Buying Tips for
Laminate Flooring.
Laminate flooring is becoming a clear of choice for homeowners
looking for rich patterns, durability and affordability. Over the years.
Laminate floors are extremely durable and wear resistant. Easy quick and
simple cleaning. Laminate is sold in planks, Tile patterns that are glued or
snapped together and can be laid over most other existing floors (excluding
carpet over pad). Laminate is one of the only floors that can be installed
over ceramic tile. Each board is constructed with a core of high density
fiber board which is very moisture resistant. As with most hard surface
flooring, laminate floors can scratch so floor protectors are recommended. (
legs of sofas, chairs, table so on. ) A new laminate floor can dramatically
improve the look of any room. But keep in mind, your new flooring isn't going
into an empty room. The style of your home, the size of the room, your
existing furniture and even wallpaper can impact what kind of laminate you
end up selecting.
Room size. If your room is small, choosing a lighter
color laminate will actually make the room appear to be larger. A larger
pattern on the floor can also expand the room visually. If you're working
with a very large room, using rich, darker tones will absorb available
light--and create a warmer, more intimate environment for you.
Existing furniture & cabinets. Depending upon the look you're trying to
achieve, there are two very differing schools of thought. If you want a very
cohesive, comforting feel, select flooring that coordinates closely with your
current furnishings and cabinetry. If you're looking for something a little
more dramatic, choose flooring that contrasts instead. If your furniture or
cabinets are mostly brown hues, we'd recommend staying with brown rather than
flooring with red or gray tones. White or almond cabinets look great with
virtually any floor. And painted cabinets can often pick up an accent color
in your floor pattern.
Color. Darker wood tones usually have a more formal or traditional
look, while lighter floors lend themselves to more casual or contemporary
styles.
Light sources. How any floor will look in your home will be
greatly influenced by the amount and kind of light you get. The size of your
windows, what direction they face, and the kind of artificial light you have
in your home will all play an important role in how your new floor will look.
It is always best to view your flooring selection in the same lighting that
will be used in your home.
Scale and pattern. Coordinating your new
floor with your existing wallpaper isn't as hard as it might seem. If the
wallpaper or fabric used in the room is large scale, select a small-scale
design or board on the floor, and vice versa. If you plan to use several
floor patterns in the room, our experience is that you'll get the best
results by using one small, one medium and one large pattern. That way your
design won't be too overwhelming or too busy.
Design. Again,
your flooring isn't going into a vacuum; it's going into a room with its own
style and flair. Consequently, the floor you select should complement rather
than dominate the other design elements in the room. If the design of the
room is simple, you might want to consider accenting it with a
stronger-patterned floor. If you've already created more of a distinctive
style, though, a wise choice would be to pick a floor that picks up on the
existing colors and patterns in the room.
