It’s a type of flooring that consists of a sheet of wood or plastic that has multiple layers attached to it. Each layer is usually made up of a type of material that is designed for durability and appearance. One common use for this type of flooring is in hotels where it can be left down throughout the day so guests don’t have to worry about wear and tear. Laminate flooring can also be installed in your home if you are restoring an older residence or want to give it a more modern feel.
The process of installing laminate flooring is called floating. This means that the pieces are laid on top of a subfloor and can be installed as such without any fasteners or glue. It is recommended to wait for at least 24 hours before putting anything heavy on it, such as bookcases or chairs, but after three days you could be able to walk on it normally. The beauty of this type of flooring is that if one piece becomes damaged all you have to do is replace that one instead of the entire set. If multiple pieces were glued down it would require taking up all the boards just to get at the broken piece.
Laminate Floor Maintenance
Because these floors are so easy to maintain you won’t find yourself in the kitchen scrubbing grout or waxing the floor like you would with other types of flooring. This is because there are no layers that can collect dirt or let water through, thus cutting down on potential damage to the surface underneath. Although it may not be necessary to clean your laminate floor all the time it does need proper care when it comes to maintenance and repair.
For starters, this type of flooring could be swept or vacuumed regularly using a soft brush attachment. If you do happen to get a scratch on the surface of the wood then you may have to sand down until it disappears so remember not to use any harsh abrasive materials while cleaning. It’s also recommended that if you have pets you purchase a special kind of mop that can pick up loose hairs and dirt from the surface.
Laminate Flooring Prices
Laminate flooring in Australia is popular and common. It is used in schools, hospitals, and homes. Laminate flooring cost is considerably cheaper than most other types of flooring and ranges from as low as $15 per square metre, but it can go up to around $45 per square metre. Ask a flooring expert for laminate floor installation in order to get the best price range.
Laminate Flooring Installation Costs
When it comes to floor installation, you can either have a flooring expert do it or buy your own laminate flooring and install it yourself. If you decide to hire someone make sure they are experienced because there is a specific way in which the boards could be laid down so that it looks professional when finished. If done correctly laminate wood flooring may last for years without the need for replacement.
The laminate flooring cost associated with such work may vary based on where you live and how much time the contractor believes it could take to complete the job properly. Installing laminate flooring by yourself is easy but does require following directions carefully so you don’t make mistakes. If you are unsure about how to lay it then always have someone help you who has experience with this type of work.
When considering laminate flooring for your home, be sure that it is actually the best choice for the area in question. This type of flooring could not be installed in wet areas because regular wear and tear can cause it to warp or become damaged quickly. Nor do you want it installed where there are high traffic areas since laminate floors are designed for low footfall rather than constant walking, pushing or pulling activities.
Laminate Flooring Installation Cost
Laminate flooring cost varies from job to job and depends on the skill level of the installer, location, material costs and available labour. Flooring typically is a DIY product but installation can require a higher skill set.
Overall laminate installation costs may usually be somewhere between $15 per square metre and $30 per square metre. It’s important to remember that there are many different types of laminates that have different “feet” or use. An example would be an entryway that needs more durability than say a dining room where low traffic is expected. Laminate floors also come in click-lock and glue down varieties with prices proportionally varying for each associated with having different benefits.
Laminate Flooring Installation Price
Strong and durable laminate flooring installation cost is around $35 per square metre to $45 per square metre. This flooring cost does not include the removal of old floors, subfloors or carpet underneath. Unfavourable subfloor conditions can also increase this cost so it is important that you have a professional assess your subfloor before choosing laminate over other types of flooring.
By the time you factor in all these costs along with the purchase of new tools and mastic adhesive, many homeowners would be better off hiring a professional to complete their project for them since the average homeowner may end up spending over double what they originally thought they would on installation alone.
Cleaning Laminate Wood Flooring
The best thing about this type of flooring is that it’s easy to clean and maintain. Instead of taking a dust mop or broom to sweep up dirt, all you have to do is get out damp cloth and wipe your floors down. If you spill something on them then just follow the directions for what cleaner to use and it may be as good as new in no time. It’s important to remember that any liquid cleaners can cause damage to a laminate wood floor if not properly used. Even the steam from a regular mop can warp the floors so you may want to always be sure to follow directions.
How Can Laminate Flooring Be Installed?
Laminate can also be installed over existing flooring so if you have carpeting right now but want an easier way to keep your home clean, this type of flooring might be the solution you’ve been looking for because once installed there isn’t any additional work involved unless someone spills something on it. Then you simply get out a wet cloth and wipe away what was spilled while it’s still wet.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Laminate Flooring
The cost of your flooring is going to depend on a number of factors including the type that you choose, the brand and how many square meters you’re going to need. For example, if you have a large area then this may obviously drive up the overall cost because it may take more laminate boards to complete the job.
Homeowners could also look at things like whether or not they want installation included in their quote before making a final decision about what company to hire since some contractors include everything while others only offer materials and leave out installation costs. This can be an important factor because if you get stuck with cheap materials but still end up paying through the nose for installation then it’s not really saving money at all which is what most homeowners are after.
Finally, you’ll need to consider whether or not you’re planning on doing the installation yourself because this is going to cut back on your overall costs as well. Now if you have a very small area then paying for professional installation might be a waste of money so it’s something that each homeowner needs to think about before hiring someone to do it for them.
How Long does Laminate Flooring Last?
You could be able to get 15 years or more out of laminate flooring depending on the brand, how it’s cared for and what kind of warranty is offered by the manufacturer. That said people often choose to upgrade their floors after about nine to ten years if they want something that looks different but still provides all of the benefits that you’re looking for in your home.
Types of Flooring
There are three main types of flooring that are popular with homeowners today: carpet, hardwood and laminate.
Each type comes with its own pros and cons which you may want to think about before making a decision. Considering what your needs are, how much money you’re willing to spend and if the area of flooring is appropriate for each type of flooring then choosing the best option may be easy.
Carpet Flooring
The carpet is nice because it’s soft to walk on, but they are difficult to clean and you can’t really do anything except vacuum them. They also tend to get dirty over time and need regular cleaning which is rough on your back since you may need to carry out a bucket of water and heavy scrub brushes in order to get the stains out.
Hardwood Flooring
If you want something that looks aesthetically pleasing then hardwood might be the best choice for you. It comes in many different varieties including traditional, contemporary, rustic etc. depending on what type of decorating theme you have going on in your home right now or want for your home in the future. The only downside with hardwood floors is that there is no padding underneath so they can be cold to walk on in the winter months. On the plus side, hardwood floors are highly durable and may last you a long time if you maintain them properly.
Timber Flooring
Timber is more natural and aesthetically pleasing than laminate and hardwood, but timber floors may cost you close to $100 per square metre just for installation alone. You also need to be concerned with humidity which can damage the timber flooring over time depending on your local climate.
Vinyl Plank Flooring
Now if you want something that’s easy to clean and install in your home then vinyl flooring might just be the best option for you. You can even get vinyl flooring with patterns on them to give your home a unique look. Unfortunately, this type of flooring isn’t appropriate in all rooms of your house so before making a final choice, think about where it may work well enough to not ruin things like appliances or furniture below.
Where Could I Use Laminate Flooring in My Home?
Laminate flooring is popular because it’s durable, affordable and easy to install. So you can use it almost anywhere indoors including kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, hallways etc.
If you take a close look at the laminate flooring that is used in public places like malls, airports or hotels then this is obviously one of the highest traffic areas which means that you need something that won’t constantly be ruined by people walking back and forth across them all day long. Laminate flooring can handle even the heaviest types of foot traffic so if you’re working with a big room where there may be lots of movement then this type could work perfectly for you.
What are Some Common Mistakes Made When Installing Laminate?
There are many different ways you can finish off your laminate flooring so that it looks great with any decorations or furniture in the room. A couple of common mistakes homeowners make when installing their new floors is to use decorative tiles to cover one side then go with a large, bare expanse down the rest of the hallway. This may result in something that doesn’t seem finished and is even more difficult to clean.
Another mistake with laminate flooring is using too much border which completely covers up the wall beneath it just like the tiles mentioned above. To avoid this, think about how you want your space to be used before making final decisions on design elements like borders and what they could look like.
