Six Surprising Facts About Your Laminate Flooring Installation

At our Completely Floored showroom in Everett, WA, we can't help but notice how popular laminate flooring has become in the past few years. But really, it's no big surprise to us, as we know all too well how this flooring installation is the top go-to for interior designers. While it offers a lovely appearance that can mimic the look of virtually any material out there, it's by no means an inferior product, when compared to other hard surface options. A superior product that gives homeowners equal parts style, value, and durability, we thought it would be interesting to provide our readers with a few fun, surprising facts about this great material. Before you call on your laminate floor installers for your upcoming renovation, get to know your new hard surfacing!

#1. It's Harder Than Hardwood

Compared to wood, its high-density fiberboard is actually denser, harder, and tougher. If you have a busy household, this feature might appeal to you as, in the end, it means it's less likely to be superficially damaged. Feel free to breathe a sigh of relief as dents, gouges, and scratches won't be a predominant issue.

#2. It’s Earth-Friendly

As the high-density fiberboard slats that are created when tons of force press wood chips together, is a sustainable material, these planks are also eco-friendly. Basically, this means that any part of the tree is used, and nothing goes to waste.

#3. Its Design is Created With a High-Tech Printer.

Believe it or not, the top layer of your floor installation is created with the use of a 3D printing process. The superficial design, a thin layer called "living paper", is what gives your slats such a genuine appearance. Once that section is affixed to the planks, it is then coated with several layers of aluminum oxide, which allows the sections to resist superficial damage like scratches.

#4. It Can't Be Refinished

While hardwood's top layer can be sanded and re-varnished, you simply can't do that with this type of surfacing. Remember the design layer? Well, if you were to sand the superficial layer in this instance, then the design would simply disappear. Homeowners, you'll need to keep this fact in mind.

#5. It Can Be Built Atop Other Surfaces

Known as a floating floor, this surfacing option can be built atop other pre-existing types of hard surfacing, as long as they're clean and flat. Another great thing about a floating addition is that there's no need to use nails to attach to what's underneath. Thus, eliminating the chance of damage to the original hard surfacing under the new planks.

#6. It Has a Locking System

With a strong locking system, there's no need to worry about planks disengaging from surrounding planks. Additionally, this ensures that your new surfacing is essentially seamless and perfectly smooth.