Are you about to redo your basement floor, or finish a room after major renovations? Laminate flooring is the perfect solution for you. It’s an alternative to hardwood flooring. Whether it’s for a condo, office, basement, or house, laminate flooring is indeed an excellent option when the budget is tight. However, it must be acknowledged that finding the right laminate flooring for your interior is not an easy task. In this article, discover all the factors to consider to ensure you choose the best laminate flooring.
What is laminate flooring?
First of all, let’s clarify what laminate flooring really is. Also called floating floor or stratified floor, laminate flooring is a parquet made of four distinct layers:
- – The backing layer
- – The core made of fiberboard
- – The decorative layer
- – The protective layer
It is mostly made from melamine or HDF fiberboard, which is why it is particularly durable. Expensive materials such as wood, concrete, natural stone, and ceramic are often imitated thanks to the finish of laminate flooring. This means it can be used in all decor styles. Laminate floating flooring has especially evolved significantly since its introduction in the 80s. Indeed, if at first it had the form of a panel representing the same image of 2 to 3 glued planks with joints, today it’s a whole different model! So much so that even the most skeptical can be confused by the textures, colors, dimensions, and rich finishes of the laminate flooring models found on the market.
Why choose laminate flooring?
Many wonder what makes floating flooring such a special product. Simply put, it’s an engineered material made from a mixture of wood dust and adhesive subjected to intense heat and pressure treatment. Particularly resistant, laminate flooring is finished with urethane. This gives it extreme resistance to scratches caused by heavy traffic, furniture movement, and office chair wheels. Not to mention animal claws, which are also the main cause of floor wear. Laminate flooring also stands out for its ease of maintenance, as there is a very effective floor cleaner. Floating floor surfaces are very easy to clean using a microfiber mop dampened with a cleaner specifically designed for this purpose. Besides this, it’s important to note that laminate flooring is easy to install. Indeed, its interlocking mechanism allows for both simple and quick floor installation without the use of nails or glue. Moreover, a manual cutter, specially designed for this use, facilitates the cutting of boards. And this, without noise or dust!
What budget should be planned for buying laminate flooring?
The budget is the first determining factor for acquiring laminate flooring. Depending on your means and preferences, you have a choice of several product ranges. An entry-level laminate flooring can cost between $3 and $3.5 per square foot, while a medium to high-end laminate flooring costs between $3 and $4.50 per square foot. Note that the entry-level can be sufficient if you have a tighter budget, especially if the aesthetic aspect is not an issue for you. For higher-end laminate floors, with superior resistance and an advantage of choice in terms of finish and colors, prices can go up to $6 per square foot. Remember that to know the exact prices based on the desired style and the surface to be covered, the ideal would be to visit a store specializing in this field.
Criteria for choosing laminate flooring
If you have a project to carry out with laminate flooring, you need to take into account a few criteria. The objective is to make an informed choice and successfully complete your project.
The type of wood imitation for laminate flooring
There is a wide range of wood imitations for laminate flooring on the market. If you want to give a more conventional look to your floor, hardwood tree imitations are ideal. Coniferous woods like fir offer a more rustic appearance. Note that among the most popular imitation choices are oak, pine, maple, cherry, and silver oak. Those with larger budgets can opt for more exotic choices such as aged ash, old oak, and others. In any case, it all depends on your preferences.
The thickness of laminate flooring
It should be noted that the thickness of a floating floor does not necessarily determine its quality! There’s proof that 8mm laminate floors can be of better quality than 13mm ones. The difference lies in the fact that a thinner plank will allow for more possibilities in terms of width and length dimensions. As long as the subfloor is even and uniform, all thicknesses will provide a similar comfort effect. However, if the subfloor has irregularities, a thicker plank might eventually produce a better effect. Therefore, before choosing laminate flooring, be sure to carefully consider the right thickness for your flooring.
Wear resistance
All laminate floors generally meet a standard of resistance and durability. This is especially established according to test results and the choice of materials used in manufacturing. The AC code, being the indicator of laminate flooring resistance, deserves attention. Generally, the higher the number following the AC code, the greater the product’s resistance. Consequently, be sure to take this into account when making your decision. For residential use with normal traffic, the AC3 rating is the reference standard for floating floors. AC4 and AC5 ratings will ensure higher performance, proving more appropriate in commercial contexts or areas with higher traffic. For wear-resistant floating floors, AC4 or AC5 ratings are therefore recommended. However, to ensure you acquire good laminate flooring for your residential projects, it’s best to focus your search on products offering an AC3 rating or higher.
The E1 standard
Before choosing laminate flooring, it is also essential to consider the E1 standard. The fact is that particle boards used in such materials can be a source of formaldehyde, a highly volatile compound classified as a carcinogen. The E1 standard notably certifies a content equal to or less than 8 mg per 100 g, which is the strictest standard to date. Some materials of the same type now manage to obtain the E0 standard, meaning no formaldehyde content, a trend that should soon be reflected in the world of laminate flooring. In the meantime, know that the E1 standard is already an important and significant gain for a well-compliant product.
The composition of laminate flooring
To ensure the superior quality of your laminate flooring, it is also necessary to know what it is made of. HDF or High Density Fiberboard is the material to favor in the case of a floating floor. It is a well-known and widespread material that offers a higher density of the final product. The fibers are more compressed and provide greater stability, as well as a stronger and more resistant laminate floor. This applies to both pressure and humidity variations.
The warranty of laminate flooring
This is the next factor to consider when choosing a floating floor. In most cases, the warranties for laminate flooring vary. They mainly indicate that the flooring will not fade in addition to not delaminating. Moreover, the warranty often decreases over the years of use. Also, it is very rare for a user to reach the full duration of the warranty, for various reasons. For residential use, it is essential to have a warranty. It’s a way to ensure both the quality and durability of the laminate flooring you have chosen. Generally, a warranty of 15 to 25 years is quite suitable depending on the context.
Grades
Floating or laminate floors are classified according to a grade based on both the color of the wood used and the presence of knots. Wood imitation with more knots generally brings a more rustic and natural look, while more uniform wood will be more discreet and simple. It all depends on the style you’re looking for as well as the available options. Moreover, if you’re hesitating between several floor color choices, you can ask your retailer for samples. By placing them in the room where they will be installed, you’ll then have the opportunity to make a better choice.
