LAMINATE
Laminate Flooring in Burke, VA
Floors & Designs, LLC is here to help you make the best decision about laminate flooring in Burke, VA.
What Is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate Wood Flooring is not made of actual hardwood material but rather concentrated layers of particle board and fiber fused together. Laminate Flooring is comprised of synthetic materials (typically melamine resin) covered with a decorative wood appliqué, and then finished with an aluminum oxide coating. The quality of the laminate is determined largely by the photography and the number of “screens,” which indicates the number of photographs per style.
Most laminate floors utilize a plastic underlay sheet installed directly under the laminate planks or tiles. This helps the floor “float” freely over the sub-floor. It is also possible to add a noise reduction underlay prior to laying the laminate flooring.
Laminate wood flooring is the most popular alternative in Northern Virginia to solid hardwood flooring.
Advantages of Laminate Wood Flooring
If laminate wood flooring looked fake the last time you checked, it’s time to check again! Today’s laminate flooring options are very difficult to tell from actual wood. There is a wide variety of colors and designs to choose from that closely imitate the more costly floors. Laminate flooring is popular because it requires minimal effort to clean and maintain. Laminate flooring is very resistant to staining, wear and tear, and fading. It is much more durable than wood while still offering a beautiful wood appearance. Laminate flooring is approximately fifteen times stronger than hardwood flooring, and many manufacturers offer a 10+ year lifetime guarantee. With glueless laminate flooring, there is no excess glue to clear up, and the floor can be used immediately after installation. Finally, laminate flooring’s biggest appeal for Northern Virginia residents is arguably its cost, which is much less than wood.
In summary, laminate wood flooring is affordable, easy to maintain, is offered in a wide variety of styles, is extremely durable, and is particularly practical for high traffic rooms.
We will send a flooring specialist to your location for a free estimate with a variety of samples for you to choose from. Call Floors & Designs today. You won’t be disappointed!
Features of Laminate Flooring
- patterns mimic wood and natural stone
- good choice for the look without the maintenance or cost
- offers significant value
- range of colors and styles, including exotic
- durable for active lifestyles
- stain resistant, no wax or varnish
- less likely to fade in sunlight
- sold in Europe for 25+ years
- 10-20 times harder than laminate countertops
- floated rather than secured directly
- installed over a variety of subfloors
- one of the bestselling floors in the US
- great impact and indentation resistance
- easy to replace, if desired
4 forms of installation:
- Glueless laminate flooring
- quick and easy
- thin underlayment seals out moisture
- floors float over subfloors
- vapor barrier can be added for noise
- Laminate flooring with attached underlay
- several different types of tongue and grooved locking systems
- attached underlayment to reduce noise levels
- Glued laminate flooring
- the original laminate floors
- require a special formulated glue
- offered in planks and tiles
- Pre-glued laminate flooring
- No mess, glue already applied to the tongue and grooves
- quick and easy-to-install
- thin, plastic underlayment needed to seal out moisture and prevent glue from sticking
Maintenance for Laminate Flooring:
- Place doormats or walk-off mats at each entryway to collect excessive moisture and dirt.
- Sweep, dust mop or vacuum (without a beater bar) your floor to remove loose dirt and grit.
- Periodically use a damp mop to restore your floors shine.
- Purchase a laminate cleaner specifically made by the manufacturer for your particular floor.
- After damp mopping, use a clean, dry cloth to soak up excess moisture.
- Use floor protectors on the bottom of your furniture and when moving furniture, lift rather than drag it across your floor.
- Never use abrasive cleaners, steel wool or scouring powder.
- Never use soap-based detergents or “mop and shine” products.
- Never flood your laminate floor with water or cleaners.
- Never attempt to sand or refinish your laminate floor.