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What to know when shopping for laminate flooring

 
Laminate floors answer many needs, including affordability, durability, high water resistance/waterproof, easy cleanability, and simple installation. Laminate wood flooring is popular, but you can also get it cut into square tile-sized pieces. Here is a description of the layers and their importance, starting at the bottom working our way up.
 

Underlayments provide support to laminate

 
Since laminate floors are often installed as a floating floor, which hovers, the underlayment supports and stabilizes the floor. Underlayments are strongly recommended, but if your laminate already has one pre-attached, you do not need to buy an additional one.

Many options are depending on the subfloor. For instance, if you are installing over concrete, which can have a high moisture level, it’s recommended to get one with a vapor barrier. If you do need to buy one, ask your flooring expert about the best one for you.
 
 
 
 
 

Floor cores oversee the handling of water

 
Cores are about the handling of water, not durability. High-density fiberboard (HDF) provides the highest level of water resistance and stability. They are also available in medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or particleboard (chipboard), and you might also want to ask about waterproof cores.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Image layer for beautiful realism

 
Photographs are taken and printed with digital technology to have an amazingly realistic look of wood, tile, or stone. The product comes in various colors, patterns, and designs, while embossing adds even more depth and dimension with textured appearances. An exciting design option is to cut into planks to mimic hardwood boards or square, groutable tile-tiled pieces.

The images follow all the current industry trends. For instance, grey wood floors are trending right now, so you can get grey laminate flooring for your farmhouse-style kitchen or a marble floor for your spa-like bath. The tile pieces come in vibrant colors, perfect for your retro-style playroom.
 

Wear layers: crucial for durability

 
The wear layer is what protects the floor from scratches and scuffs. It also keeps spills at the top, making it easy to wipe them off. The overall thickness should be at least 8-mm or 9-mm, but you might go even higher for an authentic hardwood feeling.

Installation can be a floating floor where the pieces click together to mat, then hover with no nails or glue needed. To find out more, visit the Good's Floor Store showroom in Decatur, IL, where we serve all of Macon County. If you’re a homeowner in Decatur, IL, Springfield, IL, Bloomington, IL, Champaign, IL, Forsyth, IL, Clinton, IL, Maroa, IL, orMonticello, IL, come in to see us. You’ll be glad you did. Don’t forget to ask for your laminate flooring estimate.