Choosing a new flooring for your home might be a hassle at first, but once you explore through the right category and type, it’s easier to pick the one that best suits your home.
When it comes to flooring options, laminate is the most popular choice. Because of its wide range of designs, colours, and types available, laminate makes a great option for any room.
Here, we will guide you with the types of laminate flooring to help you decide which type of laminate is right for your room.
Let’s begin!
What is Laminate Flooring?
The design of Laminate flooring creates a smooth wooden floor look. Laminate is highly durable and easy to fit in any room. Being the cheapest alternative to natural wood, laminate flooring has become the most popular choice for homeowners.
Be it in ceramic or wood, there are plenty of options available when you go through the types of laminate. Different types of laminate flooring feature glassy, detailed prints which give a feel of real wood.
If you want to invest in a floor that has a natural wood appearance, laminate is the best and most affordable choice. Keep reading to find out why it is a better option.
How is Laminate Flooring Made?
Laminate flooring consists of multiple layers, made with synthetic material. Although, the word synthetic does not mean it is plastic. Rather it indicates that the layering of laminate flooring has a collection of wood fibres.
There are four layers in the laminate plank, including wear, design, core, and backing. Each plank starts with the top layer which has a wood-like design printed on it. Then the thick layers follow which are either high-density fibre (HDF) or medium-density fibre (MDF).
After joining the layers, the sheets are cut into planks. These planks are the laminate flooring.
Know the Truth: Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring
It’s always important to know the pros and cons before you invest in anything. Laminate flooring may be a great option, but knowing its pros and cons will help you decide whether it’s right for your home or not.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comes in many styles and designs | Not able to refinish |
| HDF makes laminate moisture-resistant | Too much water can damage the planks |
| The top layer is used to prevent scratches and wear and tear | Hard to repair once damaged or broken |
| The most affordable flooring option | |
| Easy to install |
What is Good Laminate Flooring Thickness?
Generally, the thickness of laminate flooring varies from 7mm and 12mm. If you want more options in styles, then 7mm laminate flooring is a good option. Since it’s less thicker than the 12mm laminate, that does not mean the durability is always higher.
If the quality is good, then 7mm laminate flooring can last longer than the other one. The higher the quality is, the more durable the laminate will be. In the case of an even subfloor, laminate floors with 12mm thickness will be a better option.
Types of Laminate Flooring – From Materials to Colours
There are different types of laminate flooring, depending on the material, surface, and colour you want. Explore each type to find out which best suits your room.
Laminate Flooring by Material
When you buy laminate flooring, it is important to check out the materials first. Laminate flooring comes in two different materials, plastic and engineered wood, pick the one that meets your needs.
Plastic Laminate Flooring
Plastic laminate flooring is an artificial material which is a more affordable laminate flooring option than engineered wood. Though it is waterproof and prevents scratches, dents and stains, people still do not prefer it because it is entirely artificial.
Apart from being waterproof, plastic laminate flooring can withstand high-traffic areas easily. Additionally, the manufacturers have improved a lot in giving the plastic laminate flooring a close look of wood, tile, or stone.
Engineered Wood Laminate Flooring
To invest in a more genuine wood material while having the benefits of laminate, engineered wood laminate flooring is the way to go. Multiple layers of real wood are used in this material along with the addition of acrylic lamination.
It may give the feel of real wood, but the cost is double compared to the plastic laminate flooring. Also, engineered wood flooring is less durable as it can not easily hold up against water or damage. However, you can refinish it to make it last a bit longer.
Laminate Flooring by Planks
Laminate flooring is a favourable flooring due to its easy-to-install application. You can buy planks and install them at your home easily. Let’s find out which laminate plank is right for your room.
Single Plank
Single plank laminate floorboards are popular for larger rooms because each board is created to provide an image of a single piece of wood with its traditional look. Moreover, this style of laminate flooring is often known as a one-strip plank.
Multi Plank
Multi planks are different from single plank laminate as they are made as multiple floorboards. The style turns out like this, different small planks on a single board.
You can use multi-plank laminate flooring in smaller rooms to give a unique, detailed look.
Narrow Plank
If you want to make your small room interesting and a bit larger, the narrow plank laminate flooring is the perfect choice. These planks are different from standard laminate planks as they are more narrow in size and create an attractive-looking floor.
Wide Plank
When you are looking for a simple and decent floor, pick the wide plank laminate flooring as it has the most eye-catching style that will make your room look unique and beautiful.
Laminate Flooring by Installation Methods
Once you know the material of laminate flooring, the installation process is another important part to consider. There are different methods to install laminate flooring, find out which one is more convenient for you.
Click-Lock Laminate
The most easiest and popular way to install laminate flooring is by using the click-lock system. The process is simple and not tiring at all. Some laminate flooring also uses a double-click method to perfectly lock the planks into the place.
Glued Laminate
The glue method may sound messy, but it is a highly durable installation process. If done correctly, laminate floorboards can last longer.
Pre-Glued Laminate
Pre-glued laminate is a peel-and-stick method which is messy-free compared to the glued method. To secure the board completely into the floor, ensure that the pre-applied glue is lessened a bit.
Laminate Flooring by Colour Effects
The colour effect also matters in the laminate flooring. There are varieties of styles and colours available in laminate flooring and each has its effects. Keep reading to pick your favourite colour among different laminate flooring effects.
Oak Laminate
Oak laminate flooring has an effect that produces a traditional look in the room. When you install this laminate, it gives a real oak flooring look with each plank showcasing different colours and shades.
Grey Laminate
Grey laminate mimics a neutral tone which matches great with the bold interior of your room. If you want a floor with a minimalistic colour effect, then grey laminate is the perfect pick for you.
Natural Laminate
When you want a wooden floor that is beautiful and simple, you might come across natural laminate while going through the types of laminate flooring. The colour of natural laminate can add a touch of glance and warmth to any room.
Laminate Flooring by Surface
Checking out the surface of the laminate flooring is also essential while picking the right laminate flooring. Smooth, textured, and distressed are the common laminate flooring surfaces, pick the surface that will best suit your floor.
Smooth Laminate
Although smooth laminate is a more easy-to-clean option, if you want a naturalistic floor that mimics the show of real wood, then this might not be a suitable choice.
Textured Laminate
Textured laminate flooring creates a more realistic look, especially when perfectly installed. Keep in mind that the corners and cracks of the boards may be harder to clean.
Distressed Laminate
Distressed laminate, also known as hand-scraped laminate flooring, is something that gives a vintage look. If you are into antique designs or want a budget-friendly option that will last longer, then this laminate will work best for your floor.
Best Rooms for Laminate Flooring
Laminate is a material which is easily installable in any room in the home. The beauty of this flooring creates a pleasing and unique look in the room. The best places to install laminate flooring are bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, and kitchens.
Other spots like entrances are also a great option for laminate flooring as it creates warmth to the home. Since laminate is a wood-based floor and the planks can warp and damage, places like bathrooms or laundry rooms where the floor is watery most of the time.
Although there are many water-resistant laminates, they are not completely waterproof and are quite expensive than standard laminate flooring options.
What is the AC rating of Laminate Flooring?
If you are unaware of the fact that the durability of laminate flooring also depends on the AC rating, then let us enlighten you. The AC rating of laminate floors ranges from 1 to 5. For domestic areas, the most suitable rating should be between AC1-AC2.
For commercial areas, the rating will have to go up between AC3-AC5. Remember that the high-traffic area it is, the increase in the AC rating will happen. The AC ratings are written on the product page of all types of laminate flooring.
How can you determine the good quality of laminate flooring?
There are six main things to consider when buying laminate flooring. If these factors match with the laminate floor you are buying, then know that the quality is fine and safe to use. A good quality laminate flooring has an easy-to-install click-locking system. You can install it DIY at home. It also has an AC rating which indicates the durability and resilience of the laminate.
Moreover, the other factors of a good quality laminate are its thickness, wear layer, core material and warranty. Laminate flooring, no matter any type, has a warranty which tells about its longevity to resist wear, defects or fading. So, you can buy your good quality flooring with warranty at Pay Weekly Flooring with easy installments and no credit checks.
FAQs:
- Which laminate flooring is truly waterproof?
All surfaces of laminate flooring are waterproof. But, the fact that unnecessary gaps and the edges of the planks can get damaged by too much water.
- What is another name for laminate flooring?
Another name for laminate flooring is floating wood tile.
- What is high-quality laminate?
A good quality laminate is determined by finding the AC3-AC5-rated floors written on the product page.
- Which laminate is expensive?
The most expensive laminate is acrylic finish laminate which needs constant cleaning and can get scratches and stains easily.
