It is perfectly acceptable to substitute the expensive original for an inexpensive imitation when it comes to flooring options. With today’s advancements in design, you can even get the imitation option to look so much like the real thing that you have to look twice to know for sure. In this case, I’m talking about laminate flooring.
It was originally designed by the Pergo Company in Europe. That’s why it’s often referred to as simply “Pergo”, even though a variety of other companies manufacture the same thing, including Armstrong Laminate. It’ a clear case of the brand name being used more often than the product name. It’s a tongue-in-groove flooring design that allows you to quickly and easily snap together uniform planks of composite pieces to make one large floor. It sits or “floats” on the subfloor. You trim the other pieces to fit around cabinets and corners, and then finish it off with a nice piece of floor trim. The planks can be glued or simply snapped together. In environments where moisture is more likely to be present, such as kitchens and bathrooms, it’s recommended that you glue them together to prevent moisture from seeping under the laminate and ruining the subfloor or warping the planks from the underside.
Laminate floor installation of this type is truly a snap (pun intended). The one big requirement is to leave a small gap of at least 5/16″ between the edge of the floor and your wall. This will allow it to expand naturally without buckling.
For those who don’t want the look of a wood floor, you’re in luck. While simulated wood is the most common appearance for this type of flooring, it also comes in the appearance of marble and granite. They’re remarkably easy to clean and maintain, they’re often less expensive than true hardwood flooring, and it’s a very common material used in houses today, so buyers wouldn’t be at all surprised to see it installed. It no longer carries a stigma of being cheap, as they are very sophisticated products now.
The core of the floor planks is not truly waterproof in itself. It’s recommended that you install them in high water areas like a bathroom or basement, but if you must, then you’ll need to glue the planks together. If water gets between or around the planks and seeps underneath them, that trapped water can soak up from the bottom and cause warping and rotting of the planks themselves. While the upper layer is water-resistant and can be damp mopped, you want to avoid excessive moisture for that reason.
Another huge benefit is that they require almost no ongoing maintenance. True wood floors need to be sanded and refinished occasionally. Laminate never needs that. With proper care and cleaning, it will look the same 10 years from now without ever doing anything to it.
Installing Laminate Flooring
Manufacturers usually incorporate very specific and detailed instructions as to how to install their product; in this case, laminated flooring. However, some people ignore these instructions and end up having floors that are far from what they envisioned. The next time you might feel like ignoring the instructions for installing laminate flooring, at least keep in mind these general rules of thumb:
1. Most people, including contractors, usually make the mistake of not letting the laminate acclimate to the home. The boxes that you are going to use must be left inside the room for at least 48 hours, or 2 whole days, before you install them. Otherwise, they could buckle.
2. Read the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the space you must leave around other fixtures on your floor (stair risers, columns, heat vents, and others). You will be instructed to leave a 5/16” or ½” gap between the walls and the other fixtures. If you pack it too tightly, the floor will buckle when the laminate expands. To prevent buckling due to expansion, do not nail through the laminate when installing a quarter round or a baseboard.
3. Laminate floors are sensitive to moisture. If it is going to be installed on a place where only a concrete slab separates the earth from the floor, put a vapor barrier between the laminate and the concrete. Moisture-resistant tape should be used to close the seams. Laminate flooring is not suitable for floors that have drains.
4. Some products can be installed on carpet. However, the carpet to be used must also be specific: only those that are a hard twist or a very low pile should be used. A spongy carpet will lead to the separation of the flooring as soon as it is walked on.
5. Measure the room carefully before installation. Remember that the smallest piece must always be at least 8 inches long and 2 inches wide. You may need to cut the length of the first board and the width of the first row of boards so that you won’t be left with small pieces.
6. Joints should not be close together. Before repeating the joint, make sure it is 16 inches away from the previous joint. Each joint should also be separated by 3 rows.
There are a lot of other tips that were not mentioned in this guide, including what to do if the doorway is less than 48 inches and if there are squeaks and other unpleasant noises. If you want your laminate flooring’s beauty to last several lifetimes, read the manufacturer’s manual very carefully.
