Laminate floors are a DIY person’s dream come true since they are effortless to set up and install. Some say it is one of the best things to ever happen in the world of home improvement. This type of flooring is durable and prefinished, making it very easy to work with.
What is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate is a synthetic material that consists of several layers. These layers have been bonded and sealed together through the lamination process, ergo its name. Laminate flooring is designed to be both durable and affordable.
It is made up of four different layers:
- Backer Layer: this is the bottom Layer, which provides stability and support for the other segments.
- Core Layer: this is the Layer that provides structure to this type of material. It is also the Layer that gives it that characteristic dent-resistant property.
- Décor Layer: this Layer consists of a printed image that will be visible to the public; this is the component of laminate that makes it look natural.
- Wear Layer: this is the protective Layer of any laminate flooring. It is the top or outermost laminate layer, making it scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, and easy to clean.
Types of Laminate Flooring
There are two types of laminate that you can use as flooring for your home. The first is called plastic laminate, and the second is engineered wood laminate. The type of laminate you should install will depend on your DIY project’s specific design and needs.
Engineered Wood
This type of laminate is made from actual bits and pieces of wood that have been glued together. These wood pieces are arranged perpendicularly so that each part provides support and stability.
The top Layer of this laminate flooring comes with an acrylic finish. It is made of a layer of thin hardwood.
Plastic Laminate
This is 100% artificial, even if it does look like real wood. It has a protective layer on top that is made of plastic. The next Layer is the wood grain print, which has the wood grain design (or some other design, for that matter). The bottom Layer is made of a layer of melamine.
Note that engineered wood laminate flooring is usually twice the price of plastic laminates. However, plastic laminates are more durable and resistant to scratches and dents.
Foam Under-Layer
One important part of any laminate flooring is the under-layer made of foam. This added Layer prevents the laminate from clicking against the sub-floor when people walk over the surface.
This foam layer also makes the substrate underneath more even. It helps DIY folks to install the laminate surface a lot easier.
Installing the foam under the Layer is relatively easy. You have to roll it over the floor or other substrate you are working with. Use the adhesive in the package to hold the under-layer in place.
The final step is to install the flooring made of laminate one row at a time. Remember that these pieces snap on together. There is no need to use nails or tacks.
That is pretty much all you need to learn about laminate and how to install it on your floor. It is a good option for DIY folks who want to add a natural look to their homes at a fraction of the cost.
