for low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to ensure indoor air quality.
Cons of Laminated Floors
Not Flexible
As laminated floors can be thin, the layers of each tile may degrade from high traffic. This means that your floors may not be leveled due to the pressure above them, and you may need to replace them when the inevitable time comes. Hence, it can be beautiful once, but over time you may need to replace it over and over again. Nevertheless another cost for you in the long run.
Noise
While laminate floors can provide a solid feeling underfoot, much like traditional wood floors, they can also be noisier. The hard surface of laminates can increase sound reverberation, which can be a downside, especially in open spaces. Using underlayment or opting for laminates with attached underlayment can help to reduce the noise.
Durability
Of course, when the price is cheap, it comes with underperformance too. Laminated floors only have a short lifespan, making it hard for you to let them sit on your floors for a long time. More so, it’s not much resistant to water. As laminated floors are typically thin, mopping them with a lot of water can be a hassle; water might eventually sip in under the floors, causing the glue to break and even have blots on the surface. However, some may have a money guarantee for you and do tests, so you must grab it as well. Thus, in most instances, laminated floors can be an alternative if you want a fast remedy to beautify your floors, but that’s just it.
Risky
Laminated floors can entail risks too. First, because of its glossy surface, it can be slippery when wet. This is why it’s recommended for them to be wiped only rather than mopped. On the other hand, because the glue can fail when it ages, it would not hold so much and the edges of the floor might pop up over time; if unnoticed, you might end stumble down, unfortunately.
Wrapping Up
Laminate flooring is a beautiful temporary floor replacement for your interiors. With its affordability, you’ll get a luxurious-looking home in an instant. Yet, drawbacks must also be considered when opting to have them. Laminated floors can entail risks and underperformance, so it’s best to weigh their advantages and disadvantages too. Moreover, consider the specific needs and requirements of your household, as well as the anticipated foot traffic and conditions in the areas where the flooring will be installed.
Is laminated flooring for you? You’ll be the judge of that.
