Laminate flooring is four layers which have been bonded together with a high pressure machine. The layers include a top ‘wear’ layer, photographic print, core and backing board with a resin to help protect against moisture. The bottom layer is the backing, above this is the inner core, a high density fibreboard which is strong and more durable than MDF. Above the core is the image, which can be anything really, most commonly this is an image of wood or stone and above the image is the wear layer which provides grip underfoot, protects the image layer from damage and depending on the finish, can provide a texture to replicate the wood or stone design. This floor is very popular in today's homes as it can replicate other flooring materials such as ceramic, wood and marble, is low cost, quick to install and hardwearing.
Laminate flooring is a great option if you are looking for wood flooring, but have a tight budget. It’s also an excellent option if your space is a ‘heavy traffic’ area. Laminate can be more practical than real wood because it is extremely hardwearing, so things like pets, kids, moving furniture etc are unlikely to damage your new laminate floor.
Another great feature is that caring for laminate flooring is extremely easy. Basic cleaning can be done with the vacuum cleaner, or simply wiping with a damp cloth and any scratches can be repaired with a repair kit. If you do happen to damage a section, we can remove and install a replacement, however unlike wood, laminate can not be sanded down and refinished.
Our first buying tip is don’t trust pictures on the internet. The colour calibration of your computer screen, the style and lighting of your home etc will all impact on how your new laminate flooring looks. The internet is great for ideas and researching pricing but we highly recommend you come in and grab a sample for your home so you can see exactly how the colour works in your environment.
Second buying tip is to think about your space and what you are trying to achieve. Do you want to make the room larger or more intimate? This will help you decide on the width of the boards, the colouring and the direction they are installed. This might also make you reconsider your choice of flooring. For example carpet is soft to walk on and very quiet, it absorbs a lot of noise and is great in Canberra winters for insulation! Whilst Laminate will open up the space, is easy to clean and a light colour will reflect natural light. You may also need to consider how easy your new floor will be to keep clean in your environment and any personal factors such as asthma. The good news is we can discuss all of these issues with you in our showroom and even at your place with our mobile display service!
Kaindl 8mm Laminate
The Spec's
Reflections 12mm Ultimate
The Spec's
With its click together install system, laminate is probably the easiest do-it-yourself installation process of all our flooring ranges. If you would like to DIY, we can provide you with all the instructions and support you need. If you’d rather not install the laminate yourself, we’ll do it for you. Our installation experts will ensure the perfect underlay and install for a quality, quiet and seamless installation. As a guide, a complete installation of a 3 or 4 bedroom home will take a couple of days. As there’s no glue or polishes, you can walk on and put your furniture back to its position immediately after the install, another great benefit of laminate flooring.
