Selecting Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring allows you to get the look and feel of domestic hardwood, rare exotic hardwood or expensive stone at a fraction of the cost. Laminate can visually replicate the look of wood, stone, brick and ceramic because of its highly detailed photography of the original material. The image is coupled with advanced embossing that adds realistic texture to the floor surface.
A laminate floor can be used in virtually any room in your home. Laminate does have some sensitivity to excessive moisture so it would not be appropriate in a bathroom or outdoor use.
Laminate is not a replacement for anything. It has come into its own as a separate and distinct flooring category. It possesses all its own features, stylings and performance benefits that are completely unique.
What’s Your look?
Laminates can be found in a variety of species along with precision surface treatments that follow the décor grain. You can even get hand-scraped for the antique look or oil finishes for the high-end look. Laminate comes in long planks or you can opt for the new, casual wide plank or the tailored narrow plank.
If you’re into stone and tile, the same kind of embossing that goes into laminate wood decors is used to create fabulous ceramic and porcelain tile as well as stone installations in the popular 16- inch formats.
Installing Laminate
Giving a room or your home a whole new look with laminate is very easy, extremely fast and not messy at all. Laminate is usually “floated” over the subfloor. That means it’s not glued, nailed, taped or stapled. After leaving a small fraction of an inch around the perimeter of the room, laminate clicks together in place. It locks tightly with virtually no gaps between pieces.
Details like trim, transitions and moldings are best handled by your flooring specialists. With years of experience, they can provide a quality installation that will give you the look you expect.
The most important feature of laminate (and one that you can’t see!) is the underlayment. This is a cushiony material that absorbs sound, helps to keep the floating floor in place and acts as a moisture barrier. The underlayment is purchased separately and put down like a carpet cushion. However, in some laminates, it comes pre-attached to each piece of laminate.
Some new underlayments now feature antimicrobial properties which help prevent mold from growing should the back ever get wet. We advise you to consider purchasing the best you can afford to get the most features and benefits.
Laminate Flooring in Denver CO Area
Bretz Interiors is your flooring experts in the greater Denver area including Lakewood, Golden, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Littleton, Morrison, and the neighborhood of Applewood, CO.
Learn more about which flooring option is right for you or contact us to schedule a free in-home consultation today!
