No surprise here: wood-look flooring has been popular for a while and this installation is predicted to become even hotter in 2020.
Stone looks are also expected to be big in 2020.
There’s nothing like a genuine wood floor installation, or one with the look of marble, quartz, slate, travertine or limestone.
Hardwood can be damaged by excess water, so it’s never recommended for placement in high moisture areas, such as a bathroom or basement.
Natural stone, although it lends a lot of architectural interest to a home, is expensive and often porous and soft when taken directly from the quarry.
The answer to all those challenges lies in three words: laminate flooring installation.
What is it?
Laminate is a multi-layered product fused to form one piece. The core is made of high-density fiberboard.
The image layer is clear and precise and, at the top is a clear plastic wear layer, coated with super-strong aluminum oxide that protects the floor from scratches and erosions.
At the bottom is an underlayment, either attached or in a roll. Underlayment is necessary; since laminate is “floating,” meaning that it can be placed directly over most subfloors, the underlayment provides cushioning for stability, support and noise muffling.
Benefits
●Laminate is stylish and has a high-end appearance. So much so that we have been seeing this flooring in some of the more expensive homes. It comes in a sheet or can be cut into planks or tile-sized pieces.
Not so long ago, it was seen as material for a kitchen or bath installation, but now it’s appearing in living and dining rooms, bedrooms and other spaces. There are many species, including domestics like oak and hickory and exotics like ebony and they show all the raised grains, knots and swirls of authentic wood.
Texturing features give it a wire-brushed (which is going to trend in 2020), hand scraped, distressed, antiqued or even reclaimed barn wood look. There’s a wide assortment of colors, patterns, and designs.
●Easy care: Just sweep every day and mop once a week.
●Affordable: Fraction of the cost of wood or stone.
●Uncomplicated installation: Pieces just click and lock together, or you can glue it down. It can be a DIY project if you're so inclined.
Do remember that, although it's highly water-resistant, it's not waterproof. Be sure you, or the laminate installers, place the boards tightly together and you should wipe spills from the floor immediately.
Feel free to be floored by the experts at the Completely Floored showroom in Everett, WA.
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