What are the benefits of laminate flooring?

High-definition photography, deep embossing, enhanced seaming mechanisms, and other technological innovations have made laminate flooring evolve into a visually appealing and realistic alternative to solid hardwood floors. A step-by-step breakdown of laminate benefits includes the following.

Affordable, high-end design

Although most closely associated with wood looks, laminate floors can also be true-to-life echoes of natural stone and tile. Photographs are taken with 3D photography. With embossing, photos add to the illusion of wood grains, veining variations, and textured features, such as wire-brushed, hand scraped, weathered, or distressed. The material can be cut into long planks or square, groutable tile-sized pieces. It might look like wood, stone, or tile, but you won?t pay nearly the same price.

Flooring durability

This is a layered product and, at the top is an ultra-strong, clear aluminum oxide coating that protects the floor from scratches, scuffs, stains, and sun fading. There is also the AC (Abrasion Criteria) Rating that most manufacturers use to determine each product's strength in various uses. The higher the number, the stronger the product; most residential applications should go for AC3 or AC4 for moderately and heavily foot trafficked rooms.

High water resistance/waterproof

There are two versions, the original highly water-resistant one and now a waterproof one with a unique construction that keeps stains from absorbing. This, in turn, eliminates concerns about staining and buckling. Be sure to specify the version you want.

Uncomplicated installation

This can be a floating floor where the pieces click together, mat, then hover over the subfloor with no nails or glue needed. Subfloors need mainly to be clean, dry, and level.

Since 1945, Nielsen Bros has been a leader in the Seattle Metropolitan region with three physical locations: Bellevue, Auburn, and Lynnwood, as well as a fully stocked mobile showroom for a ?shop and home? option. Find out more about laminate flooring by visiting us or calling for an appointment, especially if you live in Redmond, Kirkland, Renton, or surrounding areas, and ask about your free estimate.