Laminate flooring is a popular option for homeowners as it is easy to install, keep clean, and is cost effective. Laminate flooring is so called since multi-layered synthetic flooring products laminated together. The laminates are of different categories and styles such as,

Glue less flooring which is mainly opted by most of the house owners. Glued laminate, where the joints are glued together and it needs more time and cost than glue less. The third variety is that Pre-glued in which the joints have a glue already and they just require some moistening before joining. In this category, the laminate flooring comes with an adhesive at the back covered with a piece of paper or plastic which can be peeled off when it is to be used. Generally before installing the flooring, under pad has to be laid for cushioning and sound absorption. Laminate floors also come in many different shapes, colors, and designs which is also another reason for its popularity. Most the laminate flooring’s are in the shape of square with 12 inches, 8mm thickness and they come in boxes with 12 to 30 pieces. The laminate floors are very easy to install and it can be installed by the owner itself. Similar to the square shaped flooring’s, there are also rectangular based flooring’s which resemble wooden planks available in different flavors to decorate the floor. The laminate floors are made of different wood materials such as, hardwood, bamboo, Brazilian cherry and oak etc.

Laminate floors are also classified according to AC rating which is abrasion class which determines the durability of the lamination flooring suitable for living room, dining room. They are Moderate Residential which is for light residential use mainly for bedrooms and closets. Heavy residential which is for high traffic rooms where more people come. General Commercial AC style is suitable for residential use and high traffic commercial spaces. It is generally suitable for offices, cafes, boutiques. Heavy Commercial AC flooring is suitable for high traffic commercial space. It is compatible for government buildings and department stores. Generally more the AC rating cost will also go up accordingly.

It is very essential to maintain the laminate floors regularly. It should be kept clean and it should be free of dust, dirt and sand particles which may scratch the decorative surface over time in high-traffic areas. It is necessary to maintain the laminate relatively dry, moisture can cause the planks to warp, swell and crack. Although some of the latest models come up with water-resistance, protecting the laminate from moisture should be the taken into account. Damp proof membranes should be installed sandwiching the sub floor and the underlay. These membranes are a sheet of plastic, normally 5mm in thickness, which shields the flooring against moisture. There are ample companies coming up with large variety of designs, styles and colors. It is the owners’ smartness to choose the best design which is suitable for his house. A foam underlay is also installed as a latest designs to level out any sub-floor irregularities and absorb sound.