A buyer’s guide to choosing laminate flooring

It is not difficult to see why laminate flooring has become one of the must-have flooring options of recent years. There are not only plenty of styles to choose from but also laminate is inexpensive, durable, and is relatively easy to install.

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Consider your options

Deciding which type of laminate flooring to buy is arguably your biggest consideration. It is vital to weigh up the pros and cons of your different options and work out which flooring would best suit a particular room. Although you may be swayed by looks alone, don’t let appearance be your main deciding factor.

Engineered or plastic?

Although the more expensive option, laminate flooring made from real – or engineered – wood looks natural and stylish. It consists of wood layers glued together, with the top layer made from hardwood coated with an acrylic finish.

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If you are seeking a cheaper alternative, plastic laminate is the one for you. Available in a range of colours and styles, plastic laminate is made from a layer of melamine, with a central fibreboard and a woodgrain print on top. Although this flooring is artificial, modern styles mimic real wood with exacting precision.

Room suitability

According to eBay, it is important to consider the environment of the room in which your laminate is going to be installed. Is it a high-traffic area? Is humidity a feature? Look at the AC abrasion rating of the laminate, which specifies how well it can stand up to daily wear and tear.

Plastic laminate tends to cope better in busier areas than engineered wood; therefore, this is a more durable option if you are worried about scratches or dents. Choose laminate with a varied grain pattern or low-gloss finish to reduce the appearance of marks. To make a room look bigger, white laminate flooring from a reputable supplier such as www.woodfloorwarehouse.co.uk creates a really stylish effect.

Correct installation

Putting foam underlayment down prior to installing laminate flooring is important, evening out inconsistencies in the flooring, making installation easier and providing a soft and secure finish. Consider how even the floor is before deciding which type of laminate to purchase. Uneven floors, for instance, are better suited to narrow planks, as wider planks will be harder to snap together and may create noticeable gaps beneath the planks as you walk over them.