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by Ted Ingraham

What Is The Cost Of Laying Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring differs in price for the type of flooring that you decide to purchase but not so much in the cost of the installation. Factors that weigh on the prices of laminate flooring may include warranties, durability and many more.
The type of the laminate flooring that you decide to install in your home is ‘what will be the major factor of your price range’. Laminate flooring can be commonly found for as little as £4.99p per square meter up to anything around £18.00 per square meter. You might even pay more money if you wanted extra features. There are different types of laminate panels depending on the amount you expect to be ‘walking over’ the floors. Laminate flooring is much cheaper for a home than it is for a place of business. The main reason for this is because the flooring designed for homes is not as durable, as homes do not withstand the type of traffic that a department store does. If you are purchasing the flooring for a business there are several types of flooring you might select which will also depend on the amount of traffic that you expect to have. Businesses should expect to pay a much higher rate for laminate flooring than if installed in a home.
Another factor that will impact the price of your laminate flooring is if you are looking for a long warranty. You can also find laminate flooring that includes a lifetime warranty. When you decide on flooring that is guaranteed for life then you have to expect to pay more money for the panels. If you don’t care about the security of a warranty then you can pay a very small amount of money per square meter.
When you are considering laminate flooring, you are not only purchasing the panels for the floors, you also have to consider that you must purchase underlay for the panels, which is very important when it comes to fitting the flooring. Laminate flooring usually includes only the planks. It does not come in a package with the underlay and the panels.
When you are making a decision on laminate flooring and looking at the prices you must also consider the quality. You are saving a lot of money using laminate flooring than you would with most other types of flooring. Therefore, it should be worth it to choose quality laminate panels, as these will last a lot longer. They are easy to install and you don’t have to hire someone to install them for you. However, the quality, value, and a warranty should be considered.
The cost of laminate flooring can vary greatly. Your purchase and decision will depend on the amount of traffic that you expect and the durability of the panels needed for your flooring. You should also consider warranties and any other issues that you might have. Be sure to shop around for your flooring but don’t forget about quality when you consider the cost. It is important to remember; by spending out a little more in the first instance will save you money in the long run!  
Benefits of Engineered Flooring
Engineered flooring is a modern flooring material that imitates traditional hardwood floor boards. This looks exactly like its traditional counterpart but has many advantages over the traditional flooring system.
Engineered flooring is a composite material made up from several layers of medium or high density fibreboard or plywood with an upper layer of genuine hardwood. The core of this flooring (the fibreboard or plywood layers) are constructed by stacking the individual layers or ply’s in the opposite direction of each other this provides strength to the flooring but also eliminates expansion or contraction.
It is available in a wide variety of natural timbers such as the traditional red and white oaks, maple and ash and now exotic hardwoods from all over the world are being used. With the wide variety of different timbers available home owners will be able to find an engineered flooring product to suit their individual tastes or to compliment their decorating scheme.
The main benefits of engineered flooring include:
§ The ability to use engineered flooring in areas where traditional hardwood cannot be used such as damp areas or places where the floor would be exposed to radiant heat. When exposed to moisture or radiant heat traditional boards warp or cup; the core of the engineered flooring is constructed with the individual ply’s laid in opposite directions which ensures the flooring will not enlarge or shrink when exposed to changes in humidity.  
§ Most are fully finished (coated), this means that you do not have to sand and coat before use. When you install engineered flooring you can literally move the furniture back in and be using the room again in a matter of hours.  
§ It is generally easy to lay making it a perfect DIY project and saving you money on installation.  
§ Engineered flooring can be nailed, stapled or glued down or installed as a floating floor. A floating floor only requires that a moisture barrier, usually a foam underlay is placed on the existing floor and the engineered flooring is laid directly onto it – no sticking down is required. This allows the option that the floor can easily be removed and taken away if you move home etc, and also makes replacement of any damaged boards a relatively easy task.  
§ It looks exactly the same and offers the same rich warmth and ambiance to a room as traditional hardwood flooring, but is generally considerably cheaper than the traditional boards.  
§ Some are constructed with a thick upper layer or wear layer that can be sanded and refinished in the future to remove wear and renew the flooring.  
§ It is available in many different timber species, sizes, styles and grain patterns. There is an engineered flooring solution for every taste and decorating need.
This flooring is growing in popularity for many reasons and is being used in preference to solid wood due to its durability – the fact it will not warp or cup, even when laid in a basement or other high moisture area or when exposed to radiant heat. It is easy to lay and when installed looks exactly like traditional hardwood floors.
What Is The Best Way To Clean Laminate Flooring?
When you have laminate flooring it is important to know the proper ways to clean and maintain the floors. When you properly take care of your laminate flooring it will last for many years to come and you will be surprised how long it maintains the new and beautiful look.
Laminate flooring is very low maintenance and long-lasting. There are only a few simple things that you need to do to ensure your floors stay clean. You can dust mop and vacuum your laminate floors with a soft brush to remove dust, dirt, or grit. A damp cloth will not damage the laminate flooring panels. However, when you use anything damp on the laminate flooring, do not use too much water and be sure to dry the floor thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth. If you do have a spill on your laminate floors then you should immediately blot them up with a clean, dry cloth, sponge, or paper towels. Excess liquid tracked in by feet or spills should not remain on the flooring for long periods of time and be cleaned immediately.
To prevent damage to your laminate flooring while you are cleaning you should not use soap-based detergents, abrasive cleaners, or any other type of cleaners on laminate flooring. There is no need for it and chemical products will only damage the flooring. You also should not use steel wool or scratchy scouring pads when you are cleaning because you will damage the laminate panels. These panels do not need wax or polish as these products will also cause damage. You should also never steam clean laminate panels.
There are also other ways you can maintain your flooring to ensure a longer life, such as:
§ Placing a doormat outside so any sand and grit picked up is not bought inside.
§ Using only colourfast carpeting and pads on your floor surfaces.
§ If you wear high heels then you should avoid walking on the surface. High heels and other sharp objects are the biggest problems for scratching the laminate panels.
§ Furniture legs can also be damaging and you can avoid this by putting pads underneath the legs of furniture to avoid scratching.
§ When you move furniture you should also lift it entirely and never drag it across the surface of the floor.
§ The less you arrange the flooring in the home, the less you have to worry about scratching. However, you must rearrange the furniture occasionally because furniture will cause indentations if sitting in the same place for too long.
§ There is no reason to treat your floors with a sealant after you install them because the panels already have sealant on them. You don’t need to use lacquer or any type of refinishing product on your floors. These products will only cause damage.
§ When you clean and maintain your laminate flooring if you practice just a few simple things, then you can ensure a longer lifetime of your floors and they will maintain the beautiful look for many years.
Tips on Fitting Wooden Flooring
When you install wood flooring there are things that you should know prior to and during the installation to be sure that you have the best fitted floor possible.
§ To prepare your flooring you first must be sure that the sub-floor is dry, flat, and smooth. You should use an underlay or a barrier over the concrete first. If you have radiant heating in the flooring then you should be extremely careful and follow instructions per the radiant heating guides and by the flooring guide so nothing gets damaged. The flooring panels should be left in the room that they will be installed for over 48 hours so they can acclimatise to the temperatures of the room.  
§ When you lay laminate planks you will stagger them. The first row of flooring will be full sized planks. The second row will include 2/3 planks and the third row will include 1/3 planks. The joints of the planks should remain greater than 8″ from one another. You should also repeat the patterns of the wood grain every 20 planks.  
§ When you decide on the direction of your laminate floors you need to think about the incoming natural light from outside. The planks should run parallel to the light coming in from the windows or any glass doors that are in the room. In any installation, the starting wall that you begin the installation should be as long as possible.  
§ When you are installing your laminate flooring be sure that you have enough. You should expect to have at least 10% of the flooring go to waste. This is because when you cut the planks you might damage a few and some may already be damaged. Other pieces of planks may not be usable. So when you purchase your laminate flooring, don’t buy exactly enough to cover the floor or you will probably run out of planks.
§ It is recommended to leave a 10mm gap around each of the planks. This is called an expansion gap because wood expands from temperature changes and humidity. When wood is exposed to warmer temperatures, humidity increases, and other issues, then there must be room for the wood to expand or when the planks do push outward they will buckle.  
§ You should also remember that the first line that you lay is the most important. The first line is the longest and must be totally straight. If the first line that you lay is not straight then you should not continue. You should pull the line up and start over. Poor alignment can cause problems with residue getting caught in the grooves of the planks. Mouldings can be glued or nailed to the wall only and not to the floor.  
§ You can install laminate flooring on stairs but remember on stairs you must use regular wood glue and the mouldings should be nailed. Laminate flooring should not be installed in areas that are controlled like porches or patios. You should also never install laminate flooring over carpet. Be sure to remove carpeting prior to laying down the flooring.
You should follow these few simple steps when you are installing laminate flooring to ensure the best installation possible.

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by Ross Burton

Laminate Flooring – a Good Floor Choice

Until quite recently, most UK homes have featured carpet throughout. However, laminated wood floors have become very popular in recent years and for good reason – it looks good, is inexpensive, can be easily installed, is easy to care for and is guaranteed for life. Essentially it gives you the look of solid hardwood flooring which was traditionally associated with expensive larger properties. Laminated flooring though can be bought at a fraction of the price and the without the expense of professional installation. There are extensive ranges of laminate designs and popular finishes include English oak, Rustic French oak, Antique oak, Beech, English Cherry, Maple, Birch, American Pine, Walnut, American Black Walnut, Norwegian Maple, Chestnut and Nevada Larch. However, these days you can also get more funky designs as well, including stonework and tile finishes. So whatever ‘look’ you’re going for in your house, whether it’s contemporary and minimalist, or a more traditional style, there will be a laminate design which will be perfect for your needs. Another benefit of laminate flooring is that is increasingly seen as the flooring style of choice by many people, and many estate agents will say that it is definitely a selling feature of any home.

Laminates in kitchens and bathrooms

Until recently, laminates were not recommended for use in ‘wet’ areas like kitchens and bathrooms. But the quality has improved so dramatically over the last few years, that there are now products available that can be used in these most important rooms of the house – and they still carry a lifetime guarantee (or a twenty year guarantee for the bathroom). This new generation of laminates is being snapped up by homeowners who love the versatility of having them – easy to clean and lovely and warm underfoot.

Installation

Unlike traditional solid wood flooring which needs an expert carpenter to lay it, laminate flooring is very easy to install. With help from a fact sheet, anybody (even somebody who wouldn’t class themselves as a DIY-er) could make a good job of it. The flooring has been designed to make installation as easy as possible, and it because it just ‘clicks’ together, once started, a room can soon be covered. Therefore, if you’re looking to do a quick and spectacular transformation of a room, laminate flooring is definitely a good choice.

Laminate flooring: what is it?

OK, some technical information. Laminate flooring is made up of four layers – a base layer which stabalises the product, a second layer which has an HDF core, followed by a photographic paper image of the finish (oak wood planks for example) and then finally, an extremely hardwearing and durable laminate coating. The thinner the laminate (from 7mm) the cheaper it is, but all products these days are hardwearing and offer a lifetime guarantee or twenty year guarantee when specifically designed for the bathroom.

So whether you’re choosing a floor for a family home that you intend to live in for a long time, or refurbishing a property for rental or sale, you can be assured that laminate flooring is a good choice.

Recorded on January 19, 2011 using a Flip Video camcorder.
Video Rating: 0 / 5

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by Ted Ingraham

Wooden Flooring and Laminate Floors Add a Natural Touch

Wooden flooring has many benefits over the use of carpets. Laying a wooden floor can set your home apart from the rest and increase its value if you come to sell the house. Each floorboard is unique making the effect of a wooden floor very attractive. Unlike carpets, wooden flooring does not trap dust and mites and is therefore highly recommended for allergy suffers. Wooden flooring is extremely hard wearing and will last considerably longer than even the highest quality carpets available. It is easy to keep clean and is stain resistant to food and drink. Any spillages can simply be soaked up and wooden flooring can be easily swept to remove dust and solid matter.

Wooden flooring is widely available from all good hardwood flooring suppliers. You can buy wooden flooring in various thickness and widths. Some wooden flooring products are even available in random lengths to add to the natural look of the flooring. A range of finishes is also available including unfinished, lacquered and oiled, which gives a durable protective layer whilst maintaining a natural finish. There are various grades of wooden flooring available with the higher grades having less knots and colour variation. Generally speaking the younger the wood, the lighter the colour. This can mean that even wood from the same tree can have variations in colour depending on how old the wood is. Older wood is found at the centre of the tree whilst the younger, lighter wood is found around the edge. This younger wood is known as Sapwood.

Oak flooring is widely used in North America and Europe for both residential and commercial flooring. Both continents are major producers of the flooring with the USA producing Red and White oak flooring and European oak flooring on this side of the Atlantic. An incredibly rich colour can be achieved by polishing oak flooring. Red oak flooring is noted for its warm tones with pink tinting whilst White oak flooring is often lighter with grey tones. Most oak flooring produced in North America is made from trees sourced on the Eastern side of the Rockies whilst European Oak is made from timber found all over Europe. All these different types of oak vary in colour; hardness and grain however all give a stunning finish to any room.

Walnut flooring is also heavily produced in North America where the Walnut tree is most common. It is an extremely tall and fast growing tree that produces a varied grain of warm and rich coloured wood. Walnut flooring is generally darker than oak flooring and is incredibly hard wearing. It is commonly used in offices, libraries and dining rooms where a warm yet classic look is required.

There is very little that comes close to the look and feel of real wooden flooring however the cost to buy flooring like this is not affordable to every budget. Engineered hardwood flooring is available and can be cheaper than solid wooden flooring. It comprises of a layer of hardwood on top of a plywood base. Alternatively laminate flooring is a good cost effective solution to real wooden flooring and is available in a range of wooden and ceramic styles. Since its introduction the improvements in laminate flooring has been outstanding. Nowadays most laminate flooring does not require glue and simply clicks together. This makes laying laminate flooring faster, easier and much less messy, With such high quality laminate flooring now available it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between laminate and real hardwood flooring and its popularity for use in homes and commercial properties is growing all the time.

More Oak Laminate Flooring Articles

by Ted Ingraham

Choosing the Right Krono Laminate Flooring

Inspired by nature and built to last, the Krono Original collection offers fantastic value wood flooring. The resilient, high quality laminate finish means that your Krono wood flooring will resist stains and even furniture imprints, proving to be one of the most resistant floorings available. If you are looking for the authenticity of real wood with the easy clean convenience of laminate, Krono Original wood flooring is a clear winner.

Maintaining simplicity but oozing with sophistication, Krono Floordreams is an extremely hard wearing wood flooring suitable for heavy domestic and intense commercial use. This type of flooring is also designed to support under-floor heating and coupled with its Aquastop moisture protection, Floordreams laminate wood flooring is a smart choice for bathrooms. Personalise your wood flooring even more with a diverse range of finishes, including Riverside Oak to add depth in your home, or maybe you want a clean, sheek look with the Beech Camarque finish. Finally, Vancouver Maple and Whitewashed Oak both hold a sense of warmth that will give any home a wholesome yet friendly atmosphere.

Kronostep Narrow strikes a balance between contemporary and traditional design that offers stunning floor effects at an affordable price. At 123mm wide, these laminate wood flooring panels are 69mm narrower than standard panels, giving a stylish parquet flooring effect. Like all of the Krono wood flooring range, attention to detail is key. Check out the Maranello Oak, Aberdeen Oak, Italian Walnut and Windsor Oak for a plank authentic embossed texture or the African Walnut planked rustic finish to add intensity to your room. Simplicity is maintained throughout the design and the micro bevel edges complete the finish.

If you’re looking to create sense of warmth that complements your contemporary home, Krono Vario could be the way to go. Bevelled V-grooves give the look and feel of a solid wood floor that is simple to install and can be easily looked after. Light Varnished Oak, Canadian Elm and Antique Oak all boast the planked rustic finish and offer a sense of personality like no other laminate wood flooring.

Why not take a different approach when flooring your home? Krono Stoneline is a great way to add that rustic stone effect without the pain of laying individual tiles. Keep the realistic grouting effect but also have the luxury of never having cold feet again with the ability to add under-floor heating. Travertine and Metallic Slate both come in Tile or Antique Stone.

If you’re looking for consistency and uniformity of design, the Kronofix laminate wood flooring may just be the choice for you. A favourite for everyday living, Kronofix is available in Woodgrain, Smooth Finish or Rustic textures and a diverse range of finishes including Royal Oak, Certosa Oak and Dark Oak to complement your home’s décor.

Whatever type of laminate wood flooring you choose Krono offers quality laminate flooring that soars above the competition. With an extensive guarantee for all products, all you need to worry about is the design to make the most of your home.

Check out the full range of Krono Laminate Flooring at Real Oak Floors.  All the Kronospan laminate flooring is available at trade prices with additional offers for pallet purchases.

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by clicclic

Why Buy Laminate Flooring ?

The popularity of laminate flooring has gone from strength to strength since it was first introduced to the UK over 15 years ago. Laminate floors offer a great alternative if you don’t want to make the investment into hardwood flooring, but want to create a difference or add value to your home. Laminate flooring can help transform a room or an entrance way into a spacious and more eye-catching contemporary living area and offers a less expensive and equally attractive option. Laminate flooring is simple to fit and exceptionally practical it can brighten almost any room in the home.

Laminate flooring can be used in rooms of any size from small spaces at home to large office units at work. In homes it is most commonly used in downstairs rooms and hallways however with the introduction of moisture resistant laminate floors its uses have now spread to kitchens and bathrooms as well.

How you decorate rooms often depends on what it’s used for. Is it a place where you scrum down with the kids, relax with a glass of wine at the end of the day or is it for entertaining your guests? Well the right flooring can help you make it all three. To do this you have to mix practicality and style; fortunately with today’s laminate flooring you don’t have to compromise on either. Top quality laminate flooring is less than half the price of a high quality woven carpet and has the added attraction of requiring the minimum amount of cleaning and after care which naturally appeals to a wide variety of people – from those with young families to busy professionals. Laminate flooring is scratch, stain, fade and even burn resistant. Spills wipe away easily and they look fantastic!

The choice of laminate flooring on the market is vast with products ranging from light wood floors like pine to dark wood floors such as walnut. An antique finish in a smaller room can create a rustic country cottage look with bags of atmosphere. In a larger room this finish can create anything from ultra modern chic to the feel of a medieval banquet hall.

Some of the most popular choices include beech laminate flooring and oak laminate flooring. You can even purchase laminate flooring that replicates the look and feel of traditional stone tiles making it an ever more popular choice in interior design. All these types of floors can be purchased from flooring suppliers with many offering discount flooring throughout the year.

A guide on installing Quickstep laminate wood flooring. Quickstep have a great range of laminate flooring to suit every budget. Check out our full range of laminate flooring at www.realoakfloors.co.uk

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by Ted Ingraham

Laminate Flooring – Exceptional Durability

Laminate flooring offers exceptional durability. Laminate floors are remarkable for their unmatched reliability and affordability, these very factors account for their immense popularity.

Unlike hardwood, laminate floors aren’t pure wood. Instead, they consist of a wood composite base over which come layers of melamine-impregnated paper covered with a scratch-resistant layer that contributes to their amazing durability. The advantage they possess over hardwood is that the scratch-resistant wear layer is immune to dog claw scratches and all kinds of other scratch marks. Laminate flooring is also less expensive and easier to install than hardwood. But it still adds elegance to the room and lends the impression of real wood; therefore, this type of flooring looks much more expensive than it actually is.

Exotic Impressions from Armstrong is an example of wonderfully durable laminate flooring. The elegant finish it’s provided with gives it an appearance of exotic hardwood, and it is available in great wood-inspiring colors such as exotic walnut, cherry bronze, and cherry natural. It also comes with a 30-year limited warranty. Pergo’s Prestige is extremely attractive and resistant to scuff and stain. It’s also effective against moisture. It has a 25-year triple plus warranty and comes in colors such as savanna oak, Brazilian cherry and rustic oak.  

Laminate floors can be either attached to the sub-floor or its pieces connected to each other. The latter is a floating floor that can be replaced easily whenever necessary. Laminate flooring of the former kind is more stable and produces less noise. As it is moisture-resistant, there’s almost no place in a home where laminate flooring cannot be used.  

An online store can give you instant shopping and purchasing opportunities for all kinds of laminates. You can browse the range of colors and finishes offered and make your choice.

by Ted Ingraham

Oak Laminate Flooring – A Better Choice Than Real Hardwood?

While most people find that Oak hardwood floors are visually stunning, they are not ideal for all homeowners. Oak laminate flooring can be a better choice for many homeowners because it is easier to install, not as expensive, and is usually more durable than your typical wood flooring.

Many homeowners opt for oak laminate because it provides the rich color that attracts a lot of people to hardwoods in the first place. Oak laminate floors allow consumers to create the same rich and warm feel in their home that hard woods do. You’ll generally find that there are many different colors and styles that oak laminates come in, ranging from natural oak colors, honey oak colors, and an almost deep cherry look. Most homeowners will discover that they love oak laminate flooring because it will instantly add some warmth, color, and texture to every room that it is installed in.

- Oak Laminate Flooring Manufacturers
There are many oak laminate flooring manufacturers, but we’ll give just a few examples here. Three well-known brands are Quick Step, Westhollow and BHK. It’s important to remember that these three brands as well as others usually have many different oak laminate offerings, so you’ll want to consider all of your options before you settle on just one.

- Quick Step Laminate Flooring
Quick Step is growing in popularity because they are generally quite affordable, offer all of the current styles, and are often very easy to install on your own. Quick Step offers some beautiful choices, like Natural Oak, with a starting price of about .00 a square foot. In addition to Natural Oak is a stunning option known as Dark Oak. As the name suggests, this has deep rich tone to it. Quick Step floors are very easy to use and can be used throughout the whole house or in specific rooms as you see fit.

- Westhollow Laminate Floors
Westhollow offers a large selection of striking oak laminate flooring. One of the most well known from Westhollow is from their Heritage Collection. “Cathedral French Oak” is one of the more common choices and is generally very affordable with prices starting right around .30 a square foot. This particular option is a beautiful floor and is great in any area of the home including the entry way, a staircase, as well as the dining room and living areas. Westhollow offers another beautiful oak laminate floor called “Barn Milled Oak”. This is also from the Heritage Collection and is similarly priced to their aforementioned product.

- BHK Laminate Floorings
BHK’s laminate Oak floorings are visually stunning. Their “Select Oak” option is very popular as it has what could be described as a traditional oak look and color. While the floor is very beautiful and expensive looking, it usually retails for about .30 and up, which I am sure you will agree is quite reasonable. Another beautiful BHK selection is Natural Oak, which will give a very warm and homey feel to any living space.

Choosing oak laminate flooring for your home is a great choice because it will allow you to add style and warmth to your home, but without the high cost that is usually associated with real Oak. Oak laminate floors work well in all areas of the home, including high traffic areas. It will allow you to infuse your home with style without worrying how they will wear over time.