Next in our roll of flooring myths busting posts is laminate flooring. Commonly know in US households as Pergo, because of one popular brand, laminate flooring has been one favorite flooring alternative because of a number of reasons which include cost-effectivity, variety, durability, installation and maintenance.
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So here are some basic things to set the record straight on laminate:
Myth #1: Pergo is laminate.
Pergo is not laminate, its just one of the popular laminate brands in North America. Laminate is made up of several layers of veneer and very, very thick and durable paper pressed together and printed with a design then finished with very thick topcoat. However, it is not pergo who created all this.
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Laminate was first introduced in Europe about 30 years ago mainly as a material for counters and tabletops and well, while it was fared quite successful, it was more successful as a flooring product when it crossed the Atlantic. Pergo was the one who introduced laminate in the US home improvement market and the rest is history.
Myth #2: Laminate flooring is fake hardwood.
Laminate flooring is not fake hardwood, it does not claim to be wood at all. Yes, it mimics hardwood but it also mimics other flooring materials like natural stone and ceramic tiles, not just hardwood flooring.
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It is made up mainly of wood veneer and has the image of the material its trying to mimic – whether its wood or stone – printed on the surface of the topmost layer. The finish on the other hand mimics the texture of that material to make the whole experience more realistic.
Myth #3: Laminate flooring is cheap.
Laminate flooring’s price depends on the the quality of the material you’re getting. Laminate flooring is not some a cheap imitation, a good quality laminate flooring can cost as much as hardwood flooring.
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Aside from design and texture, other factors that can contribute to laminate’s high cost includes the top layer’s AC grade – the lowest one being for home-use and the highest, an industrial grade. The installation – like if it needs a moisture barrier or the laminate flooring itself has a backing installed together with sound-absorber and adhesive as well as patented click-lock technologies compared to simple tongues and grooves. These factors can greatly affect the pricing together with manufacturing and transportation costs.
Myth #4: Laminate flooring is not durable.
Compared to wood, laminate flooring has better resistance to water and a higher tolerance to moisture. It is not affected by climatic changes that much and is not prone to cupping or decay.
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Further, the top finish is designed to withstand not just daily foot traffic but some also have protective UV protection to ensure that the printed images and the rich details and color on the flooring will not fade easily.
Myth #5: Laminate flooring is easy to install.
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Despite claims of laminate flooring being a favorite among DIY enthusiasts because its “easy” to install, don’t buy into it that easily. What everyone should know is that it is easier to install compared to other flooring materials since it can be laid out and put down straight out of the box. It can be cut using regular saw and can be installed by simply locking one piece to another or by using manufacturer-recommended adhesives.
