Hardwood floors
are however porous, resulting in a weakened structure
that is both easy to stain and scratch. This in part
has lead to the invention of laminate flooring.
While capturing all the beauty and elegance of hardwoods,
laminate flooring is both durable and easy to maintain.
Its machine made construction will not stain, warp or
buckle and the Aluminum Oxide coated surface gives it
a high degree of scratch resistance that is perfectly
suited to heavy foot traffic. Unlike hardwood, laminate
floors have water resistant cores and wax impregnated
edges making them resistant to topical water spills,
and allowing for installation in kitchens and bathrooms.
The allure of laminate flooring lies not only in its
representation of real hardwood and its incredible durability,
but also in the ease with which these floors are installed
and maintained. The introduction of glueless laminates
has revolutionized flooring, opening the door to the
DIY market and weekend enthusiast. No prior experience,
specialized knowledge or tools are required. Simply place
on the floor, cut the odd piece, click, and your floors
are ready to be walked on. The work is time consuming
and hard on the knees, but with savings of up to 40%
of total job cost, it just might be worth the hardship.
Laminate flooring is highly stain resistant and requires
very little routine care and maintenance, freeing up
your time to relax by the pool. Simply sweep the floor
daily with a soft bristled brush and damp mop as required.
As a precautionary measure, place foot mats at external
doorways, thus preventing the tracking in of dirt, and
furniture pads under the feet of furniture in order to
prevent scuffing and scratching.
Laminate flooring is available in a plethora of styles
and designs. Each wood species displays its own unique
characteristics, each lending itself to a different design
aspect. Choose the grainy appearance of Oak to add charm
to any rustic interior, or utilize the grain-less consistent
landscape of Maple to bring continuity to modern décor.
Remember to use light colors to visually expand a room,
while adding dark color for a more intimate feel.
|