Some of the qualities are that it is hard wearing, durable, scratch resistant, non-slip, and easy to care for. It is available in a wide variety of designs and colours, so you can find the perfect look for your home. It is also the perfect surface for areas where spills occur so is ideal for pet owners and families with small children. Laminate flooring is versatile and stylish. Because of the nature of manufacture it can be made to look like any natural material which gives you a great choice when decorating a room.
As with everything it depends on quality but in general, you can get a higher quality finish at a lower price with laminate flooring. Laminate can be bought for as little as £8.99m² which compares to some of the cheaper carpets you can buy. It depends on thickness of course, but even the most expensive laminate flooring is only £29.99m² and carpet can be much more expensive, especially when you consider the thicker underlay that you need, the gripper rods and tape.
When it comes to appearance, laminate flooring wins hands down. If you study a laminate floor it is very difficult to tell the difference from real wood, such has been the leap in manufacturing methods over the years. The top layer can be textured to look exactly the same as a wood grain or ceramic tile. This three dimensional finish is embossed into the surface and once combined with the heavy fibreboard core, it does feel like you are walking on the real thing. Both have similar lifespan, but laminate with its click and lock method of fitting is heavier and feels more solid.
Yes, underfloor heating can be used with laminate flooring, in fact it is the perfect choice. Laminate is more resistant to temperature change than wood and will not change shape or warp when laid over underfloor heating. Both electric and water fed (wet) heating systems are compatible and can be used. The recommended maximum temperature is around 27° - most makes come with a floor sensor so you can monitor the temperature.
Firstly, laminate is a hard wearing material, but just like any other floor it can become damaged. It maybe that a heavy tool or other item is dropped on to the surface. If this happens then there is no need to worry. There are plenty of laminate repair kits available which will provide an invisible repair if required.
This really is a question of personal choice, what room you are installing the flooring in and your décor and colour scheme. For high traffic living areas we would suggest you use a thicker laminate such as the 12mm laminate. There may also be specific reasons such as using it in a room where there may high moistures. If you are looking for a high quality modern look then it's hard to beat the look of herringbone laminate flooring!
It is made in an elaborate manufacturing process where four layers are fused together. The central core, the part which provides the weight, is made from high-density fibreboard (HDF). This is fused to a backing layer that stabilizes the board and keeps it straight. On the top is a decorative layer which is embossed to provide the design. This is then topped of with a wear layer which protects the surface. This protects and seals the board from everyday use and wear.
Laminate flooring is the eco-friendly choice. Floating floors like this are easy to assemble and take up, protecting the flooring underneath. This means they can take up a new life in a new room or different premises. When they come to the end of their life they can be disposed of in a environmentally safe way, by grounding up, used as fuel or composting.
What is your budget? Generally, you will need to spend more if your flooring is going get a lot of use, or a high footfall. Laminate flooring increases in price with thickness, so the thicker the laminate, teh more expensive it is.
If you need a general purpose laminate then we have 100s to choose from. If you need to install it in a bathroom or kitchen then it makes sense to buy one of our water resistant laminates. If you are buying for a shop, school or gym, then check out our range of commercial laminate flooring. With so many floors for sale, there is bound to be one that suits your desired location.
There is a huge range to choose from to match all modern and traditional decors. This is where is comes down to you. One you have decided on budget and location you can enjoy teh selection process.
When it comes to estimating how much you will need, use our handy calculator
Standard installation costs could be anywhere between £8 to £12 per square metre. Most fitters will charge per metre squared, while others will charge a daily rate. The alternative is to take the DIY route and save on fitting all together.
We have a wide range of laminate flooring underlays available.
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We offer free samples on all of our flooring products. Why not order yours for free today, and get one step closer to achieving the perfect floors for your room? We offer free delivery on three free samples from across our ranges.
Most of our laminate flooring on sale comes with a 15 year warranty but some are longer. Please check on the product pages for information as the length of guarantee may be different for certain ranges. We also include real reviews for each of our products so you can shop online with confidence.
