Artistic Restorations
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is gaining ground as the most popular flooring choice in the country. After enjoying years of popularity in Europe, laminate floors are making a mark in the American market. These floors are inexpensive, easy to install and offer the good looks of a hard wood floor with none of the high maintenance features. Laminate floors don't use any solid wood in construction, but instead are made of a number of materials that are joined together strongly, and finished to give a wood-like appearance.
Installing laminate flooring is simpler, and is often done through the free floating method. Here, the laminate floor is not attached to the sub floor using glue or staples. Instead, the plants are locked together tightly, and a special locking mechanism is used to hold the plants in place. This is especially beneficial if you don't intend to tear out your old floor. Laminate floorings are classified on the bases of AC ratings. This refers to the laminate's ability to resist stains, dents, scratches etc. Failure in even one test criterion will disqualify the product. Ratings extend from AC1 to AC 5. Laminate floors are installed using a tongue and groove mechanism that locks the planks together without the need for gluing or nailing the planks to the floor. Make sure your sub floor is even, before installing your laminate floor.
Consider AC ratings before purchasing a laminate floor. A kitchen laminate floor should have an AC rating of at least 3. Heavy use areas like commercial buildings need a rating of at least 5. Protect your laminate floors by using protective pads for your furniture legs. To move furniture across your floor, place a ply wood sheet first over the laminate, and then move the furniture across it. Avoid re finishing your laminate floor. If glue or candle wax falls on your floor, let it harden completely, and then scrape it up gently using a plastic scraper. Never use wax products, ammonia cleaners and bleach on your hard wood floor. White spills immediately, and don't leave water standing.
Recent Requests
I would like to have the carpet removed from my stairs and landing into the hallway with wood laminate flooring. Also I'd like to replace the carpet with the same in the master bedroom , which is approximately 335 sf & in the study which is 135 sf (10 x10).
Ann S
hello... 800 to 1100 sq.ft. small two bedroom cabin. Would like dark rustic, maintance free hardwood flooring done.
Patrick S