Glueless laminate flooring is one of many engineered flooring products used as an alternative to ceramic tile flooring, wood flooring, carpet and tiles. Laminate installation is easier since the floorings are manufactured with special groove and tongue edges that can easily click and hold together without adhesives. Glueless flooring is currently the most popular commercial laminate material in the market.
You can use glueless laminate flooring to repair flooring disasters, replace tattered carpets and cover up floor eyesores. It is a cheap alternative to improve the appearance of wood flooring and can be used on almost any surface, including concrete, linoleum floors and other hardwood floors.
There are do-it-yourself home kits for installation, but it is suggested that you pay for professional services to do the laminate installation. Adhesives can be used for reinforcement purposes. For warranty purposes, protect your newly installed floor, by using a moisture barrier. Also use a water based sealer or glue on the plank’s groove side to protect the flooring against spills. If installed on stairs, use glue and nail down the stair moldings.
Avoid washing your laminated floor with water. A film of moisture may be left after your have cleaned the floor. If some fluids remain, unsightly bubbles may appear on your laminate hardwood flooring. Use cleaners purposely sold as spray-on for hardwood and laminates, and are best suited for your specific laminate flooring.
Installing laminates adds huge value to your existing property. The costs you incur for the home improvement should offset against this advantage. Here are some factors to considered, before purchasing glueless laminate flooring:
- Start with only a small area, if laminate installation will be your first home improvement activity.
- Test a remnant of the material for dents and scratch-resistance.
- Buy the laminate materials from the same lot to avoid variations in color.
- Estimate the quantity you need and make provisions to have a box of planks on stock, in case a design is discontinued, or there are damages. Keep the leftovers.
- Be careful in purchasing engineered flooring at a discount. The product may be inferior and not worth the expense.
- Check out if the laminate material can be used on any kind of wood flooring, ceramic tile flooring, or carpet.
- Ask about the prices offered and if the flooring was designed for commercial use.
- Purchase the laminate installation kit the manufacturer offers. For the foam padding, you can look for a better quality material to use.
- If the laminates will be used on stairs, make sure that the material is not too slippery and can safely be used on stairs.
- Make sure to confirm and get a guarantee. Find out if the warranty offered is for only a number of years or a lifetime warranty.
Choosing the best manufacturer of engineered hardwood laminate floorings is a matter of personal choice and depends on how it suits the purpose for which the product is to be used. Quick Step is turning out to be a preferred choice by some consumers, but there are other reliable manufacturers like Kronotex, Armstrong Flooring, Pergo Flooring, and The Harmonics product lines you can consider as well.
