Laminate – The best home flooring choice in the country
Laminate flooring, also known as float wood tile, is a multi layer synthetic flooring. This synthetic product is put together by a lamination process. In this flooring product, wood or stone is fused with a photographic layer and put under a protective layer that is clear. The inner layer of this synthetic flooring product consists of fiber board materials and melamine resin. The laminate flooring will float over the subfloor layer on top of a firm layer, which provides reduction in moisture and sound.

How to clean laminate floors is also a common question that will be answered in this article as you read on.

When and how did laminate flooring come into existence?

• In 1977, laminate flooring was sold under the brand name of Pergo by the Swedish company Perstorp, which invented this synthetic flooring product.
• This product was marketed first in Europe in the year 1984, and in 1994, it was marketed in the country.
• In 1996, the Swedish company Välinge Aluminum, today known as Välinge Innovation, invented the glueless laminate flooring.
• This product was sold under the names of Alloc and Fiboloc.
• In 1997, the Belgian company Unilin launched a system of holding the panels of the flooring.
• This Belgian company product was sold under the name of quick step flooring.

How is the installation of the laminate flooring done?

• Laminate flooring is an easy option for homeowners who are DIY installers.
• This flooring product comes in a package that consists of a number of grooves, planks, and tongues that can be easily clicked together.
• For further convenience in the installation process, sometimes a glue backing also comes with the package.
• Saw cuts on the planks are usually needed at the edges and around closets and door entrances.
• For a neater finish, the baseboard should be removed and later be reinstalled once the flooring has been laid.
• A small gap of a few millimeters has to be maintained between the floor and any unmovable object in order to allow the floor to expand without any obstruction.

What are the types of laminate flooring available based on the style of installation?

• Glueless laminate flooring is a popular laminate flooring product and is easy to install.
• This type involves the installation of tiles or planks without the use of glue.
• Glued laminate flooring involves the joining of the planks with glue and consumes a lot of time and money, but it provides a strong flooring once installed.
• Pre-glued laminate flooring comes with glue applied to its grooves and tongue and hence the installer only needs to put the planks together without applying glue.
• The installation of this synthetic flooring product consumes minimum time; however, the installation has to be done as per the instructions provided.
• Underlayment attached laminate flooring product has the property to reduce noise levels.
• This flooring product only needs to be snapped together using the various types of tongue and grooves clicking systems as these planks are glueless.

What are the types of laminate flooring available based on the material imitated?

• Wood imitated laminate flooring comes with thin layers of wood, upper wood veneer layer, and an acrylic finish that makes the flooring durable and strong. This has thicker planks as compared to the other types of laminate flooring. Several years down the line, if the homeowner wishes to refinish the wood laminate flooring, they can do so by slightly sanding it and refinishing the surface, which brings its original glamorous look back.
• Plastic imitated laminate flooring contains a photo image design and consists of fiber board. As the materials used in plastic laminate flooring retain moisture, it is not advisable to fit this style of flooring in the bathroom. There are a range of designs to choose from in plastic imitated laminate flooring.
• Stone imitated laminate flooring brings out a genuine stone look.
• Tile imitated laminate flooring looks like ceramic tiles.

How do you need to clean laminate floors?

• How to clean laminate floors is a valid question. Using steam cleaners or wet mops can cause damage to the flooring, so they should be avoided.
• As and when a spill occurs, use a damp cloth to blot it, but do not let liquid remain on the flooring.
• If there is a spot of oil, marker, paint, lipstick, or ink, use acetone on a white clean cloth to clean it, and get rid of the residue using a damp cloth to wipe the surface.
• Do not allow dirt to get accumulated on the floor, as it may scratch the flooring.
• Using brooms, dusters, or vacuum is how to clean laminate floors.